New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-27
THREATS OF MORE
FIRES RECEIVED
But Nobody Will Admit Finding
One in His Mail

Federal aid, through the secret SER
be given in running down New
Britains maniac ''firebug," OF bugs
if proof is secured that local manu-
featuring interests and property own
ers have received threatening letters
by mail with warnings that 1.-The end
is not yet and more is to come"
Widely circulated reports are to the
effect that number of such letters
have been received. Mayor George A.
Quigley, police officials and other au-
thorities say that no report Of such
letters having been received have
reached them.
Hartford was again visited by
several fires yesterday and last night.
branded as of incendiary origin and
esembling, in important details. those
of Wednesday night in this city. In
official circles locally, it is today re-
ported that proof of incend1arism was
found with indications that chemicals
or other highly inf1amable material
were used. Local authorities are
keeping in close touch with those of
Hartford and nearby cities. There Is
feeling Of suspense and uncertainty
as to whether the person. or persons,
responsible for the fires will continue
his activities in Hartford, return to
this city for q visit or take trip INTO
some other section of the state. Re
!! ports received by local authorities are
that the departments Of other clues
are taking extra precautions.
New Hose Arrives.
Five hundred feet of new hose or
dered by telegraph and rushed to TINS
city by express, arrived today, giving
the local department more than lo'ooo
feet of serviceable hose. There are
three hundred additional feet on the
way.
Chairman Babcock Of the safety
board has today made arrangements
with a local manufacturing concern 10
furnish him with supply OF IRE
lines" badges for use by representa-
tives of the press, gas ana elecIlio
light companies as well as otner au-
thorized persons, not members OF the
police and fire departments. Inc
badge will be numbered, the numbers
and persons to whom they are issued
heine kent on file. Abuse of privi-
1eees and transfer of the badges to
others than the persons to whom they
are issued will result in withdrawal.
It Is expected that they will be ready
for distribution tomorrow or Thurs
day. As soon as they are received, the
police department will be given orders
to maintain fire lines at every hre ana
exclude any without Identification.
Detectives, professional and anna
teur. are svarming about the city and
outskirts A number have called at
police headquarters. Other expert
operatives of we'll known national
agencies have been recognized about
the streets. Although officials are
reticent, it is reported that a num-
Der of the largest manufacturing
concerns have retained men on their
own account.
Damp paper in a furnace at F. H.
Affords property at ia Franklin
street caused a smudge yesterday aft
ernoon, filled the house with smoke
and caused much concern. Engine
Co. No. 1 responded to a still alarm
about o'clock, the firemen making
a thorough investigation.
AS far as can be learned, none of
the many clues coming to the au-
thorities has led to anything but a
blind trail. The many reports and
complaints to the authorities have been
Investigated but without any success.
1t has largely simmered down to a
policy of watchful waiting.
Watch Being Maintained.
Police Vigilance has not been re-
Taxed. With extra men and super
numeraries on duty, chief of Police
William J. Rawlings has ordered the
utmost precautions Not only are the
members of the night detail directed
to keep close watch about the
streets but to make frequent inspec-
tons of back yards. No chances are
to be taken and suspicious characters
will be taken to headquarters for
close questioning. 1t is proving
poor season for those who celebrate
unwisely but to we'll and then try to
find their way homeward late at night
as the list of "drunks" in police court
daily indicates
Actlon has already been taken to
procure a supply of special deputies
badges for use in an emergency when
volunteers are needed to maintain
fire lines or assist in handling ap-
paratus. These badges will be kept
in reserve, in case it is necessary to
swear in special officers at any time.
Appreciation of what Plainville,
Hartford, Waterbury and Bristol did
in New Britain's time of need has
been shown. In addition to the let
tiers Of appreciation voted by the safe
ty board, Mayor Quigley has written
to the authorities Of each place. APP
probation is felt of Plainville's action
for it sent it's only piece of modern
apparatus and half it's tire-fighting
force.
It is expected that a motion will be
introduced at tomorrow nights ad-
journed session of the common coun-
Gil to appropriate $50 each for the
departme that responded to the
call for aid.
JJpOn A. teIeDhone messag pa from