New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-02
claw or No Law" Com
missionerS Vote to Halt
Munition Shipments.
lines GET ONE DAY
TO MOVE GOODS
BLACK Tom Victims Body Found
Another Dies-Representa-
tiyes May Act on Disaster.
n. Board Of Commissioners Of Jer-

The Board Of Commissioners Of Jer-
,ev City. in meeting marked by
Wholesale condemnation of the rail
roads, voted yesterday that, claw or no
law" the city should Immediately rid
Itself Of all munitions stored within
Us limits. and that all future ship
ments into the city should be pre-
vented.
The action was taken on the convic-
ton of the commissioners that il was
time "to take the law into their own
hands" and avoid a repetition of the
Black Tom disaster.
Il was decided by the commissioners,
other means having failed, to employ
police power in keeping the city com
pletely free Of explosive munitions
in quantities menscing life and prop
erty. What the Interstate Commerce
Commission may do to impose its su-
thority and what the railroads may do
in retaliation did not seem TO con-
Germ the commission.
One Commissioner Opposes.
The rollcall hardly had been fin
ished. showing four of the commission
ers for the radical step and only one,
Henry Byrne. opposed, before Frank
Hague, Director of Public Safety. had
ordered notifications of the action sent
20 the superintendent of trsnsports-
tion Of every railroad having termi-
nails in Jersey City or whose ship
ments pass through the city. The
railroad Offices were called by tele-
phone and the resolution read.
The railroad officials were informed
that formal notification would be dis
patched this morning, and that .he
scant grace of twenty-four hours from
the time Of its receipt would be given
the railroads 10 remove explosives and
reroute consignments now on their
way.
Other developments of the day were:
Railroad heads indicated they would
fight the sweeping action Of the city
by injunction and, If financial loss re-
suited through breaking of contracts
With shippers, by damage suits.
City Seeks Redress.
Commissioner George F. Brensinger,
author Of the resolution to clean the
city Of dangerous explosives, when
warned by Corporation Counsel John
Milton that the city might be held
liable for financial losses sustained BY
the railroads, remarked: at is worth
Milton was directed by the commits
SIGN TO learn if those responsible for
the explosions and confagration on
Black Tom could be held financially
liable, and, Il so, TO sue.
John J. Eagsn and James A. Hamill,
New Jersey representatives. announced
that they would appear before the In
terstste Commerce Commission in
Washington to-day in an effort to OBJ
tain relief.
May Introduce Resolution.
EGgan said if there appeared no pros
pect Of help from the I. c. c. he would
introduce resolution in Congress
which he already has prepared, placing
complete embargo on the export of
high explosive munitions.
Most serious effects on the munitions
industry will result if the plan of the
Jersey City commissioners can be car
ricd into execution. More than three
hfths Of the munition shipments to the
Allies go by way Of the Jersey City
terminals.
A report made yesterday by James
Connolly, inspector Of combustibles in
Jersey City, showed that in June and
July 1912 carloads Of explosives came
INTO the city over the Lehigh Valley
and that 9l5 carloads were trans
shipped at the Jersey Central piers.
Found Other Explosives.
Connolly also reported that in a tour
Of InSpection of the Jersey City freight