New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-14

Tho coueea NJ this accident should be dehnltcly
oscertained The danger that is involved in manu-
facture NAV opply. as it did in this instance, not
only TO the occupants of the factory and the people
who were buying and selling in the store below, Dut
also to those who were in the adjoining buiid-
ings, and even to passers-by In the open
street. Ncw-York is only in part cohiuer-
oal city; its manufactured products ciosely ap-
proach i'll value, and at some periods s'rpass us en-
tire commerce. The factories are generally inter-
mingled with dwellings and stores. and frequently
are in the same buildings. everyDodys DuSihess
in this city to know what risks they constantly
running-risks of life and property--nor can they
afford to let everybodys business be accounted
as nobodys.
In previously considering the probable cause OF
the explosion we have pointed out the possibility
that it may har, occurred through the catching fire
of the dust of tie materials used in making candy
especially as to tho corn starch, which, If mixed III
certain quantities with common air. forms
violently explosive compound when lgnlted.
This theory still remains open. There is less evil
dence than there should be as to the amount OF DUST
in the all OF the factory. 1t is noteworthy that thc
starch took fire in one of the rooms where men were
using it, during the brief moments before
their escape; thus showing that IL Is
highly in1ammable. There have been several
instances recently of this sort of explosion. One
occurred in the great brewery of Allsopp's ale, at
Burton-on-Trent, and was caused by workman
bringing lighted candle to examine the
malt-lifting apparatus, which consists OF q Sc
ries of cups carried on band through
a pipe. The fine dust of the malt happened
to be mixed with just air enough to explode. In one
of the largest flour mills Of Minnesota, an out
burst of flame took place few days ago
lion IinIH aCf
the TradestOn mills of Glasgow; the dust igniting
from the millstOnes when the feed to them was
deficient in a recent Parliamentary examination
rs TO the causes of mine explosions it was shown
that the danger of their occurrence is enormously
increased if the air of the mine is even slightly
charged with coal dust.
Previous testimony has tended TO show that the
amount of chOrae of potash on hand III the candy
factory was small. A correspondent OF HE Tribune
two or three days since made the statement that the
quantity was as large as thirty pounds, and that
this was as explosive four or five times the weight
of ginp0wder. The observation may be accepted as
to the exposiyeness Of the chlOrate, with some re-
serve. Alone. that chemical is not inflammable !;
mixed with sugar. train of it will flash much
quicker than gunpOwder-a fact which can
he easily shown by ignitng trains of the
two, side by side. when the flame of the
gunpowdcr will move along its tram
with comparative slOwness. To make chlorate OF
potash ozenges. there must be an intimate mixture
with sugar. and probably with starch, all groundiine
This would be a very inAammable, and ylOentlyex-
posye compound 1t could be gnitedquite easily, by
grinding the mixture in shaping the lozenges
under pressure The details of manufacturing these
lozenges should have searching inquiry. The dan
gerous character of such mixtures is perfectly well
known to druggists, yet an apottecary OF many
years experience in this city, some months ago pro-
duced violent explosion. burnt his face and singed
his hair, by trIturatng together the chlorate OF
potash sugar, and tannin. 1t should first be ascer-
tanned what the rules for using the chlorate III
making the ozenges; and then whether, If the sys-
tenn was safe one any of the wOrkmen broke the
rules When these points are cleared up we may
know whether the carelessness which produced the
explosion was in whole or in part the fault of the
candy manufacturers.