The Penn's Grove record., 1909-01-29

A Large Citizens Meeting Fears The
Powder Works May Shut Down

Powder Works May Shut Down
When it became known on Wednesday
that the naval appropriation bill had pass
ed the House of Representatives with a
rider which prohibits the Government
from buying any powder from the Powder
Trust or from any company afficIliated
with the trust. Mayor Gentlen burriedly
called a citizens mass meeting at $50 by
having circulars distributed. Odd Eel
lows Hall was packed with abont 300
men who were deeply impressed by the
speeches.
Mayor F.. A. Gentieu called the meet
ing TO order, acted as chairman and intro
duced the speakers, Revs. ]. Ward Gam
BILE, E. A. Miller, II. s.. Kidd and attorney
]. Warren Davis, who made strong adj
dresses.
DIR. Gamble said that the shutting down
of the powder mills would be like a inan-
cial earthquake to this Borough which
would affect the churches, schools, bank
and other businesses, besides it would UNI
settle property values. There is now a
suit pending against the dupont Powder
Company. If it has violated the anti
trust law the judiciary should decide. He
hoped the community would not have an
industrial disturbance and reminded all
that the things seen are temporal; the
things unseen are eternal.
Rev. Miller spoke of the tremendou
investments and purchases made and the
endeavor to improve the working condi.
tions of the community. Mr.. Kidd spoke
OF an industry grown up under protection
and then having it taken away as UNJUST.
He made a motion that the Mayor and
Washington to see what the trouble wa.
and TO take a remonstrance against any
act which was detrimental to the indus
tries OF the community.
J. Warren Davis, the Borough Solicitor,
made the strongest speech. He said it
was unjust and not a square deal to pro-
hiDit the purchase of powder OF any firm
when it might be of better quality and
lower in price.
The duPont's have been honorable men
and dealt fairly with the Government
They began the manufacture OF powder
in 1902; were pioneers and blazed the
way for that industry. In the time of war
they did not raise the price OF powder and
make immense fortunes like the manu-
facturer of quinine did. In the time OF
peace they loaned the blue prints of theil
machinery to the Government flor the
erection of a Government powder plant.
Powder which had been acceptable in
war is now condemned on some tech
nical point made by a critical inspector,
in violation of contract, probably too much
salt in the water from the river or the
color did o suit. They have 300, 900
pounds under, condemnation now and had
spent 5000, 00cto get better wat er from
Layton'} pond.
The pay roll of the plant on Carney
Point is 1892, 600 a year, most of which
is spent in this town. To prohibit
buying smokeless powder from this plant
would be a practical contiscation Of the
industry, also of the livelihood and
homes of some men who know no other
business.
The following remonstrance was read
and numeronsly signed.
RESOLUTIONS
Penn's Grove, N. j. JAM q, 1909
WHEREAS A bill call$d the Naval Appropria- !
resentatiyes at Washington, D. c.. on Jan. u.
1906, which passed the House and which if it
passes the Senate, will prohibit the Govern |
ment from purchasing any smokeless powder
from any trust or from any company affiliated
with any trust.
WHEREAS this bill, being aimed at the du
P0nt Company. as was brought out in debate,
will if it becomes a law, necessitate the i'm. |
mediate and permanent closing of the dupont
Powder Works manufacturing smokeless pow
der.
WHEREAS a large percentage of the working |
population of the borough of PENIS Grove and
vicinity are employed in the Powder Works |
near said borough and are dependent upon
said employment for the support of themselves
and their families.
WHEREAS the closing Town of the said
Works will first throw out of employment a
large number of our people who have and know
of no means of support other than the one in
which they are at present employed and sec
0nd will seriously injure every business inter- |
est in this section and in some cases totally
destroy it, and
WHEREAS the purpose of the bill seems mani |
testify unjust and will operate as a practical
confiscatiOn of all property used in the manu-
facture Of smOkeless powder,
THEREFORE, we, the citizens of the Borough
of Penn's Grove and vicinity, most earnestly
petition our Representative in Congress to
use their influence to proven the bill from be-
coming a law.
In witness whereof we have hereunto sign
ed our names.
Mayor Gentieu and Solicitor Davis
lett for Washington on Thursday morning
to take the remonstance.