The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-06
DANGER IN USING DYNAMITE.
Lack OF knowledge Regarding Substance
Has brought About Many Deiusions.
the Boston Transcript.

From the Boston Transcript
Many people have, Of course, only gen.
eral or perhaps vague idea OF just what dyna-
mite really is: they view it as dangerous
and as an explosive, something to be given
wide berth. Yet on the authority Of an
expert in these matters, a man OF this city
who has manufactured dynamite and who
has travelled throughout the country from
Maine to California to instruct people In its
proper Use and handling dynamite is not
an explosive, but is rather a detonator:
difference in degree only. yet wide differ
ence In effects. An explosion is caused by
the generating or liherating Of gases from
solid. liquid or other gaseous substance
so quickly that the gases formed cannot be
confined in the space of the original sub
stance n more or less slow process, whereas
decorators liberate their gases almost in
simultaneously. The greater bulk must find
an outlet at once. and does not have time to
seek the place of least resistance. but must
find space Immediately. A detonaton is.
in round numbers. 1000 times quicker than
an explosion. strong conclusion and a
spark in combination will cause it.
Dynamite is not quite the dangerous sub
stance that most people suppose it to be.
1t can be handled with impunity and even
recklessly IL one knows just how this should
be done, and will not detonate except under
certain well defined circumstances. The
marketable article. in order to fit into drill
holes, is generally in the form OF sticks. vary
ing from half an inch to three inches in
diameter and in length from two and half
to twelve inches. These sticks are formed
by packing dynamite into oiled paper cases
Of the required size. Only under certain
conditions will dynamite act to the purpose
for which it Is made. 90 under ordinary
circumstances it may be viewed as safe to
handle and cart about. probably as safely
as coal oil or naphtha could be carted.
In the early DAYS of its manufacture. be-
Tor" It's properties were well understood
and before perfect!o of combinations in its
manufacture had been reached. there were
some unacoountable explosions and queer
actions which gave dynamite a bad name,
which ever since has chung to 1t. Knowl-
edge regarding II has not grown to be gem
erai. however, with the passing of years.
Now and then one hears Of children find
ING pieces of dynamite sticks and playing
WIN them until some one rescues the chill
dren from supposed great danger, which
probably really did not exist. for the chill
dren would have difficulty in causing an ex-
plosIon. Careless workmen, well accus-
toned to handling, and knowing all about
us properties. throw away pieces, some
umes, and these. of course. while not abso-
uteIy dangerous playthings for children
or Tor others to handle may just as well be
children should not employ in their play.
no" and then mysterious explosion is
mld to the use of dynamite. yet experts know.
Nhen they see explanations regarding the
t"dIr. that the conditions were not right
Iof dynamite. and that undoubtedly 1t was
not present at all. and was not the agency
causing the explosion, Usually 1t is some
N's powerful agent that is used. Again.
oone man prominent in the public eye re-
ecNes mysterious box by express or other
vase That is thought to be an Internal ma
.ulne. The police are notified. and take
we chine and usually soak IL well In water
oe'ot" opening 1t. But il il Is dynamite
" ' usually reported TO be- il will detonate
;lst as readily, even though II may have
" w ked IN water for twenty-four hours.
in,s.s many days, for that matter. There
i|,e Il e probable that these machines do
de-. contain dynamite at all. Water will
aid ARK y, matches or matchhcads. gunpowder
W." inner substances, but not dyna mite,
IN H"' 'l 70 render ii harmless must be soaked
Ingredients WIZ" wiz ''7'o''