Valdez daily prospector., 1917-01-05
HOUSING MASS
 MEETING HELD.
TAXES CAPACITY OF CITY HALL
AdjOurns to Court House Where Ac- tiOn Was Taken to Raise Funds for Detecting Firebug-Large Amount Pledged for Purpose.

How great the interest taken by the people of Valdez in the r"ceyt fire and the attempt to appr sh end tho firebug was manifested last night at the mass meeting called by Mayor Patterson to consider ways and mr; IS of experimenting the criminal.
 Promptly at the appointed hour the citizens began to gather at the city hall, and within a few minutes that building was filled to overflow ing and motion was mate that the meeting adjourn to the court house. which was placed at the disposal of the meeting. This was carried and by the time the meeting was called to order again the seating capacity of that place had been filled and stand ing room only was available for the late corners.
 In opening the meeting Mayor Pat terson stated briefly the reasons for the gathering and called upon those present for an expression of opinion as to what action should be taken. Attorney T. J Donohoc wds called upon by the Mayor and stated that there was no doubt in his mind, and he was confident that a nl,JI'ty of those present held similar views. that the fire was not accidental but de- liherate attempt to burn up the town. He believed that a reward should be offered in sufficient amount to attr lct skilled detectives to ferret out tue guilty party or parties. He believed that $1, ,500 would be none too large a sum to offer. He said that Marshal Brenneman had informed him that he had the situation we'll ir hand and believed that in two or three days more he would have the guilty party or parties. He believed it would be we'll to give the Marshal the time he asked for before taking any action, and then if Marshal BrenneLlan was not as successful as he hoped to be the people should then he prepared to take immediate action. He sug- gested that the Mayor appoint com- mittee of five members to solicit sub scriptions Mayor Patter ;o staied that he believed this plan would meet general approval and that he would name the committee later.
 Dr. S. w. Merritt suggested that to save the committee work collection be taken up then and there.
 Harry E. F. King suggested that if there were any persons in the towG who was in the possession of any in formation which might lead to the arrest and conviction of the firebug or firebugs. they should be impressed with their duty to impart such infor- nation to the proper authorities.
 John Biggs made motion that a reward of $500 be offered at once for information leading to the conviction of the guilty parties. This moticl was seconded and carried.
 MT. Donohoe stated that he did not think the reward sufficient to secure proper talent to run down the crimi- nal or criminals, he believed that no reward of less than $1,0O0 should be offered and was prepared to contri- bute one-tenth of that amount him. self; though not less than $1.50O should be offered.
 J. c. Martin suggested that 1t would be a good plan to combine the two and raise a fund of 5000, of which sum $500 should be applied as per the motion of MT. Biggs and if this was not productive of resu;.s within a few days to offer a reward of $1,50O for the apprehension of the criminals. He was confident there would be no difficulty in raising the whole amount.
 MT. Biggs and MT. Donohoe ex- pressed their approval of this plan, and it was suggested that the offer of a reward of $500 be made as n as possible. This suggestion mt with the approval Of the meeting and the Mayor named J. c. Snyder as & member of the committee to solicit subscriptions. Mir. Snyder declined. as did H. M. Sailing. The Mayor then called for volunteers. Peter Leigh ton, Dr. Merritt, Arthur Pinkus. Por- ter King and H. M. Conrad resp md ed to the call.
 Meyer Blum suggested that the off,