New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-24

crudely made article is less than that OF thoss
scientifically made, and it degenerateS more
quickly but its work is effectual There Is nothing
that cannot be understood about 1t, and tbs
most powerful explosives that IL will ever be
possible to make are now known to science TOP
the physical possibilities OF matter ara thor
oughly understood
In the great majority Of cases where life 10
taken through the deliberate use OF explosives
the deed is long contemplated. The bomb Is
usually manufactured by the conspirators, and
1t or the material from which IL Is made has
time. Upon this fact would the efficiency OF the
law propose largely rest
Coming to that law, would say that We nUss
have national and general license law under
which the simple, unlicensed possession or any
explosive except those specially excluded shan
be punishable The excluded explosives should
be fireworks and ordinary gunpowder either
loose or in cartridges These are sufficiently
looked after by local authorities.
Whenever it becomes necessary for any IN
dlvtdual or firm TO use explosives It would b
only necessary to apply to the propert authort-
ties and secure q license. a chemist desires to
carry on an INVESTIGATION in explosives He
personally presents his written application Civ
ing Whatever information the generaI resula~
tons may require, and receives his license This
allows him with his attendants TO carry on bis
experiments and 10 keep the explosives within
a specified area. but the material may not be
carried away or used other than in accordance
with the permit.
Explosives are more largely used In mining
than in any other industry and II the license
system Will work here il should successfully
operate under any circumstances When a new
mine Is opened up some one Is put in Charge.
ana Nhen II becomes necessary to eXplO~
slves application be made at the nearest
license office and permission received to store
ana use me explosives on the given property,
but outside that limit the license is void The
same IrincipIe could be applied 70 any other
engineering enterprises. The tunnel builder the
quarrynan, The farmer who blasts his stump5
and stones could all take out licenses for a
given purpose and within given limits.
Having in this manner provided for the
needs Of legitimate business. We can then insist
Ilat lAe unlicensed possession OF explosives shall
be punishable without reference TO the inten-
ZION OF the tIaISSFeSSOI. IN some communities
there is law providing heavy fine and i'm
prlsonment for carrying concealed weapons.
The very presence of the weapon is all that il
is necessary To establish and D1lnishr7aDt s,I-
lows without fail and is Imperative.
some such summary procedure will be uec-
essary under the explosives license law ff II ia
10 be effective. InasmUCh as there Will be no
reason for unlicensed possession the proof OF the
fact viii be sufficient.
Under the present law there must be proos
OF an intent To use the explosive Unlawfuliy for
us possession TO create misdemeanor. The
power OF summary arrest for possession as con-
terred by this law would much increase tia
chances of prevention. Tor IL would only be nee
eSSaTN for some secret information as to this
possession 10 reach the proper authorities 20
enable them instantly 10 arrest the offending
parties. The finding of the explosives would be
suthcient for condemnation, without exposing ths
informer.
AS the law stands al present should anv one
OF group of ConspiratOvS he seized with re-
morse and wish 10 prevent q proposed outrage
he can do SO only by beJraying the criminal in
.eiliI'ltS OF MS leiloWS IN DONG so ne betTayS
himself and brings down the vengeance OF the
law and the more summary vengeance OF hfS
fellows upon his own head Under the license
system should any of the plOttcrS feel remOrse.
as some one Is likely to do, he has only 10 write
an anonymous letter 10 the police and raid is
made and some member is thrown into ian for
six months. the plan broken up and The out
rage prevented. This would happen in many in
stances.
Under the present law a man has committed
no offence when it is found thar he has quaint
ties of explosives secreted under his bed 1t -
Impossible to prove criminal intent. and he goes
free to carry out his plots. Under the license
system action could be promptly taken against
him. and anarchy would become more difficult.
Protection Is given the public from traffic In
oriates, LIQUORS and many less threatening
things. Why not from explosives