davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

over in New York with it's rock founda-
toin, a so-called quick explosive is needed
n shatter the stone. This bars the safer
but much slower black powder, used for
lifting or loosening large masses of rock or
earth. Besides, dynamite is so easy 10
use and so we'll known that 1t will not
readily be displaced by any other material
when the laws are amended and en-
forced there will be little danger from ac-
cidents" repeated DR.. Maywald in sum-
ming up.
Simon Brentano. who has given much
thought and study 70 municipal affairs. and
Is one Of New Yorks foremost authorities
on fire protection, said
The causes OF these explosions, which
are becoming appallingly frequent are
neither 10 be found on the surface nor near
at hand II is more of a moral psycholog-
ioaI and sociological problem than one Of
purely legal aspect. We must flnd the cause
and the remedy in the hearts and minds OF
the men who actually handle these high ex'
plosives. rather than In the laws which
govern their disposition Naturally. the
latter are Of great Importance, but II Is sell
evident that no regulation Is Of real value
unless intelligently carried out.
Almost every one knows about the care
less, needless folk who live on the sunny
slopes Of Mount Etna. Whenever one OF
the periodical eruptions of this volcano
takes place. the survivors Of the first out
break fee for their lives; but as soon as
the disturbance is over and the lava has
oiled sufficiently for them to traverse H..
they return and settle once more on the
site Of their former residences. II Is not
unnatural that they care little or nothing
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

pounds on the piers designated for this
purpose. There are two docks I'm use at
present-one at 51st street, the other at
l5Sth street-both on the North River.
From the docks the material is distrib-
uted to the magazines on the various jobs.
The transfer is effected by means of
wagons especially built for the purpose and
in charge Of two licensed men. In fact,
every one handling the dynamite, from the
manufacturer 10 the foreman of the blast
ing gang and his powder monkey" who
carries it from the magazine. must have
a license. And every one down TO the
storekeeper must keep record, subject to
daily inspection by the Fire Department
of the amount of dynamite given out
"The blaster, however, need keep no rec
ord And that is one OF the weak points
wish 10 overcome. You see, the magazine
keeper can show how much he has given
out, but there is no proof that what he
has dealt out has all been used. That Is
the leak, and it is thus that the stuff used
by the so-called Black Hand and by
many an Italian who blows stumps or
bitches under contract, is frequently OBJ
tanned. Either accidentally or by design
few sticks more than necessary are requi-
SltlOneQ Dy the DlaSteis WHO, Dy lne way 10
generally an italian, and some other per-
son puts the sticks in his pocket and takes
them home Sometimes. also through sheer
carelessness. some left over dynamite is
put aside and forgotten until fresh blast
or 8 blow sets IL of, with more or less
disastrous results. In this case II is the
usual thing for the blaster 10 give his IL
cense 10 friend and to take to his heels.
ITO prevent this in future, have recon-
mended that picture of the holder. taken
in his working clothes. be afhxed 10 each
license. Furthermore. he Is 10 be exam
ned as to his fitness by the Municipal Ex-
plosives Commission. The present exam
nations held at the Bureau OF Combusti-
bies are not strict enough and renewals are
given without any examination whatever,
so that a blaster might have become ad-
d.cted TO drink. without the bureau know
ing anything about II until after some ac-
cident had happened.
'Tf moreover. my suggestion is adopted,
causing the blaster 10 make daily sworn
statement setting forth how much dynamite
he has used and where. there will be very
little chance left for any of 1t getting into
the hands OF outsiders. The important part
is the strict enforcing Of all these laws; Il
would minimize accidents.
"a good law has lately been passed, max
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
insanity Is Increasing So Fast That This Dilemma Will
Surely Face Some of Us for the First Time in 1911
and We Ought To Be Ready

J tious disease prevails we take drastic
measures To stamp it out. You never hear
any talk about infringing upon personal
iberty then. But when anything Is at
tempted to stop the sale or poison that
does more harm than all the infectious dis
eases put together, at once there is the
talk about personal liberty"
Or. Samuel b. Lyon, medical director and
superintendent OF Bloomingdale Hospital.
speaking OF a farm colony as a preventive
measure. said: I'VE want a place where
an alcoholic can stay year. or two years
In order TO acquire immunity from the de-
sire for alcohol. Three months in such a
place is not enough. After three months
abstinence the patient is anxious to relapse
and in the first few months he takes every
opportunity TO do so. After a while, with
more thorough elimination of the alcohol
from his system, he ceases to desire it,
Quite 4 number never do relapse after
such treatment.
"A woman will protect her baby from
catching cold. Protection is prevention.
So, if woman has a daughter Of about
fifteen or sixteen who is nervous and in,
tense and eXcitable she ought not to put
that daughter in school and push her
stand high in her classes l have known
young sirls-and young men, too, some Of
the brightest minds-to he ruined perma-
nently by such overstrain al period in
their development when they needed the
greatest care.
"Brooding Is to be avoided Insane per-
sons get into the habit of going over and
over the same idea until this repetition
forms a channel, as il were from which
they are unable TO drag their thoughts
Such persons require diversion, something
to interest and occupy them: something
pleasant to expect and prepare for
With persons who are not hopelessly in
sane from the beginning with such dis
orders as paresls. imbecllity or weakness of
mind. where there is impossibility of entire
restoration to health, preventive and eura-
tive measures are successful. In other.
more hopeful. cases the sign of the be-
ginning Of insanity is in excitement or
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

about anything except their most immediate
needs.
Now. strangely enough. that is exactly
tho spirit which pervades, to a certain ex-
tent. the people OF this country. There
have been many cataclysms during the last
few decades. great upheavals OF nature as
well as OF the commercial world. Vast
foods. tidal waves. cyclones, earthquakes
and panics, all these forces leave subcon-
scicusly. their imprint on the minds Of men.
II impresses them with the uncertainty OF
existence, and shows itself In the I'll take
a chance spirit so noticeable in many Of
our people.
The manufacturer takes a chance In
slipping the dynamite. and leaves IL on a
public dock, trusting to luck that nothing
will happen TO il while 1t is thus exposed.
The salesman takes a chance and sells IL
TO whomsoever pays the price. I'm the pious
belief that IL is bought for no evil purpose
and will be used without loss OF life or limb.
The foreman OF the blasting gang, In his
turn. takes a chance and rushes his work.
tamping the charge too lightly or too much.
or approaching before all shots have gone
on and when the debris has been shovellad
away his friends find that he isn't there.
Only usually some quite innocent per-
sons help TO pay the penalty for his TAX
ing a chance
ITO me there seems to be not the slight
est excuse for most OF these accidents
The men who handle this dangerous stun
should he brought 10 feel in every possible
manner the responsibility devolviny upon
them. Naturally. no man wants TO bring
about these catastrophes, he is merely
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
Various Suggestions Made by Citizens of Experience for
Better Safeguarding the Sale and Transfer of This
Powerful Explosive, at Least Within City Limits

A LMosT every day the New York
n papers carry disquieting accounts Of
some disaster caused by the careless
or criminal use OF dynamite. One day We
Ieah OF Black Hand bomb wrecking a
"nsment house inhabited by twenty or
more families. The next some disgruntled
Norkmen dynamite a bridge or a building.
again. a careless blast from an excavation
sIatters rock into neighboring streets and
Aooses' breaking windows and gashng
''aips' In every case II means expensive
repairs FOR the man whose property is dam
aged
oheumes-especially in cases Of personal
M!1ry-ths results cannot be remedied at
any price. In fact, many nervous New
iUheF feels no longer safe when walking
N the street. He never knows when the
HVht Oh a building may blow out and MAIN
VI oury him, simply because some rufhan
" seuIng private grudge with an infer
"a' machine. II appears so easy for any
s'lehead 70 obtain a stick or two Of power
az explosive that one seems at the mercy
" any paranoiac with a grievance, real or
Imaginary. II makes one want TO know
no" dynamite Is handled and IL its use can
-o' DC confined strictly 10 responsible per-
s'ns only. And when one reads that 2.6oo
tV'hos OF deadly explosive, with cases con-
NAing 1000 percussion caps. were found
VI fier g. the other day, right In the midst
- heaYy trafic. one certainly wants 70
NNo" Where 70 place the blame for such
s'Oss negligence or worse
MN the idea in mind OF shedding some
AsnI on the entire situation. The Tribune
eSAed Tor the opinions OF some well known
"'eh familiar with various phases OF the
problem.
Dr Frederick J. Maywald. F. c. s.,
A'emoer OF the Municipal Explosives Com
"N'slen' was found among the retorts and
=. agents IN his chemical laboratory at No.
% Pine street
me laws regarding the sale and disposal
:. dynamite" said DR.. Maywald. need re-
ss'en' There are Improvements which
e suggested to the commission. but TO
plSin them ! must give you a general
outline OF the situation.
me manufacturers of explosives are
,olgsd 10 keep a record OF every sale.
.OfeoVer' they are not allowed 10 sell TO
.H' one not provided with a license. Thus
VIC dynamite used In New York Is only sold
uie licensed magazine boats which are
h'red s'l'. near the Jersey fats. a location
suite safe In every respect. These boats in
.-in oeiiver TO special tugs, which land the
s''h'Fe IN amounts not exceeding 1000
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

physicians, called in to examine the patient
and certify 10 their belief that the patient
requires care in the institution named In
the application, and that they believe the
patient mentally able TO decide what Is best
for himself in the matter. These two ply
sicians must have been in practice at least
three years and he I'm good standing In
their profession. They must not have any
connection Of the slightest character with
the patient or with the institution 10 which
he has applied for admission For this rea-
son the family physician does not act In
the matter, and IL is customary 10 summon
alienists 10 make the examination. The fee
for this service varies from s25 to $50, with
an occasional charity fee" as 1t is called.
Of sl5 A person unable TO pay examination
fees may have mis- application passed upon
at Bellevue without charge.
Upon successive visits TO the same insti-
tuition the patients witnesses need not be
two examining physicians in addition to his
own doctor, but they must be persons ac-
ceptahle TO the state Their services are
without charge. as they are usually friends
or relatives OF the patient. A voluntary
patient may leave hospital at pleasure.
In certain forms of insanity conditions be-
come worse before convalescence COM
mences. Were a voluntary patient then 70
express a desire 10 leave, II would be the
friendly duty of the hospital TO notify his
relatives and physician so that they might
take stops 10 secure A legal commitment
but the hospital could not restrain him il
he wanted to GO.
The other form of commitment must he
filled out by the individual who applies for
the commitment OF the afflicted person-by
two duly recompensed physicians, who ex-
anime the patient, by the judge or referee
and by notary public. In this petition
the patients mental Authorizations must he
described. his words. actions and appear
ance before those who examined him; the
history Of his case must be told, his general
physical condition. habits and other all
ments II any. The supposed causes of the
attack. both predsposing and exciting
must be cited, and full particulars must be
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

families I'm this year Of 1911 Will inevitably
be suddenly called upon to face the unex-
pected responsibility of caring for an in
sane member of their households. The
shock Incident to first realization of such
an affliction bewilders them. They do not
know what to do.
Under such conditions" advises one OF
New York's experts on insanity. consult
an alienist or neuroogist. The general
practitioner does not always understand
the patients symptoms, nor how to treat
them"
II is possible 10 get the address of spe-
cialist on insanity by telephoning to any
hospital, and those who cannot afford TO
call in a specialist may, in Manhattan con-
suit any one of the free clinics mentioned
At Bellevue they can obtain assistapce al
any hour.
III a person were suddenly seized with
hysterlcal or violent insanity, what ought
10 be done for them?" the doctor was
asked.
Tile the patient up in a cold pack. which
is soothing as well az restraining. The
pack is a very simple thing. just sheet.
wrung out from cold water and wrapped
around the naked body. Afterward
blanket Is wrapped around that. Leave the
patient I'm the pack for an hour or two.
This is better than drugs"
There are two ways in New York Of gain
ing admission 10 a hospital for the insane:
A patient presents himself voluntarily or is
committed by a judge Of the Court Of Rec
ords or Of the Supreme Court within whose
district the patient resides. The 'e two ways
Of commitment apply both 10 public and pr-
vate institutions, and the person who assists
the voluntary or acts for the involuntary
patient must first apply for a printed form
of application, TO he iled out as the law
provides. These two printed forms are sup
piled by the State Commission In Lunacy,
and may be obtained from the commission,
county clerks superlntendents OF the poor,
commissioners OF charities, superintendents
OF state hospitals and physicians in charge
of private institutions for the insane.
In the case Of a voluntary patient the
application must bear the signature Of two
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

,e depression. In such cases there is
generally some physical trouble which Is
the precipitating cause. After the provok-
ing cause has been removed 1t is important
to occupy. interest and amuse the patient.
so as TO get his mind into normal healthy
conditions again"
lone way to prevent insanity" said Or.
7. w. sampsell. OF River Crest, Long ISL
and, 'is TO have people physically exam
ined by some one connected with the
bureau for licensing marriages. Licenses
should be refused 10 persons unfit to mar
ry. Also law should be passed forbid
ding the marriage of persons of unsound
mind and OF those who are blood relations.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

Some states have such laws. In New York
anybody can marry who has the price Of a
license.
II should say tait fully d TO 30 per cent
of the cases Of insanity are preventable.
Lots of women develop insanity just from
living in dark back apartments. Homeslck-
ness alone is responsible for good deal
of insanity. To prevent insanity people
ought TO lead better lives keep more regu-
lar hours have happier homes-there
aren't enough happy homes in New York
and raise healthier children"
In view of the rapid increase Of insanity
in New York, an increase which preventive
measures cannot Immediately check many
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

inr it misdemeanor for an unlicensed
person 10 carry dynamite. This is also
directed principally against the workmen
who steal the stuff off the jobs. It is not
at all unusual TO find It in the streets or in
Railways. where some fellow has left it.
afraid to take his risky burden any fur
ther."
The Tribune reporter then asked Dr. May
wald how 1t could have happened that
$500 pounds of the explosive were left on
a public pier.
That" explained the scientist, was sim
ply a case of the violation of the law by
the shippers. They have been ordered be-
fore the commission 10 show cause why
their license should not be revoked. There
arc various counts against them, one Of
them being the fact that the lot contained
200 pounds more than the law allows. Tn
der certain conditions UP 10 5000 pounds
may be transferred from boat TO boat, but
to the dock not more than 1000 pounds
may be delivered.
several interesting questions have lately
been raised concerning the carting OF the
material. After much debating 1t was de-
cided 10 permit the wagons 10 go through
the CITY only during daylight, as the dan
ger from artificial light at night was CON
sidered greater than that from traffic dur
ing the day. Even the most reckless chauf-
feur slows down 10 a discreet rate Of speed
and keeps at a respectful distance from
the big red vehicles bearing two flags five
feet square and marked Dynamite in inn
mense letters.
"Another much mooted point was the
adyisability OF cutting down the present
maximum load OF one thousand pounds. 1t
vss finally agreed that II was safer 20 ship
,bs whole amount at once than 10 increase
tho number OF points OF danger by sending
~ ore hut smaller shipments. So far there
has never been an accident to a wagon.
"a tbsre seems no likelihood OF any oc-
c,,r,i,g in the future. The wagons are not
,.,o,tted ON any street below which there
ss ? tunnel or subway, or above which is
an elevated road.
..tJow about the possibilities OF a new
.rd sofer explosive coming into use?" was
asked
"rhere isn't much probability OF that just
-, crescent Certain compounds have been
-osda which are safer than dynamite. but
,rev are not plastic enough In blasting
,ha boIss are bored larger than the stick
=, .n,os,ve which IL then tamped into the
.t,gs With a wooden rod. So far only
drnamlte answers that requirement More.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15

thoughtess, criminslly thoughtless, in not
realizing the almost incomprehensibly ex-
tensive results which a slight act of negli-
gence on his part may effect.
The responsibility should be individual
lied, and I am In favor of any measure
which will further this end.
THE contractor would undoubtedly con-
cern himself far more solicitously with the
storage and use Of the dynamite needed In
his operations II he did not feel so comfort
ably safe In the knowledge of a good-sized
liability insurance policy locked up In his
safe. Remove from MIN this means or
avoiding responsibility and also block the
possibility of the accountable person hid
ing behind the dummy directors OF a stock
company. and much headway In the proper
New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
AN ACCOMPLISHED LINGUIsT.

did you learn any French while yon
were in Paris?" asked Bildad. meeting
Slithers shortly after his return from
Europe.
"Oh little" said Slthers Not so very
much. though I got so could say ciga-
rette in French"
Good" said Bildad. What is cigarette
in F'rench?"
Cigarette" said slithers,-Harper' Week
ly.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-02-08

edly to the extremities; the lungs.
automatically taking IN their MI Of
cir. Across the table heard Adams
gasp and wheeEe. Then heard Brod-
eky's low voice.
Breathe away" he said softly. 1T
is a good sign. To create this life
It is essential that each Of Us con
tribute a certain quantity Of his own
vitality. Do not be alarmed at any
thing you see or hear. Breathe softly
and concentrate your minds upon the
task in hand"
Still we sat there. Cold spasms of
fear oVercame me; / felt as though
my dissolution were approaching and
beads Of sweat, icy as death, sprang
out upon my forehead. l felt the
professors hand tremble in mine.
Then J heard the faintest rustic in
the darkness. l heard something that
scratched, something like the faint
gasp Of living thing. An icy wind
arose and came whistling down the
long hall, wailing and whining round
the obelisks. It swirled over the table.
Ny brain swan, my senses failed me.
/ could no longer feel the professors
hand in mine l tried to rise. to cry
out, but even the powers Of locomotion
had left me. And on the table once
more that scratching sound arose. It
was like nothing that had ever heard
in life. In my horror l could imagine
only one simile for 1.-THE scratching
and tapping of chick, trying to break
through the stell of the egg.
And suddenly, out Of The darkness,
I heard a feeble ws!l-the wall of
newborn child l heard the doctor
spring to his feet, and an 'nstant later
he had switched on the electric light
above our heads, while the long shad-
ows of the statues and obelisks
rushed out toward us from the sides
of the hall. Then the cry changed into
a deeper roar, and saw that the thing
upon the table moved
l think the surprise OF what we saw
threw US all of our balance more or
less, including the doctor. For in
place of the full-grown man, coming
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-02-08

passed out OF this life when 1T
man consciousness had hardly risen
above that Of the brute. and who had.
in consequence, fingered IN a semi
conscious state urtn we inFoluntariiy
gave him the impetus toward further
development AS for that crowded
hour Of life, we simply omitted to
take provision against the fourth d.
nension."
The fourth dimension?' 1 cried.
The fourth dimensional existence
In which time IS not known" the doc
tor answered Time is, Of course. .
human limitation, and was not known
TO the earliest sayages. any more than
it is recognized, in their wild state, by
animals. Everything that has ever
happened. is happening now, or will
happen in future. takes place stimuli
taneously"
You mean that / an It once
child, a mEn, and q cotard, as the
creature was?" l asked. THAT Caesar
and Washington were and are contem-
poraries? That we are living both in
the glacial epoch and IN our own?"
Exactly" the doctor answered. "IA-
stead of time passing By US. we travel
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-02-08

professor "Yet--is this a miracle?
Why, have you not seen the dried
prune swell out to life and beauty
when stepped in water? So here, by
tho injection Of the saline mixture,
containing some Of the red coloring
matter of the blood. which syntheti-
cal chemistry can easily create, into
the veins and arteries, have restored
Sesostris to something of his appear.
ance nineteen hundred odd years ago
A handsome fellow, See the thin lips,
the curved nose. the character in the
face. Prop him up, so, Now. doctor.
the rest remains with you"
I'VE must have total darkness" said
the doctor, LAS you know. such man
ifestations cannot take place in any
degree of light. since the vital pro
cesses occur In the dark and develop
there. just as the seed that natures
under the ground"
You-you really think that you can
bring him to life for an hour?" asked
Adams, rubbing his hands.
A shade of vexation crossed Brod-
sky's face.
Il believe" he replied. that for the
space OF one hour can induce some
discarnate intelligence to occupy this
she'll Whether 1t viii be that OF
Sesostris / cannot tell Let US hope
so. And now kindly draw up chairs
around this table; ! will sit at the
head, and you will sit on either side
OF the mummy. joining hands across
IL. Professor, we are waiting FOR you.
Professor Adams went the length
of the hall. swapping out the electric
lights. l confess that certain eerie
sensation, not wholly dissociahie from
fear. crept over me as the shadows
heightened and the long outlines Of
the mummy cases. the obelisks. and
the winged bulls. were thrown into
| blsckness over our heads one single
| light remained Adams snapped 4;
| out. sat down. and stretched his hands
to mine over the mummy in the dark
| ness.
There we three sat in perfect ST
leuce. hardly dared to breathe in
! the thick. spice-scented air was
painfully conscious Of every vital pro
! cess; the heart, pumping blood labor