Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-05
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
Tests Of . New High Explosive for Quarry
ing Purposes
West Washington Baptist Church DC.
cupfed Yesterday for the First
Time-New Club Formed.

A test Of the new explosive called cerbe-
rite was given Saturday afternoon at the
stone quarry on the Canal road, north SIDE
just east of the Chain bridge, which is
leased by the company having the contract
for erecting pier No. of the Aqueduct
bridge. The explosive is the invention of
Count S. D. Smolianinoff. and in it the
American government and the Russian
government are interested. The advan-
tages claimed for the new explosive cou-
pied with its destructive powers are such
as to make a formidable feature of future
warfare.
The test Saturday was to demonstrate
the value of the explosive in quarrying. w.
Baron Fersen, the naval attache of the
Russian legation; Mr.. James l.. Norris An
drew Gleason and a number of other bust
ness men were present to witness the test
While the explosive is manufactured by
Count Smolianinoff, DR.. c. NJ. Buckley and
Mr.. Hendricks, both of Washington, are in
terested in furthering its production and
use The United States government is re-
ported to have placed an order for 500
pounds of it, which will be thoroughly test
ed at the Indian Head proving ground on
the lower Potomac.
Prior to the actual test Saturday the
safety in handling the new explosive was
demonstrated. A tomato can partly filled
with. cerberite and giant powder was con-
nected with a fuse and cap, which when
ignited resulted only in the explosion of
the powder The new compound was then ex-
ploded in another test making a much
louder report. A hole was drilled in large
loose stone, and this was filled with charge
and the stone broken into fragments The
most severe test was the filling of a charge
in a drill hole about seven feet deep in the
side of solid front of rock The first
charge was attended with a mishap, but
the second cracked the face of the stone
in several places. Another test was more
successful. The last attempt was in
drill hole al hrpn
stretch of rock. The hole was too shallow,
and the charge blew out a space around
the drill hole. but otherwise made no i'm
preston on the large surface of the rock.
The results of the test were regarded as
perfectly satisfactory by the inventor and
many present. but the quarrymen enter
tanned different view. The explosive did
not seem to them to POSSESS the lifting and
raising power of dynamite for Quarrylng
purposes. By the other tests made cerbe-
rite was lighted and burned slowly without
danger, while no amount of friction could
make the powder explode.
New baptist Church Occupied.
The opening of the West Washington
Baptist Church, corner of 31st and n
streets. formerly the Gay Street Baptist
Church, occurred yesterday with appro-
pirate ceremonies. For little over year
the members of the congi egation have been
without suitable place to worship, the de-
struction of the old frame church by fire.
the delay attending the plans of the new
building and the work of its erection haN-
ing occupied the Intervening time. Pend
ing the improvements services have been
held in Baer's Hall, at the northwest cor
ner of 31st and NJ streets.
While the congregation worshiped in the
new church yesterday and will from now
on, the edifce is far from being COM
p!eted. Only the lower floor, the lecture
room, has been fitted up for occupancy, the
auditorium on the main or second hoor
being still in an unfinished condition.
Rev. w. S. o. Thomas, to- pastor. con-
Quoted the services at IL O'Clock Yesterday
morning He delivered an appropriate ser
mon to a large congregation In the even
ing, at 730 o'clock, Rev. G. E. Truett, who
has been interested in the progress of the
new building, conducted the exercises ana
preached a sermon.
In honor of the occupancy of the new
! building, the congregation will hold SER
vices every evening this week, with the eX-
ception of Saturday. This evening at 7:3O
O'Clock special exercises will be held, at
which addresses will be made by number
Of ministers, as printed in The Star of Fri
day Services will be held tomorrow even
which Rev Frank H. Haxenner pastor Of
the Dumbarton Avenue NJ. E. Church,
will officate.
Dumbarton Club Organized.
The Dumbarton Club, an organization
planned upon the lines of a country club,
was organized Saturday evening, at we'll
attended meeting of people interested In the
project. The meeting was held at Linthi-
cum Hall. on o street. and the names of
200 people as members of the club, We're
presented The intention of the founders is
to limit the membership to about 800. and
establish club house at the old residence
known Mount Hope on Z street, near sd
street, Georgetown Heights. Tennis courts:
croquet grounds bowling alleys and golf
links will be established for the benefit of
the members. Arrangements for the lease
of the club house are now pending
are: President, Mr.. J. Holdsworth Gordan;
first vice president, Mrs. E. c. Mathews;
second vice president, Mr.. David Ritten-
house; third vice president, Mr.. Walter
Wheatley; treasurer, Mr. William Dougal;
secretary, Mr.. r. C. Powell: board of gov
errors, Mrs. Y. N. McAvoy, Mrs. Forrest
Dodge, Miss Annie Snyder, Mrs: A: W
Cox, Mr. William A. Gordon, Mr.. Henry S.
Matthews, Mr.. R. Douglas Simms, DR..
Louis Mackall, jr.: Mr.. William Wheatley
and Mr.. Joseph Bradley
Change at Local Post Office.
A change in the Georgetown post office
was announced Saturday evening. whereby
Mr. E. ]. Birch, formerly assistant super
intendent, was promoted to fill the position
of superintendent. Mr.. VIM. A. Hutchins,
the former Superintendent, who was ap-
pointed several years ago, has been made
assistant superintendent. The annual sal
airy of the superintendent is $1,000, while
that of assistant superintendent is $1,000.
Condition of MIR. Thomas.
Mr.. George Thomas of BIOS P street, who
slipped on the sidewalk near the Corcoran
Art Gallery, sixteen days ago, breaking his
leg, is still at the Emergency Hospital,
Washington. Friends fear that the acct
dent may cost him his limb, the continued
swollen condition of the member prevent
ing a timely resetting of the bone.
Miss HearS's Death.
The death of Miss Minnie Heard occurred
yesterday at the residence of her brother,
Mr.. Aloysius ]. Heard, 912 18th street She
was untiring in her devotion to her aunt
Miss Mary Kilduff, whose illness resulted
fatally five weeks ago. After the death of
her aunt she gave up and was stricken ten
days ago with the illness which terminated
in her death. The funeral will take place
from St. Stephens Church at 8 o'clock to-
morrow morning, and the interment will
follow at Holy Rood cemetery.
General Mention.
Mrs. George w. Castelar, and the Misses
Castelar, left New York today for Paris
NH