Delhi,
Dec. 1 -- The plant of the Sovereen Mitt and Glove Company here
was totally destroyed by fire at four o'clock this morning. The
plant [was] a new one, having been erected to replace the one
burned three years ago. It was a splendid brick structure.
The loss is
estimated at $40,000 with insurance of only $15,000. Thirty-five
hand were employed.
The cause
of the fire is a mystery, but there are suspicious
circumstances. While the fire raged it was noticed that the wire
had been taken from one of the windows and the bricks removed
from underneath.
The plant
had been working on Government orders for the soldiers for some
time past, the staff being engaged night and day at times. This
fact has aroused the suspicion that Alien enemies may have been
[r]esponsible for the blaze, and the Ontario department may be
asked to investigate.
Bruce
Whitside, the manager, was in Toronto at the time of the fire.
Mr. Whitside's brother, Capt. Leroy Whitside, was reported
killed in action two weeks ago, and his father, W. H. Whitside
who was identified with the factory, passed away six months ago.
