New-York tribune., 1906-05-13
PALTRY FINES.

Giuseppe Micaelo, blasters was recently nheo
S25 for a piece of carelessness at his work eas
12Sth street and Convent avenue) w}ieh fs-
suited in the bursting Of two water mains ana
the flooding of many houses. the damage pelns
computed at many thousands OF dollars. Magis-
trate Breen when inflictlng the fine regretted
that IL was the limit allowed by the law. 1t Is
said the blast doing the damage on this occa-
sion had no covering, and that no attempt was
made 20 prevent the hurling into the air of dis
lodged rocks.
The city ordinance governing blasting at pres
ent in vogue provides: SIN all cases Of blasting
rock within the city of New York each blast,
before firing It, shall be covered on the top and
sides with tin sufficiently large TO cover the rock
TO be broken, and the tin to be covered with at
least twelve tinnbers 10 inches square and 10
feet long each, to be held together at each end
by a chain OF either steel or iron three-quarters
of an inch In diameter. The explosive TO be used
shall not exceed one pound in weight Of 40 per
cent explosive for each four foot depth of hole
that is not ten feet below the curb. and one
pound in weight of 60 per cent explosive for
each four foot depth Of hole that is more than
ten feet below the curb. Three minutes
notice before firing the blasts shall be given by
displaying a red flag on a staff not less than
ten feet high, set IN a conspicuous place within
twenty-five feet OF the point where the charge is
placed and also by calling out the words "A
Rlastp several times repeated, and loud enough
to be distinctly heard at distance OF two hun
dred feet from the point Of discharge, and shall
notify the occupants Of all houses within two
hundred 1eee IF the place of blasting on the
r9.orning of each day upon which blasting shall
be done"
II all these precautions to avoid accident were
faithfully attended TO the loss Of life and injury
to property would be reduced almost TO mini
num- but, even at official headquarters. It is
admitted or at all events. not denied, that they
are as often observed In the breach other
wise.
Seen by the reporter. the chief OF the Bureau
OF Combustibles, George E. Murray, had some
general observations to make the subject,
also on the structures Of Alderman Jacobson
with respect to the efficiency Of his department
my assistants and L. said Mr.. Murray. can
not be everywhere TO note whether the pre-
scribed safeguards are used. and in some cases
accidents are due TO carelessness but consider
ing the nature OF the work and the amount OF
blasting found necessary IN this city, think
the proportion Of deaths and accidents result
ing from this cause compares more than favor
ably with automobiling, for instance Many
accidents are inevitable. but with the small
force at my command dt Is only one-third OF
what it should be) everything possible is done
70 ENFORCE LQo law ana minimize Inc OuS
case Of gross negligence coming under my notice
in a long time was that explosion at the Bat
terry, which cost the responsible parties 5000.
When first came into this Office eight years
ago we were dependent entirely for blasterS on
England Wales and the western portions Of
this country. Things have improved vastly, but
it has never been my custom when examining
applicants for licenses 20 ask their nationality.
AllsI want to know Is What can you do"
require each applicant, according to the nature
OF the work he will be required to PERFORM 70
give me practical illustrations OF how he would
act under certain given conditions, and his
answers, and these alone, determine his fitness
in my eyes. / under heavy bond here
and give licenses only to men know and feel
I can depend On-not to men put forward by
any labor other organization
with respect TO the several charges OF wllful
carelessness in the discharge OF the duties fall
ing to this department preferred by Alderman
Jacobson, will give $1,000 to any charity he
cares to name II he substantiate any one
Of them. II Is up TO him OF the admtnls-
traitors Of this city to indicate the particular
magazines storing more than the allowed guam
tity Of powder, and supply the names Of the
carriers conveying through the city excessive
hearing there too much generalzfng, ana so
1t is with these charges. I see the influences at
work, and have too much at stake TO capitulate
20 them. It might be supposed had an interest
In these accidents, or that I am In some way
able to manipulate the bureau to my own ad-
vantage but to show you how feel over this
blasting business I would gladly give another
$1,000 to be rid Of It,"