Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-03
NORFOLK FIRE REGION
IS UNDER NAVAL GUARD
City Rapidly Resuming Normal Con-
ditions. Although Transpor-
tation Is Impeded.
WOMEN SERVE HOT COFFEE
As Precautionary Measure, City
agcr Asks Authorities to
Place Guards at Portsmouth to
Watch Terminals and Stations.
WOMEN SERVE HOT COFFEE
IaY Associated Pre.al

NOR 'o1slSs1 - yT1.A:l / sai1nary 2. 1.-THE
city tonight IS rapidly rcsuminEF nor
NAL conditions. although transpcrta-
ton facilities arc greatly impeded by
fire ruins. fallen wires and a driving
enowstorm. which has prevailed prac-
tically throughout the day.
SmoldcrinE ruins. blocked streets.
.ce-corercd frc-fightinE apparatus. and
the steady tramp OF naval guards, arm
ed with police night sticks, cover the
two squares and abutting streets, the
scene of yesterdays disasterous fire.
There has been no change i'll the cas-
ualty list or the estimated losses. still
placed at s2,000,000.
The zone under military control last
night which practically included the
entire business section west OF Bank
and south OF Freemason Streets to
tine water fronts. was to-day restrict
cd TO the actual fire area and inter-
sectinE streets. made dangerous by
leaning and tottcrinC fire ruins. In
other sections only a careful watch
Is being kept by Department of Jus
tice agents. the police and naval
guards. Admiral Mclean, with ample
naval forces, at the yard and roads
base. has assumed charge OF the pa
troll cS tho fire area and other import
ant sections. to assist the police. To.
night tho fire area and business sec
tions arc under naval control. Pa.
triotic women are serving coffee and
hot lunches to the boys in blue qua rd !.
ing the fire ropes.
AS a precautionary measure to-day,
city Manager Bates requested the ma.
val authorities to place guards at
Portsmouth. and tonight the busl-
ness sections. important waterfront
properties, ferry terminals, railway
stations and streets and pro1crt,- ad-
Jacent to naval reservations are un-
der military patrols.
Admiral Mclean. comma ndant of tho
navy-yard, is handling the situation
for tho authorities. ausmcntin: the
home guard companies with squads
or blucjackets under naval oiIlccra
These patrols arc on all corners and
at all important points and structures.
Theatcrs. public halls and meeting.
places were forced to close at l.. NJ.
Business houses closed at 10 O'clock
tonight
Federal AGENTS CONTINUE
ROUNDING UP SUSPECTS
Police and Federal agents arc con.
tinutEg to round up suspicious c;,ar.
acters and nnemy aliens and subject
Ing all to close scrutiny. In a great
majority of cases, the suspects arc re-
leased upon investigation. A few are
being held for further inquiry. Wild
ruHors OF men caught red handed con
tinue in circulation. but Investigation.
show their irresponsible origin. Wh.th
cr or not any of these still under ar
rest have been indirectly connected
with the fires is doubtful Both .ha
police and Department Of Jrs,ico
agents are pushing the investigation
with determination IL apprchend Tho
guilty party or parties. should IL bo
disclosed that tho fires were Of an in
cendiary nature or that "A plot had been
formed by enemy aliens to burn tho
cEy's business section.
1t is freely admitted that the ORIGINS
of the firos, to say the least, were
peculiar, but it is pointed out IL |,
was un inccndiary plot that 1t was
actuated by wantonness rather than
any aim to cripple the government b.
the destruction OF property essential
(Contirued ON 1ThfI5 P,rs