The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-13
WHO FIRED THE MAGAZINE?

ANOTHER SEARCHING EXAMINATION OF CON-
TRACTOR M'ANDREw.
The investigation into tho cause of the recent OK
posion Bergen Hill resumed last evening" before
the Fire Commissioners, at Jersey CITY, Corporation
Attorney Stout was present
Alfred Pye testified that he conveyed occasion
fifteen OF rend rock powder the magazine be-
longing TO Contractor McAndrew; nc assisted by
william Brown, who atferward killed by tho cx.
poslon at "Black Tom" Island did not to the maya
zine himself; the carried IRON the wagon
by Mr.. Brown, who obtained the receipt and employed
HIM TO carry the stun he had idea what quantity oil
powder WINS In tho magazine; Brown informed him
that no previously supplied contractor ON the hill
Mr. John McAndrcw recalled--Thc orders for this
powder gwen by my clerk, Louis Breezy, who alb
seconded lately 10 escape arrest Tor forgery In my Office
and Is now IN Philadelphia; the present clerk, Emmett
Reynolds, has been in my employ only two or three
weeks am head OF the tunnel; don't order tho
DER don't know what quantity has been received from
Commissioner Martin--Do you moan to tell Us that
you at the head Of that tunnel and have 10 pay all
the bills ana yet don't know much powder Is
ccved and paic ors A. don't attend to Tho ordering
delivery Of powder; have four superntendcnts who
attend to tho different anches OF the work pay Tor
the powder by check drawn by my son or my clerk
forbidden by the specifications TO nitro ycerno
giant powder in the tunnel employed no watchman
TO guard the magazine.
Mr. Mariiu--Wno gave you the contract for that
ncly A. Mr.. samuel Sloan, President Of tho Delaware
Mr.. Van Riper-Having admitted that you rchd
rock powder, have you not then violated the terms Of
your coniracty A. have not.
Dont know that rcnd rock contains nitro gycer-
ncg A. believe II does, but would not swear to t.
Several questions were put 10 the witness with the OBJ
Jcct OF ciicitng direct reply but without effect
Mr.. Stilsng insisted that 1t had boon clearly proved
that the conditions Of The permit had been violated
lie then called attention 10 the refusal OF the powder
man Surns) 10 appear In answer ID the summons OF
the Board The Corporation Attorney had gwen his
opinion that tho Board could apply to mo courts
order TO compcls Burns 10 attend.
Mr.. cumb rsun, resident Of tho Heights whose
property was damaged by the explosion called,
the Board OF Fro Commissioners 10 the dangerous
proximity Of the magazine but hs understood that Mr.
Charles J. Roe complained 70 connected with
the Board and the magazine was soon after removed;
the OF Mr. Rocs complaint storing OF tho
powder m old tool chest the sidewalk faii-
SADIE avenue.
Mr. steele another property owner In tho vicinity,
testified that he many twelve fifteen boxes
OF the powder conveyed IN wagon 70 the magazine;
could not tell how much was stored there besides
Tho Investigation then adjourned. chief OF
Police Champney and Inspector Murphy were n at
proceedings After tho meeting dispersed, Burns. the
much desired witness who was summoned but did
not present himself, stood before group and
the investigation during the entire evening. When
asked why he did not appear when Ccmms soner sui
sing alluded to his Absence he replied hat his
not called Hc Is evidently determined to stand
tcchnicaiitics and the commissioners are equally
determined 70 bring HIM before the courts I9r con.
tempt Burns also takes the ground that MS real namo
IL hcpcrmo,t, and his name was thus entered on tho
tunnel pay roll
several property owners. who attended the nvestiga-
ton, complained OF another grievance IN connection
with the tunnel IL was expected that the large brick
vcntiaors rising from each shan would be reared TO
height Of at least twenty-five feet TO carry the
smoke arising from the tunnel over the house tops.
shaft No. !, which Is completed, has vcntlator
which IS ons sixteen feet square and fourteen feet n
height The responsibility TOR this nuisance rests on
the Delaware. LacKawanna and Western Railroad Com
pany and the properly owners are determined ~
bring the case before the Grand Jury " trains shaiI
be through the tunnel whic tho shalt vcntIators
remain at such height.