Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-02-23
RA|LROADERS GIVE
UTILITIES BOARD
DYNAMITE HINTS
Suggest Uniform Regulations for
Transportation of High
Explosives.
ACCIDENTS IN TRANSIT
FEWER THAN IN FACTORIES
Law Prohibits Conveying of
Dynamite Through Newark,
but Fine Is Only SIS.

Prompted by the dynamite explosion
disaster at Communipaw on February
/. the State Utilities Commission today
heard suggestions from representatives
of the railroads of this State concern
ing the advisa bility of uniform regula-
tions for the transportation of high
explosives. Colonel w. B. Dunn. head
of the Bureau of Explosives OF the
American Railway Association, was
present on behalf of the railroad men
and the commissioners listened to his
suggestions for more than an hour.
jackson Reynolds, attorney for the
Central Railroad of New Jersey, pro-
pounded questions to Colonel Dunn.
When asked. what he had done among
New Jersey officials to bring about
uniform form OF ordinance Colonel
Dunn said that he had sent letters to
the mayors of Newark, Jersey City and
Camden.
Colonel Drunn explained the bureaus
code of regulations and said that all
the railroads in New Jersey except the
D.. L. and w railroad which does not
carry explosives, had accepted the
regulations
Statistics of Killed and Injured.
Colonel Dunn read the statistics OF the
number of persons killed by explosions
on railways since the bureaus incep-
ton in 1907. In that year 81 were
killed, in 1908 there were rs. in 1909
there were 6, and in 1910 only / was
killed, In the first year so were in
jured, in 1908 SO were injured, In 1909
there were injured, and last year
only | was injured
Explaining tle style of cars pre-
scribed by tho bureau for the trans
portation of explosives, Colonel Dunn
said that it was better to carry 10000
pounds of explosives in the prescribed
car than half that amount in a weaker
car. He said that under the old rule
but three cars containing explosives
were allowed to each train, and that
five cars should come between each.
This rule was the cause rather than a
preventive against accidents, as cars
were frequently derailed or toppled
over
Colonel Dunn, speaking in favor Of
uniformity in the regulations, stated
that in many parts of the country IL
is impossible to get cars that comply
with the Federal laws.
Replying to "a question as to the
bureaus stand on the question of stor-
age Of dynamite in railroad stations,
Mr.. Dunn answered:
THE regulation say that there
should be prompt removal from rail-
road property; the railroad, however.
can't force the consignee to remove his
goods; they can only charge him for
storage"
Should BE Law Compelling Removal.
Would an act relating to storage
erase this evil?" asked Mr.. Sommer.
Mr.. Dunn answered:
"There should be such an act passed
imposing a penalty upon anyone leav-
ing a high explosive at a railroad
storage-house for more than twenty
four hours. The railroads should be
permitted to charge a higher rate of
storage"
Among others who spoke of the ne
cessity of a uniform code of regulations
were William F. Allen, secretary of the
Bureau of Explosives; H. A. Taylor,
of the Erie railroad; w B. Sheppard,
of the Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Reynolds,
of the Central railroad.
Captain c. Albert Gasser, head Of
the Newark Bureau of Combustibles.
spoke of the crying need for some
State supervision of the manufacture
of combustibles.
Can't Bar Dynamite Factory.
He said that anyone could come here
and establish a dynamite factory with
out being hindered He said that there
had been only one dynamite explosion
In transportation, whereas every day
people are being killed as the result of
explosions in factories, four having
been killed in the State during this
month. Newark" he said. "is free
from the manufacture of explosives.
The railroads say that they do not
carry explosives through this city
Whether they do not not don't know
There is a fine imposed on a carrier
transporting dynamite through New
ark, and if such disaster should hap
pen here as the Communipaw case the
railroad would be called upon to pay
the large fine of $25."
Mr.. Sommer stated that it was the
commissions purpose in holding the
conference to report their findings
through the Governor to the Legisla-
ture and find out whether they had
any authority to make proper regula-
tions governing the transportation of
dynamite.