The New York herald., 1877-12-18
EXPLOSIVE FREIGHTs.
AN EXPERIMENT DEMANDED BY THE MINERS
POWDER COMPANY TO TEST THE CHARACTER

AN EXPERIMENT DEMANDED BY THE MINERS
POWDER COMPANY TO TEST THE CHARACTER
OF THE MATERIAL.
The HERALD expose OF the danger to which the trav-
eug public subjected by tho carriage on trains Of
high explosives has created q decided sensation. The
President Of the Miners Powder Company, Mr.. George
H. Reynolds yesterday addressed TO Mr. Tousey, the
General Freight Agent OF the New York Central and
HUDSON River Railroad Company. letter demanding
Investigation upon the subject OF the transporta-
Iion OF "vigore, and strong request that he would
competent aud disinteresed expert to examine
tho whole far related TO the storage hand
ling aud transportation OF the compound. The whole
expense OF such examination Is TO be borne by the
powder company. In the conclusion of his letter Mr.
Reynolds says:-"l think this much is due TO your
road the public ana ourselves would also suggest
that some representative oi tho NEW YoRK HERALD
that journal having taken the initiative IN this por
tant tinvestigaton-shoud Join In this examination II
you think best Please noliiy me when l
for with you and arrange for the expert
msnts." Bong called on At ms oaiee, No
explanation that he did not Diamo the newspapers tor
taking up this matter; he supposed that The public
had right TO know whether they were travelling with
powder magazine, but he claimed that Tue object OF
his letter 10 the freight oi the Central
road was 10 have test made whicn should % perfect
and satisfactory TO demonstrate that The high explo-
sivcs were not dangerous to handle And transport.
superintendent Beach, who, IL Will be remembered,
holIs exactly contrary views to the above, claiming
that friction ns well concusson would cause e.plo
oil all dynamites, saic-"l have no iaut to ind
with the HERALD report except where an inference
Ight be druwn tnal was inimlcal 10 Dir. Reynolds
the head oi the Miners Powder Company. This Is not
lonly hold to my opinion In regard TO the danger
OF carrying these hgn explosives on railroads unless
the transportation companies carrying them kn3w
precisely what tney are dong; each package should
be marked plainly, 80 tnat might DO properly stored
and handled and not az II they were 50 many boxes
OF starch soap. -
NJ InAi G "A
Powder Company, explained 10 the reporter that their
did not manufacture ''rendTock" powder
only back powder, the high explosive named being
compounded by another hrin Upon inquiry, how
ever, writer Was informed BY an expert tnnt all
these strong black powders extensively advertised
Turck ioid the writer that their company had been
transporting their powder the railways TOR years
WHAT ARK HIGH ExPLosIvEsS
A scientific geptlemAn, thoroughly conversant with
the matter, said This Is subject oil vital moment
10 which the HERALD has called attention. am anx
ious the experiment with these high explosives
made, aud us the company Interested in 'vigorIte'
willing 10 make u Test hope II Will be done
thoroughly and speedily. There is, however, TOO
mucn ignorance IN regard to the terrific power OF
ents OF explosive force remain inert unless the
condition oi chemical reaction Is supplied
Tnis the case " ordinary powder, Is produced by
the direct contact vi heated body; III the
matter o high explosives by pressure percussion.
l am inclined also 10 agres with those who Deliove
glycerine compositions when IN a congeaed STATE.
Tue various busting powders are manufactured IN
large quantities Dcre the design Is 10 Hit and split
rock rather than 10 throw H. anu modern prac
tce tends TO the employ OF the nitro-glycer
compounds. he composition Of this substance is as
m