Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-26
DYNAMITE ON TRAIN
FOUND WHEN EXfRESSMAN
DROPS A CASE OF IT.

NEW YORK. February 26.-Breakins
open packages Is nothing unusual at the
long receiving depot Of the American Elk
press Company, on Madison avenue from
4ln to 48th street. In fact, the men have
to hustle SO hard in emptying the cars as
they roll in that they really can't be any
too careful.
But husky car emptier broke open a
package at noon yesterday that had the
employees fleeing from the sheds for a
block around in a very short while. 1t
was harmless looking package, a narrow
pasteboard box about 4x1O. When the
baggage rustler dropped a heavy packing
case on it three cylinders rolled merrily
over the floor of the car. The car emptier
picked up the things and the smashed>box
and deposited them on the desk of a check
ing clerk
and fleighboring persons departed. Supt.
Dodd got into telephone communication
with fire headquarters and talked to Supt.
Wolf Of the bureau of combustibles.
I've got three sticks of dynamite" said
Mr.. Dodd. land am not very anxious to
keep EN-
"Ar right, deliver them here and I'll take
care of them," said Supt. Wolf.
Volunteers were called for and good jury
excuses developed Harry Maitland, clerk
in Supt. Dodd's Office, thought enough Of
it-if necessary. With stick in either side
pocket Of his overcoat and the other in
his glove pocket, Maitland journeyed to
Fire Hall. East 9th street. he was pale
when he reached the office of Supt. Wolf,
on the fifth floor. He,smned really joy
full smile as he said, Thank you," and
passed out the door, leaving the dynamite
behind.
Quality IS Per Cent.
Supt Wolf made a hurried examination
of the sticks. One Of them was broken
nearly in two. Mr.. Wolf tasted the stuff,
and the nitro gave him headache. The
marks on the sticks indicated that the
quality was IS per cent.
The dynamite had come in on the Chicago
express that arrived at the Grand Central
shortly before noon, a few hours late. After
the passengers were discharged and the
train backed into the yards the express
car was shunted through sidings and
alongside the long platforms Of the express
depot. The dynamite was In far corner
of the car and was one Of the last packages
to be removed.
It's against the law to ship dynamite or
any explosive, high or low proof, on a train
that carries passengers, or to ship it with
out proper marks. The express company
is not allowed to carry dynamite on Its
cars, but it is not to blame in this case,
as there were no marks on the package to
show that it contained dynamite. The ex-
plosive was a sample shipped from the
west to firm in this city. The box with
the names Of the shipper and the consignee
were not sent to the bureau of combusti-
bles. Supt. Dodd sent this box and the
markings to the main offices Of his COM
pany, so that the high officials can take
whatever action they see fit A lot of
trouble can be made for somebody.
What is needed" said Supt. Wolf last
night, is real stiff federal legislation on
this matter. Some people should be made
an example Of. and then they would not be
SO reckless with explosives. l don't doubt
in the least that dynamite and other ex
plosives are shipped frequently on trains
and ships that carry passengers"