New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-23
Investigation by State and
City Throws No Light on
Bomb Plot"
LOCAL MILITIA WILL
REMAIN ON GUARD
Precaution Taken to Pre-
vent Disorder if Fire
bugs" Should Return

Iron star Correspondent Of The Tribune
New Britain, Conn. Feb. 22.-lnves-
tigation to-day by municipal and state
authorities of the series of incendisry
fires which brought this industrial city
under martial law last night has de-
yeloped only mystery favored with
sdpposition.
Both Mayor George A. Quigley and
William J. Rawlings, chief of the Po-
lice Department. are inclined TO accept
the theory that the motive of the cellar
FIRE plotters was TO terrify the citizens.
None of the officials will admit, how
ever, that any evidence has been dis
covered 90 show that the brief reign Of
hysteria which came with darkness yes
terday was staged 70 give New England
and the country in general an example
OF the internal disorders which might
be contingent upon the entrance OF the
United States into the European war.
The plotters-if there we're any
have vanished. Six suspects arrested
while local hremen and volunteers, as
sisted by auxillsries from three nelgn-
boring cities, were fighting the slmul-
tsneous fires were released to-day. Al
though there is nothing TO Indicate that
New Britain may be visited again by
the "frebuzs," every precsution has
been taken 10 prevent recurrence or
last nights disorder.
Militia to Stay on Guard
Two local companies OF the National
Guard will remain on duty guarding
public buildings and public utilities
until further notice. the Mayor an
rounced this afternoon. Special guards
have been organized by the manu-
facturers to keep watch over the nu-
rerous factory buildings, which VIII
be Illuminated at night. Members or
the militia and the civilian guardsmcn
assisting the police carry rifles loaded
with ball cartridges. They have or ters
10 shoot without hesitation az night
providers who are unable TO explain
suspicious actions.
Among the mysterious aspects which
have not been explained satisfactorily
By any Of the authorities who believe
the fires the result OF a plot are, first,
why the alleged incendisries selected a
hardware centre instead Of city
where munitions are manufactured Tor
their alleged demonstration, and. sec
ond, lust what method was used 20 KIN =
die seven basement fires along hall
mile axis OF operation within an hour.
New Britain has never been consid-
cred in the list Of munitlOn msnutac-
turing cities such as Bridgeport. Wa
terbury and Hartford. which Governor
Holcomb had in mind when he referred
recently 20 Connecticut as the arsenal
OF the nation Several local concerns
have taken subsidiary contracts from
the American Can Company and otner
agents for the Allies, but in each m
stance the orders have been OF secon .
dsry Importance 10 the daily output OF
builders hardware.
Found Bomb in Cellar
Hugh Reynolds. owner of block on
Commercial Street, which was dam
aged by fire last night, Is authority. TOT
the statement that the fires were KIN
died By means of chemical oomo
timed TO burst into flame Vnen tne
acid contents had eaten through me
container. lie is of the opinion tnat ne
discovered suCn a NOuLilF dtiNo IA
cellar when searching for the nre wnlch
subsequently, spread to a wholesale veg
etable and fruit depot on the moor
above. Robert VI. Dame, chief OF the
Fire Department. reports that none OF
his men found any remains OF incen-
diarv bombs while making their lnVes-
tigation to-day. Conflicting stores are
heard concerning muftied explosions
which accompanied the outbreak Of the
successive fires. .
Relief in the fire bomb theory IS
strengthened by reports from srtford.
where the police are alleged to have
found evidence of such plots after the
$3.50 900 fire which destroyed L. Fox
Co.'S department store ana al "uJ0'"
ing building two weeks ago.
With the exception Of Hstch's block
on Main Street, which was damaged 10
the extent of about $4,000, the hres
here caused only small losses.
-.r,rrp M'VENNA APOSTLE