New-York tribune., 1902-01-29
DYNAMITE, 400 POUNDS.
THAT AMOUNT TAKEN TO THE SHANTY
MAGAZINE BEFORE THE
EXPLOSION.

Investigations of the frightful explosion of dyn-
amite in front of the Murray Hill Hotel at
Park-ave. and Forty-first-st., on Monday were
continued yesterday without much progress
They failed to disclose the exact amount OF dyna-
mite that was exploded, and they failed to es-
tablish the exact cause of the explosion.
Most of the investigating was done by George
E. Murray. the chief inspector of the Bureau
of Combustbles, and his assistants. Fire Mar
shall Freel sent subordinates TO examine some
of the injured workmen who were in the hos
pitals but they did not obtain much informa-
ton Coroner Goldenkranz had adjourned the
inquest in the cases of persons killed by the eX-
plosion until next Tuesday, and he was awaiting
developments and making plans to prevent Dis
trict Attorney Jerome from interfering with the
inquiry. Mr.. Jerome keeping his own
counsel.
Inspector Murray had before him manufact-
urer of explosives, who supplied dynamite to
Major Shaler. the sub-contractor for subway
work in Park-ave. This manufacturer said that
four hundred pounds of dynamite had been de-
livered on Monday morning at the shanty used
as a magazine for the explosive in front of the
Murray Hill Hotel. That the usual day s
supply. he added. He could not tell how much
OF the dynamite had been used before noon
on Monday. when the explosion occurred.
The rule of the Fire Department regulating
The storing OF dynamite for in work In the
city limits the amount to be kept under each
permit at sxty-two pounds Mr.. Murray ex-
pressed surprise because as much as four hun
dred pounds of the explosive had been stored at
one place although Major Shaer had two per-
mits for the storage of dynamite used in the
work in Park-ave II have an inspector" said
Mr.. Murray who is detailed to look after the
storing of dynamite used in the subway work.
He makes a daily tour and examines each point
where the permits issued show that dynamite
has been stored. These permits some two hum
dred of which issued a year to the subway
contractors limit the quantity of explosive stored
to sixty-twO pounds for each permit. My in
spector yesterday had reached Thirty -fourth-st.
In his daily tour Had the explosion occurred
ten minutes later il is more than likely the
inspector would have been killed. as his next
point of inspection that at which the ex-
ploson took place. l am making searching in
vestigation, and shall have report ready by to-
morrow l expect. | would also say that Mr..
Shaler has the reputation OF being one of the
most careful men in the business and hitherto
this department has found that he strictly COM
piled with the law in the matter of handling ex-
plosves."
Mr. Murray said he and his assistants had
questioned many of the workmen. but the men
did not appear to be willing to give information.
II had been impossible to get from them state
ments about the amount of dynamite used in
Monday
Mr. Murray said he felt sure that the explosion
of sixty-two pounds of dynamite could not have
caused the terrific destruction of property in
the neighborhood but he had been unable to
learn the amount of dynamite that did explode
Regarding the cause of the explosion Mr.. Muir
ray said there were still elements of uncer-
tainty. The testimony of several workmen IN
dicated that there were flames in the shanty
previous to the explosion. but 1T was an accept
ed theory that dynamite would burn up with
out exploding when II exposed TO flames.
I'VE have the testimony OF a single colored
laborer in the subway work. Mr.. Murray said
that Just before the explosion occurred a
bucket too full of muck lifted by the der
rick out of the excavation and swung away from
the shaft and that piece of rock fell from the
bucket and struck the Shanty. Such concuS-
sion could have caused the explosion, of course,
but we cannot find anybody to substantiate the
story of the colored man. We are inclined to
believe that Tubbs, the engineer. who was killed
instantly by the explosion, was pouring water
on the flames and caused a shock to the dyna-
mite causing it to explode. When dynamite is
raised to a high temperature it can be exploded
by the slightest jar. The fire in the shanty may
have heated some of the dynamite and
caused 1t to explode when Tubbs bravely try
ing to stave off a disaster flung the water"
Evidence that the shanty containing the dyna-
mite was on fire before the explosion occurred
was given yesterday by persons not in the en-
ploy of the Sub-contractor. Fire Chief Croker
said in the morning:
IT have received letter from S. F.. Stellman,
hydraulic engineer of No. 2O4 East Forty-thrd-
ST saving that the brother of clerk of his
place where the dynamite stored as soon
as he saw the woodwork near the magazine
burning"
Derrickmen told two inspectors that the hoist
ing apparatus was not in use at the time of the
exDloson. This seems to dispose of the theory
that a stone from bucket fell upon and set
off the dynamite.
n ID