20
TIIE MORNING OREGONIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1931
BIGPLAWTDAMAGED
550,000 BY BLAZE
.Willamette Iron & Steel
Works Crippled.
MORE THAN 400 MEN IDLE
Tire Under Furnace Room of Sliop
Proves Hard One to Fight.
, Much .Equipment Saved.
Fire oriir!natine under the fiance
furnace in the shop of the boiler plant
of the Willamette Iron Sc. Steel works,
t the foot of Seventeenth street.
XUtted the piling foundation and floor
of the plant about 4:45 yesterday
morninp, with damare estimated by
Fire Marshal Urenfell at between
350.000 and 160,000. More than 400
tmployes of the plant who have been
working- in two shifts during recent
months are temporarily, thrown out
of work.
Careful check will have to be made
before an accurate estimate of the
loss can be made, according to B. C.
ball, president of the company. A
superficial survey indicates that dam
age to the building is the greatest
less, according to Mr. Ball. Insur
ance carried by the company totals
310.000 on buildings and $1,434,000 on
contents, according to records of the
fire marshal's office. What percent
age of the insurance is localized on
the boiler plant was not made public.
Valuable Kquipmeat Saved.
riant equipment, machinery, ma
terials and work under construction
valued at thousands of dollars were
caved from serious damage by strenu
ous work of the fire department,
which had the fire under control be
fore it could break with full force
through the heavy floor of the build
ing or spread to adjoining buildings.
The building was discovered to be
on fire when In. W. 1'arrado, night
watchman, made his rounds at 4:45
A. M. Dense smoke poured through
the door of the bo41er room when he
upened it. G. W. Lewis, another
watchman at the plant, turned in the
alarm. Parrado turned on the
sprinkling system which is Installed
on the main floor and attempted to
Ket at the source of the fire with a
itand extinguisher.
Nineteen fire companies and two
fireboats responded to the call. Three
alarms and a special call were turned
in before Chief Young was satisfied
that the fire was under control.
"We cannot make a public state
ment as to the extent of our loss
or as to our plans for rebuilding."
aid Mr. Ball last night. "At present
any estimate on our part would b
icere guess."
Firemen found the building choked
with smoke, while flames were al
ready licking through the heavy floor
ing. The only access to the source of
the flames was from the waterrront
side, through a network of piling and
braces. Firemen carried tines tnrougn
the ice-cold water into the under-
structure and crept along boards to
ward the back of the building. Two
fireboats moored in the slips on
either side of the plant furnished
lines for effective work on the blaze.
Fight Frovea Hard Oae.
The structure of the building and
the location of the flames made
exceptionally difficult problem for
the fire-fighters, but the construction
of the mam floor and the material
tored upon it prevented the blaze
from spreading before the firemen
got it under control. The boiler plant
has a frontage of about 200 feet and
extends about 4u0 feet over built-in
river bank and shallow shore line.
Sawdust and debris from an old saw
mill formerly located there lay every
where beneath the building back of
the waterfront. Tiling and floor
were of exceptionally heavy construe
tion, however, and little inflammable
material was stored about the main
Xioor.
Both company officials and Inspec
tors from the fire marshal's office
trace the blaze to a flange furnace
'which had been in use till 11:30 P.M.
(Excessive heat from the furnace is
thought to have penetrated through
ithe protecting layer of brick between
ii and the floor and charred the
boards till a blaze resulted. Oil
caked timbers and other inflam
mable materials soon caught and the
blaze epread rapidly throughout the
structure.
As the fire broke through the floor
Into the main part of the building
flames licked up the wooden walls
and beams and destroyed windows
and sashes in the upper part of the
building. Pressure tanks filled with
oxygen and hydrogen in sufficient
quantities to have blown the entire
root off the building were close to
the fire. Fortunately none exploded.
(No injuries to firemen resulted.
One Main Opeaed.
Air pressure tanks in the basement
exploded but not with sufficient
(force or nearness to injure fighters.
A gas main underneath the building
exploded and its flames gave the
nlv licht to the firemen working I
their wn nhoilt heneath the buildinir I
Fire Chief Young was in personal
command at the fire, assisted by As
sistant Chief Laudenklos and Bat
talion Chiefs Crenfell and Delane.
Equipment summoned to the scene
was the greatest called out in the
city for a number of years, according
to Fire Chief Young.
Whether an attempt will be made
to restore the present building or
move equipment to another building
Is not certain. Plans for the erection
of a boiler plant at another eite are
said to have been under way some
time before the present fire. In the
meantime work on many contracts is
Interrupted and it is understood from
officials of the company that steps to
get the boiler plant in operation again
will be rushed as soon as losses can
te adjusted.
Foundation la "Weakened.
The foundation of the building is
greatly weakened, although the prin
cipal damage to the piling occurred
St a point where there is not a great
deal of heavy machinery or material.
The building is of exceptionally
strong construction and does not ap
pear to have sagged or given away
as a result of the fire.
Firemen remained about the plant
U day yesterday checking the small
tires which still smouldered in vari
ous places underneath the building.
The great amount of sawdust and
debris where the low ground 'had
been filled in years before the present
plant was built make a hazardous
condition as long as fire smoulders
near it. The site of the boiler plant
was occupied by the Western Lumber
company mill, which burned to the
ground early one morning about 20
years ago according to Fire Chief
Koung:
past few days, Elizabeth Stewart.
Pueblo, Colo., has scant faith in Postmaster-General
Burleson's service.
She has been penning epistles to the
Portland Chamber of Commerce re
cently, the latest of which came to
hand yesterday, and upon the inside
flap of the envelope, where not even
Burleson himself or his most expert
inspector could detect it while it was
making Its way through the malls,
she has written divers Invocations.
"Dear God. guide this letter," was
written on the flap of the letter
which came yesterday and which was
referred to fs.. B. Vincent, publicity ;
manager of the chamber, because .
Klizabeth Stewart sought certain In
formation concerning Portland which
his department could furnish.
'Take this to its destination," and
"God, help this to the right place"
were other "prayers" written by the
sender.
"Unless some of her letters have
not reached us, her prayers have been
answered thus far," said Mr. Vin
cent. "Whether the Almighty or the
postoffice department, or both, is or
are responsible, 1, of course, cannot
say."
10 HEMIK BILLED
ORPHEUM OFFERS 3-FEATCRE
PROGRAMME TOMORROW.
Albertina Hast'li, Danson.se; Thom
as Duray and Hampton and
Blake Star Players.
To follow the Annette Kellermann
bill, the Orpheum has assembled a
double-headliner. three-feature show
which in point of scenic equipment Is
one of the largest shows of the sea
son. The two headliners are Alber
tina Ranch, famous danseu.se, and
"For Pity's Sake." the comedy melo
drama which is so popular it makes
an Orpheum tour almost every sea
son. The third feature is the act of
Karl Hampton and Dorothy Blake
who entertain with "Beaucoup Nui
sance." This show will close its
Portland engagement with the after
noon performance next Wednesday.
Albertina Kasch this season is ac
companied by four of her star girl
pupils, and her offering consists of a
series of dances selected from the fa
inous ballets. Miss Hasch ranks high
in the world's list of ballet dancers,
and before entering vaudeville was
one of the dancing stars of the Metro
politan in New York. Her present
Orpheum act is staged magnificently,
and it has been extolled as being an
artistic treat. .
Tom Iuray, ex-newspaper stereo
types is the star of "For Pity's Sake."
Mr. Duray has the role of opera house
manager who is general factotum in
the presentation of the melodrama.
He works the scenery, supplies the
music and manipulates the storm,
whistle and other effects from a sta
tion in the loft above the stage. This
has the reputation of being the great
est laughing act in big-time vaude
ville. Hampton and Blake also are com
edy favorites. They have a new act
this season. It is called "Beaucoup
Nuisance" and was written especially
for them by Paul Gerard Smith.
THUG STILL FEE
4 M EX HELD IX STORE SHOOT
ING GIVE XO CLEW.
Ed Bostrom, Pedestrian, Wounded
When Robber Fled, Discharged
From Hospital.
Investigation of four men arrested
Thursday night as suspects in the
holdup of the Gradon & Koehler drug
store and the shooting of Ed Bostrom
did not develop evidence of complicity
against them. Charges of vagrancy
were placed against three of the men.
The fourth was charged with carry
ing concealed weapons.
La. C. Mc.Meen, who was carrying a
small revolver when arrested, was
fined Ji'j in municipal court yester
day. John Sabo was discharged after
a hearing In police court and John
Bailey received a 30-day suspended
sentence. The case of Arthur Shirev.
the fourth man arrested, was set for
February 21.
Police are still searching for the
gunman.
Bostrom's wound was not serious.
He was discharged from the emerg
ency hospital yesterday.
nifrher Light Rates Wanted.
LEBANON. Or., Feb. 18. (Special.)
The Lebanon Electric Light com
pany has filed an application with
the public service commission asking
for an increase in rates for service in
this city. A notice to that effect
was served on the city recorder this
week and the council has instructed
the city attorney to file with the
commission objections to the increase
of the rates now charged here.
Special Attention
Include in your next order for
groceries SILVERILE for TOILET
and DOMESTIC use. It is unex
celled for all toilet and household
purposes.
Also, order a package of SIL
VERILE WASHING POWDER and
convince yourself that it Is unsur
passed for cleaning clothes and
making them soft and white.
If you have any woolens, silks
or other fine fabrics to clean don't
forget to order also a IS oz. pack
age of SILVERILE WOOL AND
SILK POWDER. It. like all other
SILVERILE products, contains no
lye. acids, caustics or animal fats
and is superior to soaps or com
pounds and, therefore, does not
shrink woolens nor Injure the
finest fabric or fade colors except
those affected by water.
It is to your interest that vou
ive SILVERILE products a trial
ecause of its economical, efficient,
and sanitary features.
If your grocer or dealer cannot
supply you. any of the following
will be pleased to receive your
order:
Meter Frank
Old. Wartmaa A King
Twentieth Century Stores
People Store
National Supply Stores
SILVERILE CO.
' Portland, Or. '
lie Oregon Products
tlmi.iilllilllliilllllllillllllU
ENVELOPE BEARS PRAYER
Woman Writer Seems to Have but
- Little Faith in Postorfice.
Judging from evidence coming to
kand Irom time to time during the
Musical 1
1 Instruments
1 Sacrificed
2 Fre Lessons Glrea H
j Bemoval Sale 5
I McDougall Music Co. I
S3S Alder Street. E I
Between uu Broadway. Z.
SlIHIIJIUlllllllUlllIIIlilJlllllIUIIIilllllS
PARTY AND TABLE FAVORS AND DECORATIONS FOR WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, MAIN AND FIFTH FLOORS
Eastman Kodaks
and Supplies
We have full stocks of East
man kodaks and Brownie cam
eras as well as all kodak sup
plies. Get your over-Sunday
films here. We do expert de
veloping:, printing:, enlarging.
- Meier & Frank's: Main Floor.
New Books
"Seeln the Far Wfit," by John x
T. b aria.
"Mnra-ot Aaquith," an autobio
graphy. 31are Henry," an autobiography
by Henry Watterson.
"Memoir of the Empress
KuirDlr," by Comfe Kleury.
Tahill Day," by Hector Mac-
Quarrie.
The Reiara of Pattl." by Herman
Klein. Meier & Frank's:
Book Store. Fifth Floor.
(Mail Orders Filled.)
-aT
ErUMlaVa'
TtiEr Quality Store or Portland
Last Day of Our Annual Spring Sale .
Notions and Dressmakers' Supplies
One of the most important events of the spring dressmaking sea
son. Now is the time to fill up work baskets, sewing tables and
machine drawers with dependable sewing needs at saving prices.
Threads, basting cottons, braids, tapes, bindings, beltings, bon
ings, hooks and eyes, snap fasteners, needles, plain pins, safety pins,
hair pins, nets, mending cotton, crochet thread, etc., at lowest prices.
Meier & Frank's: Notion Shop. Main Floor.
Good Luck Brings for Saturday
Men's and Young Men's AH-Wool Suits
The Fruits of a Very Special Purchase
to Be Sold in a Very Special Way
About Half the Former Price for Such Suits
$15 $7.50
A Special Featuring
$10
Flower -Trimmed Hats
A Superb Collection of
the Most Popular Styles
for Early Spring Wear
$15 ,87.50 $10
Exceptional Values
Redolent of appreciably higher prices and typical of
the new lower prices in effect throughout our Millinery
Salons are these three groups of moderately priced
hats. All the vogue are these spring-like flower
trimmed hats of which" our artist has pictured three
characteristic models.
Also in These Price Groups
one may choose from scores of other equally smart styles
the popular directoire pokes, the new sailors and other newest
styles for spring.
Large Assortment
Tailored Hats
An authentic presentation
of smart tailored hats ex
hibiting all the newest blocks
in all colors. $4 to $18.50.
Hundreds of New
Children's Hats
Banded and dressy effects
a wide range at moderate
prices.
-Meier & Frank's: Millinery Salons. Fourth Floor.
(Alan orders Fined.)
Just In!
New Gingham
Neckwear
These dainty
new neckpieces
are just the thing
for wear with
the new spring
suits, dresses and
sweaters. Peter
Pan and roll
styles. Vestees
with cuffs to
match, also col
lar and cuff sets
with pleated frills and hemstitched
edges. Tan, blue, rose, pink and
lavender. $1.50, $1.75, $1.95 and
$2.25.
Embroidered Sets.
Other new arrivals include the
popular new yarn embroidered
sets collars, cuffs and vestees to
match. Made of organdie, voile
and cross barred material with
yarn embroidery in apricot, French
blue, jade green, light blue and
lavender. Set $3.50 to $4.25.
Special 35
Tab lace collar lengths in white
and cream. Venise and tatting
styles, 24 and 27 inches long. For
round, bib and roll style collars. 3
for $1.
Meier & Frank's: Main Floor.
(Mail Orders Filled.)
J
$3 Genuine
"Heatherhloom"
Petticoats
$1.98
New just received. Heather
bloom is a material that looks like
silk, washes well and gives good
service. Petticoats in navy, green
and tan with fancy combination
pleated flounces. 60 only.
Meier & Frank's: Third Floor.
Ready With a Complete Line of
New Tailored Suits for Spring
$35 to $98.50
Suits which evidence in every detail the impress of
superior quality and distinction may be chosen now at
the lower prices for which our spring apparel assort
ments are noted.
Featured garments are of navy tricotine, poiret twili
and gabardine. The varied styles and individuality of
tailoring permit of an admirable freedom in selection.
Smart tweed and check suits for spring wear have
newly arrived and can be chosen today.
For Small WomenT
New Spring Dresses
Are Specialized
Garments especially designed for. women of petite propor
tions are here in taffeta, canton crepe, tricotine, gabardine and
twills. Winsome new styles and colors newness is written
all over this assemblage. Prices as low as $19.50.
Sole Agents for "Miss Manhattan"
and "Co-Ed" Dresses
Meier & Frank's: Fashion Salons. Fourth Floor. (Mail Orders Filled.)
All Models and Sizes
Are to Be Had
in the Sale
Men and young men who are in the mar
ket for a new suit and wrant to be sure that
their money is placed to good advantage
can take up this proposition with assurance.
An Investment
of the gilt-edge variety is this which offers finely
made all-wool suits of plain and fancy worsteds at
$32.85. Single and double-breasted models. Good
patterns, including "banker's grays" and pin
stripes. .
All Sizes
See two Morrison-Street windows.
Meier & Frank's: The Store for Men. Third Floor.
(Mall Orders Filled.)
(t;l hit' 3
ilwiilW
fiiS
' ill!
Good to Know That
New Manhattan Shirts Arc In
Meier &
Better still to know that those we are
showing exhibit in their price tickets pleasing
evidences of the new lower costs which all of
us are so glad to see.
Fine assortment of these new Manhattans at $3,
$4, $5 and upwards.
See Morrison street window.
Another evidence of lower prices
Silk Shirts $6.85
(Tax 39c)
or 3 shirts for $20 (tax $1.10). Men who have lost
touch with their favorite silk shirts of late can
come in now and choose patterns to their liking at
a much lower price than they have been paying.
Rich, heavy, serviceable silks the sorts that used
to go exclusively into the higher priced grades- .
Frank's: The Store for Men. Main Floor. (Mail Orders Killed.)
. Fishermen! Attention! Now Is the Time to
Get Ready for the Salmon Season
Salmon have already been sighted at "the Falls" get your fishing tackle ready.
We have a full stock of light and heavy tackle, salmon reels, rods, lines, gaff hooks,
etc. We make a specialty of the celebratad Oregon spinners, all sizes and colors, 20c.
Complete Assortments of Golf Necessities
Meier & Frank's: Sporting Goods Store, Sixth Floor.
AH Our Genuine
Leather Suitcases
Regularly Priced $20 to $60
40 Off
Your unrestricted selection of our entire stocks of
men's and women's genuine leather suitcases, regularly
$20 to $60, at a saving of 40 per cent.
Bags and Cases
English Kit Bags
40 Off
5 only of these genuine wal
rus and hand board calf Eng
lish kit bags regularly $60 to
$85 at 40 per cent off.
Limited number of leather
and fabrikoid traveling bags
and suitcases in this sale at ex
actly half price.
Sale of Hartmann Trunks
$43.50
Were $59.50. Steamer size
Hartmann wardrobes of 3-ply
basswood with solid metal re
inforcements. Seven hangers,
top drawer.
$63.50
Were $77.50. Regular size
Hartmann wardrobes of 3-ply
veneered wood, with locking
bar, shoe box, 11 hangers and
laundry bag.
-Meier & Frank's: Sixth Floor. Mail Orders Filled.)
Extra Special!
Sale of 200 Boys' Suits
Formerly $30, $35, $40 and $45
$14.85
Less than half price for boy's suits regularly priced $30 to
$45. Suits from standard makers, majority being
Sampeck Triple Service Suits
but there is a good selection also of Woolwear garments as well as a num
ber of suits from other makers.
Carefully tailored of ALL WOOL materials in up-to-the-minute styles,
the best patterns and colors. Sizes for boys 7 to 18 years.
See Alder street window display.
Meier & Frank's: The Store for Boys, Third Floor. (Mail Orders Filled.)
12-Button Length
White Lambskin Gloves
$3.59
Just the thing for Easter wear. Excellent quality
12-button length white lambskin gloves in sizes 5 to
712. Fine values at $3.59 pair.
Meier & Frank's: Main Floor. (Mail Orders Filled.)
Sale of $12.00 to $14.00
Women's Low Shoes
$8.25
Fifteen styles to choose
from pumps and oxfords
including the following:
Patent, black kid and brown
kid pumps; brown and black
oxfords; bronze and black kid
beaded tongue slippers; patent
and mat kid pumps with beaded
buckles.
All sizes in the lot, but not in every style.
Meier & Frank's: Third Floor. (Mall Orders Filled.)