The Phantom Fire-Starter of Tacoma

False alarms were the source of much trouble to the firemen yesterday. An alarm was turned in during the afternoon from box 51, North I and Twelfth streets, which proved to be false. Another one came in last evening and the department made a run to box 121, located at Jefferson avenue and Twenty-fifth street. The box is in front of a saloon, and it is supposed that some half-tipsy fellow pulled the box and then made his escape. Speaking of the matter, Chief Poyne said: 'These false alarms have been the cause of a great deal of trouble and expense lately. Many of them are telephoned to the station and we believe the same fellow does it every time. A short time ago we received a message to the effect that there was a fire at Elevator A. That is the worst run we have, and we questioned the party who sent the message and found that it was a false alarm. The maximum penalty for turning in false alarms is a fine of $100 or 30 days in jail. It would be a good thing if the council would offer a reward for the detection of the offender.' Someone evidently likes to see the fire department horses run.