The New York herald., 1871-09-15

the headquarters OF the Fire Department. IN Mercer
street, and had an interview with the chief clerk,
Mr.. Charles E. Gildersleve. The first question
asked was whether Messrs. Klueber Godschmidt
were duly licensed for the manufacture Of
THE MuRDERoUs "UNIoN ToRPEDOr
Mr.. GILDERsLEvE-No. sir; they were not The
license was repealed on the 10Th OF last June. Mr..
Godschmidt applied repeatedly for the renewal OF
the license. He very persistent in his efforts.
lie came hore often with fresh arguments with
which to convince me OF the pretended safety OF the
union torpedo" He brought several samples, and
on one occasion tried to demonstrate practically the
Impression which he wished TO make upon my
mmd. Taking one OF the torped0es he laid 1t on
that window sill there; then he took hammer ana,
with preliminary flourish. gave 1t
THE GENTLEsT TAP IN THE WORLD.
The shell cracked and rolled apart, disclosing the
nucleus, little explosive ball. about the size of
very small pea. part Of 1t was disintegrated into
fine white powder. This started to brush up
with my finger when he exclaimed, 'tStopi stopl 1t
might-might be dangerousp' made up my mind
that 1t was dangerous. Doubtless ne knew exactly
where and how to tap the torpedo. and II any one
else had approached 1t with equal audacity he would
have encountered far less gentle result. On the
18th Of June wrote him letter forbidding him to
make or sell any Of the explosive fireworks OF which
he was the inventor, or to allow any other person to
make or sell under his patent.
REPORrER-He did not comply with your order2
Mr.. GILpERsLEvE-No, sir. The Commissioners
have instituted i've suits against the firm for the
recovery OF the fines incurred by the violation OF
section OF the 'act in relation to the storage and
the keeping OF cOmbuStDle material in the city OF
New York." &C. The law says
No fireworks deonating works. cartridges powder rain
e. or e1SG,C shall G cy ssTess s be
such places In such manner and in such quantities
their discretion under permit by them granted
therefor and subject to De revoked at time by said Com
Section nine, defining the power to exact penal
| tieS:-
The said Commissioners their agents. under
hereby empowered at and all times enter into and
bastibie materials may lodged, deliver written
Sc. pf the proSons ia reerencs thereto Sna mos
Ss Or any secure M sas and pepS ssa 60 eTss
And in OF neglect or refusal on the part Of such occu
them so amend or secure the within
hs e ans d ss to sn s
imposed the sum Of 90 aud The further sum OF So for
sSs asy: u0s ossss to remove amend or secure The same
REroRrER-who are the persons to whom Kueber
& Goldscnmldt sold the t0rpedoes alter you re-
pealed the censes
Mr. GILDEKsLEvE-Tney are Stephen s. Mares, 81
Meen ae Keary ~ IarSYe Vson M sree @
cases came up three weeks ago in the THIRD District
Court, but were adjourned until next day. The
action was commenced Immediately after the 4th
or July. As soon as asceralned what dangerous
| articles these "Unicn torpedoes" were l 1nl-
| medlauely notified all dealers not to keep
! or sell them, aud the order was complied
with except In few instances. On July 13
| the wisdom OF this action was demonstrated by an
accident which occurred IN the store OF Mr.. q. Lust
! kuche, at No. 252 Washington street. A box con-
| tainlng $4,000 OF the "Un0n tOrpedOes" was
| ploded, blowing man across the street. Only two
years ago man in store in Maiden lane attempted
| They exploded, and. though by miracle unhurt,
the man was covered from mead to foot by the fine
| white powder dlsintegrated and looked like mil
| ler.
In conclusion Mr. Gildersleve said:-"we have
done all that we could to stop these fellows from
selling this article, ana 1t has only been through
the laws delay that we have not taken hold OF
them before. / think that they not only sold the
goods at No. 1926 Bcehman street, but that they also
did portion OF the manufacturing there, although
the main factory Is at Williamsburg. hope that
you VIII tell the public that we have done our
| duty"
ANOTHER LEGAL POINT.
Another gentlemanly attache OF the Fire Depart
law likely TO be OF interest TO those interested in
| THE PUNISHMENT OF THE GUILTY ONEs:-
In any person By the explosion any
ac has been subjec to sanitary licensed
therein provided and death eefro the
found guilty OF selling the shall he deemed guilty of
felony and conviction shall be punished by Epe of
ment the State Prison for than
five years and in OF bodily injury
party injured maintain action ges aga
| The party violating the provisions OF this act
| In view OF the above legal facts it ia presumed
| that The guilty party may be brought TO justice