The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-12-19
Now Il Can Be Told:
Eastwood Demanded Public
Be Kept in Dark While
800 Tons Of INT Loaded
CITY ENDANGERED

Holmes Eastwood. Tacoma. commissioner Of public
sar ~, WEDNESDAY Ms ban against official nsws
in his office six days
Likewise the commissioner remained silent concerning
The Times invitation that he take the public Into his con-
tdence concerning an official "u,imatum" handed him
that brought about closure order against illegal liquor
traffic and bsseae gambling
Meanwhile. Times editorial executives scanned with sur
prise kastwoods statement. published Tuesday in
interview that Tacoma newspapers arc unimporant in
Times. in particular has cnoperaed with him.
Times editorial directors decided
THAT the and contents Of the "umatun which
caused strict exercise Of city police powers the local
enderon for the first time IN months VIII be revealed
this week
he does write 10 them and they have coopca,cdmost
recently against their better Judgment and his request
letter signed by Commissioner Eastwood and received Dec
D. 1910 from rseoma's department, Of public safety;
INSTRUCTION. received ., hi. office advss. that
the ~ =. Cascade will load powdsr In this city b.
tween Dec 10 and Dec. 20. 1910.
that you make mention 81 the ns6as II this baal
In newspaper either before after h loaded.
Thanking you In ancipaton Of your eospsratise.
tsisned) "HoLMEs EASTWOOD.
Commissioner of Public safety"
On this OCCASION others Tho Times and Tacoma's
other daily did cooperate with thu commissioner of public
safety. They did although uneonvinced they had the
right to conceal tho following from the public Of this city,
Although charged with maintenance and guarding
TO about his fellow citizens and the city that
pays his salary officially p~smitisd transfer from
train To ship III 400 tons NJ INT trinitro tsluoi.
The Of explosives Il the high ssas hound
for the munitions works Of China via the burma road.
Hondled Carefully
The Times Is well that the explosive was handled
carefully that the pier guarded by ths Coast Guard
and by periodic police patrols.
The Times In well that such traffic IL profitable
TO wharf operators To brokers' shippers that premium
wages paid onsshoremsn for handling II and the
ships
But The Times reminds the Of public safety
and the Tacoma eitxenry Of the Halifax and Black Tom
tragedies Of the last Safety precautions taken
then and there. too.
u. S. Order Recalled
Once explosion occurs through sabotage accident
all the safety precautions possible win not have changed
the result.
Experts do agree as the degree Of risk taken
OF 1000 tons, lesser amount In this harbor would
shatter this city
The Times Ia Of the fact that months ago the
u. treasury department acting under the presidents
declaration Of limited state Of emergency ordered no
publication of arrivals and sailing Of Of b<g-
erenta.
In No Other N. w. PORT
But The Times does believe that the treasury de-
partment the Coast Guard tho eitys commissioner Of
public safety, any other authority has the right
endanger this city and its people under the cloak Of such
order.
And The Times points that in no other American
port city the Pacific Northwest do officials charged with
guarding the public safety permit such traffic.
They. Too. Are Concerned
The public safety commissioner. by his admssioa