Newport Wants the Firemen's Tournament — and the Crowds That Come With It

As a result of the visit of Chief Anderson and Eugene Weimer, of the Newport Fire Department, to the Inland Empire Firemen's Tournament at Sprague, Newport may make a bid for the 1911 tournament.

On behalf of the fire department Chief Anderson made application for membership in the association, which was readily granted. The association at present consists of the towns of Davenport, Ritzville, Cheney, Sprague, Medical Lake and Lind.

The annual tournaments of the association prove a large drawing card, bringing many people to town. As a result there is a keen rivalry for the holding of the tournament. Medical Lake has the next opportunity to have it, but owing to the fact that Newport is a new member of the association, and that there is a desire on the part of the firemen to visit this section, it is practically assured that by asking for it Newport can get the tournament for 1911. Interest in this section is greater than we are aware of, and the opportunity afforded for entertaining visitors in the way of a boat trip down the scenic Pend Oreille will help us in landing the event.

The tournaments extend over a period of three days. Many interesting contests in running and handling of fire apparatus take place, these athletic contests drawing large crowds that are otherwise not interested in the work of the fire departments. In order to get the tournament it is only necessary for the local department to hang up the cash prizes, which in the recent tournament amounted to about $800. The local team is not barred from entering the contests and has the chance to keep a part of the prize money at home.

Chief Anderson has been taking up the matter of going after the 1911 tournament with a number of business men of the town and finds them practically unanimous in the idea of guaranteeing the firemen the amount of prize money. At Sprague, where the last tournament was held, the business men of the town were more than satisfied with their investment in the celebration, the large crowds that came to attend the event making the venture profitable.

Not only the business side of the proposition is to be considered, but the advertising that will accrue to the town from the large number of visitors from the Palouse and Big Bend countries is worth taking into consideration. Every effort should be made to bring the town into the foreground of public notice, and this opportunity of doing so should not be overlooked.

Furthermore the efficiency of the local firemen would be greatly increased by the practice necessary to put them in condition to compete at the tournament. Anything that will increase the efficiency of our fire fighting force and keep them together and in fighting trim should be encouraged by our business men and citizens, if it does cost a few dollars to do it. Let's get together and back the firemen in securing the 1911 tournament.