New-York tribune., 1918-01-27
u. S. Pier at Newark
Burned; Suspect Spy;
Damage, $5OO,OOO

NEWARK, n. j., Jan. 26.-Firc broke
out at 1:40 o'clock this morning on a
4,500foot pier at Port Newark Termi-
nal, and for nearly twelve hours threat
ened the entire vast Federal plant with
obstruction. The shipbuilding plants
On the kearny Meadows arc only half a
mile away. he damage is estimated
at 100000. A government pisr near
warehouses of the Quartz smastcr's
Corps was destroyed. with a dozen
freight cars and seven barges, carry
Ing 500 barrels of oil.
The government is spending millions
to make Port Newark Terminal a great
supply base. Twelve warehouses are
being erected at cost Of S7.O0O,00O,
p!ers are being built, canals dredged
and drowned land reclaimed.
The fire is regarded by officials with
suspicion The fact that soldier was
ilrst struck on the head and then got q
bullet through his hat when he climbed
10 the roof of temporary warehouse
strengthens their suspicious. AS is
customary when government property
L destroyed, military commiss ion
VIII conduct an investigation. Major
GENERAL W A. Mann so announced to-
Aght after viewing the ruins of the
Ier.
An extra company of soldiers from
lamp Merritt had been patrolling the
terminal all week as precaution
against the spies whose plot was said
70 s, De on the point of consummation
Inc place also swarmed with Secret
service men and agents of the Depart
ment of Justice. In the confusion
caused by the crowds that edged as
t'Vse as possible to the fire lines the
.ppldiers fired an occasional shot into
.ne air to restrain any rash spectator
rom lodging through the line in the
smoke and shadows.
more than twenty men and women
we're arrested by the numerous guards
N N the course of the fire, and one, An
.sew w Evanof, who said he mas a me-
tuIatical craftsman, was held at Police
q. aM.eaaaquarters here until late tonight
-; ~ she request of the Federal authori-
,; HeS. he was released after being ques-
a moned by District Attorney Lynch ard
n,noS,eflnment agents. Several blueprints,
..nn'Lludlng 10 plans of buildings, were said
nave been found upon him Federal
iimclals denied that any person had
soS Soea shot for refusing to halt at a
nI'ty sna order or for any other reason,
of 'a ueclared that report that scores
y, prisoners had been taken to Ellis
Island was false.
mo- NO. was pointed out, however, by a
,saa ssaa IN Federal service, that if impor-
NIL mi arrests were made the prisoners
CvoaOiy would be taken straight to
tbs. tbvaerhor's Island or Ellis Island, and
for :, would be the last heard of them
ev;ae ene duration Or the war, unless the
d;,.encc against them warranted in
TSil'eht m tor treason
cra,n ne pier which burned is of con-
rooe e,e construction, but its sides and
lsna.s lo. are OF wood. For about half it's
;nns.n ;n. 1t lies beside a canal connect
n;su s with Newark Bay. The rest of the
fronts on the bay.
pna., w. Parker, corporal of the
TSaau' w. was the first to see the flames.
yl;n'nh l;;ron his eyes first caught the unusual
Of ooff'.h,'er, liner, a wooden booth ut the side
and Ile pier was virtually consumed.
Il nelore Parker could give the alarm
., uropped to the ice below, a mass of
s'o"ing embers.
bofa'he bnfs 'he soldier shouted the alarm and
SHIRE the tugles took it up Il great
itsels OF flame shot up from the ice
elosnn ana cnvcloped the pier. Moored
a. TO the spot where Parker saw the
ou'n glow Of the fire were seven barges
comeu by the American Export Oil
Of pJahy n;J and loaded with 500 barrels
and r' !, Leaking oil had flooded the ico,
~ was into u puddle Of the in