Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-29
BIG SEATTLE PIER
GOES UP IN SMOKE;
Loss is S1,O0O,00O
Fire Was Incendiary German
Sympathizers Suspected,
So Are Japs
WATCHING FOR rs TONS
W MlkO GLYCERlNE
Wilhman, a LOngshOreman,
Held On SuspiciOn---5OO
Bales Of Cotton Burned

Seattle, WASH, Oct. 29-Although the
police were holding d. Whitman, a long
shoreman III connection with an ineend-
larry fire which swept pier IA last night
and resulted in "A loss estimated at prac-
tically $l,000000, investigation today
developed two other theories as to the
origin Of the blaze
One theory is that Japanese might
have caused the fire in revengeful
spirit, because-of their hatred of Chin
ese members of the crews of Blue Fun.
mel liners, which dock at Pier IA.
Another is that war feeling of Ger.
man sympathizers had been wrought up
over the fact that the dock contained
about $250,000 worth Of exports des.
tined to Russian ports, and that the
Blue Funnel line was reported to have
been carrying on q heavy traffic with
the allies under charter, really, by the
Russian government Damage result
ing from the fire which was the third
incendiary attempt on the dock y
week, is estimated at between $750,00f
aud $l000,000.
Silk Cargo is Safe.
The pier itself, the entire second floor
and much of the first floor of which is
In ruins, is said to be damaged to the
extent of about 100000 according to
William Day, warehouse foreman.
The Blue Funnel liner Ixion had Just
finished discharging a $4,O00,0O0 cargo,
a great part Of which was silk, which
was loaded direct on board cars and
shipped east by fast freight. The rest
Of the cargo, however, remained in the
dock
Probably 100000 worth of pig tin
stored in the east end of the dock, il
was thought could be saved with little
loss, and 100000 worth Of rubber may
be only partial loss.
Other freight destroyed included
$1,000 eases Of Chinese tea, 1000 bales
Of hemp, 1000 bags of rice, 1000 bags
Of corn and a large quantity of BAN.
boo and rattan in bales, and manufac-
tured furniture, as well as 1000 tons
Of miscellaneous goods.
Two othe Attempts Made.
Two previous attempts to fire the
pier on Tuesday failed. Last night 3
fire started shortly after the employees
had quit work for the day and was dis.
covered about 645 O'Clock. The flames
were shooting up through the roof and
out Of the higher windows. Only des.
perate work on the part Of the firemen
prevented the flames from reaching ad.
joining piers.
Willman, the man arrested, is said to
have made remarks 10 r. B. Brad
dock workman before the fire, thu
caused the latter to be suspicious. He
repeated the conversation 10 the po.
lice.
Bradshaw said he and Willman we're
in nearby saloon shortly before 6il5
clock and that he said TO Willman
that he was going to work at Pier IA IN
q few minutes,
"Don't be too sure Of that" said
Willman, according 10 Bradshaw, and
after the fire started, he Is alleged to
have said, az told you you might not
work at the dock tonight. Pier five
will be next"
Announcement was made today by
reliable waterfront sources that 5000
bales Of cotton, valued at about $780,
900, destined for Russin, were burned
last night when Pier No. IA was dc.
stroyed by fire.
Cotton Is essential in the manufae.
ture Of explosives.
DOdwel and company, limited, an
English shipping firm, which operated
the dock, denied, through its local man.
ager, A. r. IIaines, that any such
amount Of cotton was on the pier
he placed the amount at fabout
800 bales"
d. whitman, longsboreman, arrested
'aftof the fire because Of an alleged
conversation with another longshore.
man in a waterfront saloon in which be
is said to have predicted the fire, was
examined behind closed doors today by
Chief Of Police Lang, Captain Of De.
tcctiyes Tenant and Fire Marshal
Harry Bringhurst. WiIlman's story
did not satisfy the officials and he "a
held on an open charge.
Afraid M pvnloaiva