Evening journal., 1909-11-16
DENY POWDER
PLOT REPORT
Hagley Yard Shut Down,
Causes RumOrS Of Iron Found
in Powder Being Ground
OFFICIALS SAY THEY
KNOW OF NOTHING WRONG

Shutting down OF the Hagley yard
Of the DUPONT Powder Company along
the Brandywine following the reported
finding OF foreign substances in the
black powder manufactured there has
given rise to a rumor among. the one
hundred powder makers that plot to
destroy the mills had been discovered
/ by the company officials.
Inquiry at the company Offices today.
however, brought an explanation that
the officials did not suspect plot
against the company. Although II was
admitted that foreign substances had
been found in the powder under pro-
cess Of manufactufs n the Hagley
yard. such discoverios were not un-
common, 1t was said, and the plant had
been shut down simply because OF an
overproduction OF sporting powder such
as is manufactured in the Brandywine
yards.
Since the explosion OF a packing
house and prismatic press mill in the
Hagley yard last Thursday resulting
in the deaths OF Walter McDermott,
Howard Darrah and Dominica Dinesto
rumor has been current among the
powder makers that foreign substances
such as pieces OF iron. had been found
in powder in the grinding mill
Since the explosion no grinding Of
powder has been done in the yard.
Workmen, however. had been engaged
about the mills cleaning up the ex-
lplosion debris and this work was con-
tinued until last night when orders
| issued from the company's offices
closed the yards until further notice.
II was this order, coupled with ru-
mors that the company officials had
found iron and nails in the powder,
which gave rise 10 the rumor that the
company had suspected a plot to blow
up the plant. All Brandywine Banks
is discussing the rumors today. Off
ciais OF the company admitted that the
rumors had reached them, but every
one OF the officials who would talk to-
day denied that the company had any
suspicion of a plot or intent to do dam
age and that the rumors we're abso-
lluely without foundation.
Frank L. Conuable. chief OF the black
powder operating department Of the
4 DUPONT Company, was most emphatic
IN the several denials which followed
the rumors.
1T Is not an uncommon thing e
ind pieces OF metal in powder" hs
said. II Is absolutely untrue that
matches have been found I'm the yard.
Continuing Mr.. Connable said the
/ Hagiey yard had been closed down
because OF an reproduction Of sport
! ing powders. such as are manufactured
there. I'VE have many mills through
out the country manufacturing this
/ brand Of powder, and notwithstanding
/ the fact that we have had a horrible
explosion in the yard we would go
ahead with the manufacture Of powder
| there had we not such a large quantits
Of sporting powder on hand.T he SAID.
"Au our mills take turns in closing,
and II has come the Hagley yards
1 turn to shut down.
Mr.. Connable said that some foreign
substance had been found in the
powder being manufactured In the
yard. "The story Is all an exagger-
/ ation.- he added. This company can
not conceive that any person would
! be so malicious as TO deliberately put
any foreign substance in its product,
and the company takes pains to see
that no persons Of such tendencies gets
into it's employ. The company has the
utmost confidence in the loyalty of its
men. A lot Of hysterical outsiders
are responsible for the rumors. but
they are absolutely without founda-
ton. The yards are closed for the
reasons stated"
Lamotte dupont. division superinten-
dent Of the mills. while not denying
/ in as much detail as Mr.. Connable the
reports, said that the yards had been
closed since last Thursday. but he
would give no explanation for the
order. referring his inquirer 70 Mr..
Connable. So
Residents OF Brandywins Banks and
Walkers Bank. where many OF the
powdermal<ers live. were greatly ex-
cited when the rumors reached them
! yesterday and to-day.