Los Angeles herald., 1910-10-09

All doubts as to the nature of the
explosive used to wreck the Times
building shortly after 1 o'clock S3tur-
day morning, October l, when m IRE
than 20 persons lost their lives in the
fire that followed, and the cause of
the rapid spread of the flames that
burst out of every window and door
on all floors of the structure, have been
dispelled by the report of the dyna-
mite experts appointed by Mayor Alex
ander to investigate the matter
The members of the investigating
committee found that the explosion
was due to ID heavy charge of nitro
glycerine, or d product of nitro-glycer-
! ne that 1t was placed in the narrow,
rooted passageway known as Ink al
( lev" which extended easterly from
! North Broadway ON q level with the
street; about 80 or 80 feet from the
street line, and over tne basement
which was used as a press room.
The question regarding the quick
spread of the fire which enveloped the
entire building within less than ten
seconds after the explosion has been
explained by the fact that 25 barrels of
printers ink was stored in the alleyway
where the dynamite was placed. This
ink is a petrol product, and under
certain conditions is highly infiammable
In compact form it is not dangerous
say Tie eApeTIS, DuI WlGIl II 10 OlOWlA
into a spray it has inflammable and
explosive powers similar to those of
gasoline multiplied three or four times.
The fact that sheets of flame were
bursting from every window and door
in the building almost Immediately
following the shock that was felt within
radius of more than half milo
is due to the fact that the barr els OF
ink were shattered and the stuff forced
upward and sprayed in all directions.
TWO REPORTS HEARD
This solution of the puzzling matter
is supported by the fact that many of
those who were near the building at
the time declare that they heard two
distinct reports, the first explosion be-
ing quite heavy, and the second e1-
plosion, which followed almost imme-
diately. being perceptibly lighter.
The explanation of this disputed
point also is borne out by the fact
that almost every man who escaped
from the wrecked building was covered
from head to feet with splotches of
printers ink. Ink was blown into the
composing room of the Herald through
windows opening to the north.
1t is understood from statements
made by persons familiar with the ac-
ton of high explosives that nitro-gly-
cerine exerts force upward and out
SAiNNN
force of the explosion tore the barrels
into fragments, broke the ink into the
finest particles which ignited and ex-
ploded setting fire to all parts of the
building.
The committee that investigated the
r'atter and definitely determined the
cause of the explosion is composed of
Frank A. Garbutt, chairman; Gen. Q.
j. Sweet, H. Cushing, J. S. Carman, II.
II. Fosdick Charles Wellborn and Will
liam Mulholland. With the exception
of Charles Wellborn, who is police
commissioner, every member of the
committee is either an expert on eX-
plosives or has handled them to
great extent.
THE report of the committee, which
is signed by every member except Mr..
Garbutt, who is out OF the city, is an
follows:
COMMITTEE GIVES OPINION
Los Angeles, Cal, Oct. s, 1910
Hon. George Alexander, Mayor of
the City of Los Angeles.
Dear Sir: Your committee, to
whom was referred the matter of
the investigation of the cause of.
the destruction of the Times build
ing at the corner of First and
Broadway at about l o'clock "a. m,
October /, 1910, makes report as
follows:
The investigation of the disaster
was taken up Immediately upon
the appointment of your commit
tee, which appointment was made
on Saturday, October 1, at II
o'clock a. m. The committee at
once organized, appointing Mr..
Garbutt as chairman. and proceed
ed to view the ruins. The fire at
that time was under complete con-
troll, though still smoldering.
1t was decided that an inspection
be carefully made OF the proceed
ing of clearing the debris, the work
of doing which was inaugurated by
the city under the direction of the
street department, the primary pur-
pose being to recover from the
ruins at as early a time as pos