The age-herald., 1900-01-27
DYNAMITE WORKS.
 IN THE TRANSVAAL

Miss Roy Devereux. the trave1ing corre- spondent forone of the London newspapers, has just published a book which she calls "side Lights on South Africa" setting forth therein the knowledge she gained in re- cent extended journey through the British possessions and the two Dutch republics Not the least interesting of the many cities and localities she visited are the great dynamite manufactories near Pre- toria. owned and controlled by the great Nobel trust which makes most of the high explosives used in the world The works are not in the immediate vicinity ofs the TransVaal capital, for rather obvious req sons-the same which have operated to keep them at a considerable distance from one another. But permission to go through them must be obtained at Pretoria from Alberto PhlllEp, whose father is the man. aging director of the great trust, and who is himself in charge of this. branch of 1t. The branch line of railway to the works joins the main line att Zuurfontein, and upon reaching that point Miss Devereux found not only a saloon car of the latest design awaiting her pleasure. but a fine luncheon prepared in it in quite the man ner of an American dining of the bet ter class. She was introduced ito Dr. Hoenig who Is an immediate direction of the works and her partial inspection began as soon as Modderfontein was reached. The works, instead of being in compact sym metrically arranged buildings, like other factories, were distributed over several square miles.
 Five distinct settlements, each with its appropriate workrooms and residences, are included in the establishment. In order to prevent the disappearance of more than one-ffth of the works at time-thouSh no explosion has taken place so far-une extra precaution is taken of deyottng small houses built with banks of sand extending quite to their caves to a single stage Tn the process eff manufacture. The most dan gerous of the various opera tions consists fin the mingling of nitric and sulphuric acids and glycerin to form the nitro- glycerin, which is the explosive agent in all dynamite and explosives of that char acter in common use. The mixing is done in a machine of the simplest construction. but of the greatest possibilities for harm in case of accident.
 Having been warned that the dropping of an umbrella an unexpected increase in Ul6 temperature, even uIle IdlSlHS Ol tt iu- man voice unduly. would be followed by the most tragic results for all within reach of it's power, the visitors viewed the un- expressive mechanism with ill-eoncealed apprehension, great awe and perfect silence which is saying a great deal for what the British term '1ady journalist" From this house Miss Devereux was led to other, of similarly direful import, where the product from the former process was carefully studied for the ascertainment of any possible impurities, which would have a tendency to set it off without intention or warming at any time or place.
 The question of purity being settled the liquid is mixed with certain pink powder, which makes the ordinary dynamite of commerce, or with a sort of gelatin which makes it extraordinarily powerful. When the gelatin is used the result looks like yellow glue and it is put into cartridges Of paraffin paper by white women, who work with great skill and rapidity, earning much as $50 a month-which, considering the high cost of living and the dangerous nature of their occupation. is not any great salary. The cartridges when com pleted are packed in packages covered with UTOWH paper anu pldceu III DOAeS HOluiHB fifty pounds.
 Saltpeter or hitter is imported from South America and the nitric acid made on the spot. So, too, the sulphuric acid needed is made from sulphur obtained from Italy. These manufactures, with a fine labora- tory, make up single plant. The total output equals about 5000 cases of dyna- mite of fifty pounds each month. Two thousand workmen and workwomen, three fourths of the number colored, make up the operatives at present. but the works are constantly growing in response to the increased demand from the rand-this was before war broke out.
 The work people are divided according to nationalfties, one group being entirety German and another Italian, with few French. These work together and are housed together. The entire establishment represents an invested capital of $4,5O0,0O Its market is assured, no importations of the manufactured explosives being permit ted in competition.