Q.  Wliat  did  you  do  with  regard  to  it?  A.  It  was  referred
to  a  committee  and  I  had  to  appear  for  a  hearing.
Q.  How  many  went  up  with  you?  A.  Usually  three,  besides
myself.
Q.  You  went  up  to  attend  hlearings  on  thait  bill?    A.  Yes,  sir.
Q.  How  many  times  did  you  go  on  that  bill?  A.  I  think  five
times  in  both  houses.
60

Q.  Is  it  not  a  fact  of  wMdh.  you  have!  been  imformed  thait  in  all
the  fire  departments  of  the  State  thlere  has  been  a  collectiom  of
money  aanong  active  flremien  for  the  purpose  of  payiimg  expenises
of  committee  in  attempting  to  resist  that  2  peir  cent,  tax  a.ct?
A.  1  have  heard  it  ruimx)ired'  thtroiughout  the  State.
Q.  Whep  did  you  commjence  to  raise  mjomey  for  the  pa-ymeaat
of  expenses  of  that  fight?  A.  Immediately  aften  the  Legislajture
adjonrneid  last  year.
Q.  Tell  us  about  it?  A.  The  officers  came  together;  they  hlad
not  received  aaiy  ■  assistance  from  other  mjembeirs  of  the  depart-
ment; they  ha;d  then  a  secret  orgamization  of  their  own  and  dSldl
not  take  any  actionl  in  amythimig  offiioers  were  conneoted,  witfe;
so  we  came  to  the  conclusioiQ  that  we  had  the  whole  matter  of
this  2  per  cent,  tax  on  ouir  hands  and  organized  for  that.
Q.  About  thkt  time  did  the  offlceirs'  association'  collect  money
with  reference  to  that  fight?  A.  We  collected  some  foir  legiti-
mate expenses.
