Valdez daily prospector., 1917-01-15
KAN|Tz HEARING Noy UP
 BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER

none smelling of oil. On cross-exami- nation said he was sure of time and date. Kanitz seldom came into his place. Remembered we'll Did not suspect fire or even think of it. Mere ly aroused by smell of kerosene and
 examined lamps fearful of leak.
 Deputy U. S. Marshal c. w. Moss
 man then took the stand for the gov
 ernment. Testified he did not see
 Kanitz until after the fire. He went
 down to Joe Braxton's residence, he
 thought about 9:30 on the morning
 of January 2, and took Kanitz into
 custody. Said Kanitz had voluntee-- ed no information, but in reply to questions had stated that on the eve ming of January 1 he had gone home about 8 o'clock and retired about g, and remained in bed until the fire broke out. On cross-examination he said he did not have a warrant for Kanitz's arrest, just went down and took him up to jail.
 Arthur Pinkus also testified for | the government Said that on the night of January 1 he remained at the Empress theatre until about I1O:25 packing up some films, and
 then went up to the postoffice to mail paper. Saw Kanitz at the intersec- tion of Broadway and Mckinley and spoke to him. Received reply. On not mistaken ill the date. Was pos itiye it was not the night previous.
 Knew the man spoken to was Kanitz. Streets we'll lighted; passed within six or eight feet of him.
 J. D. Jefferson, former postmaster. was next called by the government. Said occupied cabin on alley back lot formerly occupied by Senate saloon. Same alley ran down across Broad way and parallel with Mckinley street to Alaska avenue. Had been sleeping on his boat on the water front recently. On night of January 1 went to his cabin about 9 o'clock to attend to fires. Went down to boat and on arrival there found he had
 forgotten his glasses. Went back to cabin. On way back to boat saw a man coming up alley back of Blum's store saw him pulling up collar of I his overcOat as though just putting
 on or just coming out of some warn
 place. Met man in middle of Broa l.
 way and saw it was Otto Kanitz.
 Spoke to him, received short reply. Thought this was nearer 10 o'clock than g. Went on to his boat and re- mained until ire alarm was given.
 Came up town, found Jack Callin's place afire, and went on to his own
 house to pack up. Carried some things from his house out and across
 Front street, when he saw kanitz drawing an empty sled coming from the direction of Keystone avenue
 This was about 30 minutes after he came uptown. Saw him several times later at distance. Regarding changes made in block for the post office said they consisted of repaper- ing the interior; that no new floor was laid, but old floor patched up in places, and a window and door nai!- cd up. Known MT. Kanitz for num- 1 Der of years. Said business men had agreed to pay certain sum each month to get postoffice there. Kanitz stated that they had not done so and he was very dissatisfied with arrange ment; that Suessdorff had not done right. Made no specific threats but said he would get even. Said he was not getting enough out of the rent
 and wanted to get rid of the office. On cross examination insisted Kanitz had complained of not getting his share of the money paid by mer- chants. Rent from government SIS per quarter. Agreement between Ka- lnitz and government covered period of ten years. Said when he saw Ka- nitz in alley he wore overcoat and cap. Was ordinary length overcoat. On redirect examination. said after taking goods from his house to Front street, saw Mrs. Kanitz standing in door of her house. She asked him to help with children. Took one boy over to Keystone avenue and left him and went back to assist further. Mrs.
 Kanitz told him she could get along all right. Later met Otto and spoke to him about fire. Otto stated so far
 his place was all right.
 L. F. Washburn was called for the ,government. Said he was baker, employed Blum's bakery. Bakery | (Continued on Page Two.)