Who Was Blowing Up Seattle's New Sewers?

City Engineer Thomson and the board of public works have been busy for several days investigating the mysterious breakages in the ironstone pipe sewers laid in the last six months. Although other explanations exist, the weight of evidence points to explosives used by some malicious person. Thomson reported broken pipe in groups on the Rollin Street extension between Fifth and Ninth, north of Lenora Street; on Eighth Street just south of Lenora; on Seventh Street; on Olive Street; on Brook Street; on Fourteenth Street near Melrose Avenue; on Hazel near Twelfth Avenue; on Twelfth Avenue between Hazel and Gould; on the curve entering Gould Street; and in the Kenney and Weller Street sewers. The inspector later found that over 100 of the 18- and 30-inch pipes were also broken, making a grand total of 221. In every large group there appears to be a pipe at the center almost completely shattered, with cracks running in every direction, and the breakage shades off in each direction. The first theory—an explosion of sewer gas—was dismissed because most sewers have never been used and are thoroughly ventilated. Three theories remain: vibration from earth thrown into the trench during backfilling; unequal expansion from warm air over pipe in cold, wet clay; or dynamite or giant powder placed in the sewers to destroy them. The last is most favored. The wrecked sewers are large enough for a man to crawl through, and a charge could be placed with a time fuse or floated on a board in the water. City officials were unwilling to talk and, when asked who could have a motive for blowing up the sewers, were mum. The bitter feeling over the work and the employment of non-union bricklayers are among the suggested explanations. The investigation is being pursued with vigor.