davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
CITY BUREAU TAKES
ACTION ON EXPLOSIVES
Railroads Must Make Shipments
as Speedily as Possible.

Railroads in the future must ship
munitions from New York as speedily
as possible All explosives will have TO
be transferred TO barges Immediately
upon their arrival at terminal points.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention has de
cided that chances for a repetition Of
the Black Tom explosion must be min
imized, and all rules will be strictly
enforced.
According TO a statement by Joseph
O. Hammitt, its chief, the Dock De-
pertinent and the customs authorities
will cooperate 10 see that regulations
are not disregarded. After barges are
loaded they must be towed down the
bay to the prescribed government an
chorages. II the munitions are not
transferred TO barges or lighters, the
Dock Department will inform the bu-
reau. and if after loading the floats
are not towed away promptly, the Gus
toms authorities will see that action is
taken.
Munitions plants within the city will
also be regulated. Mr.. Hammitt is ex-
aiming al magazines, and only enough
dynamite will be allowed in the city
limits 10 carry on the necessary work
of the metropolis.
All barges and lighters carrying ex-
plosives must keep 1000 feet from
shore where the width of the stream
will allow il. and all loading must be
done in the day time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03

Washington, Aug 3 Munitions
should not be shipped through con-
cested centres, where havoc such as
that Of last Sunday can be wrought,
Representative James Hamill, Of Jer-
sey City. declared in the House to-day
in attacking the Interstate Commerce
Commission for allowing the export OF
munitions from Jersey City.
"lf ammunition and high explosives
are to be shipped out Of the United
States" said Mr.. Hamill, "they ought
to be shipped safely or not at all. Some
other place should be found than the
congested communities through when
TO move them at the peril of the lives
Of all of the people who reside there.
"The ammunition manufacturers OF
the country, the powder manufacturers
the bullet makers. those who traffic IN
the instruments of death, have turned
Black Tom Island, an artificial PENN
sula, so to speak, jutting out from the
mainland Of Jersey City. into an arsenal
for the use and convenience OF the
warning nations Of Europe.
Congested Centres Menaced.
"The lives of the people in the most
congestod portion of the country, seven
millions and more. are placed in hourly
danger Of death and their property. Is
subjected to imminent destruction
merely that this traffic may continue
and that the makers Of these instru-
ments of death may fatten their bank
deposits on the profits which they har-
vest.
81 have introduced bill in the House
providing that where ammunition shall
be shipped for the use Of those other
than the United States army ITS tranS'V
and its storage shall be subject wholly
TO the regulations of the community
through which the commodity passes
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
Congress Asked to Guard
Cities Against Explosives
Representative Hamil Wants Power to Regulate Han
ding of Munitions-says Interstate Board Lets
Railroads Have Free Hand

particularly where this community Is
railroad terminal abutting on river
as is Jersey City, and abuttng on the
harbor Of New York.
This is particularly one OF the sub
iects which desire to call 10 the at
tention of the House. The Interstate
Commerce Commission has power TO
deal. or claims 20 have the power, to
deal with this subject, yet, If you com
plain TO the Interstate Commerce COM
mission they will send you to Colonel
Dunn. who is the head of the Bureau
of Combustbles.
Colonel Dunn in Charge.
az know very little about Colonel
Dunn. except that he is a highly sclen-
tifc expert. and also. ! hear, very
honorable gentleman. He IS the IN
ventor Of the eXplosite called dunnite,
and he is the head of the Bureau OF
Combustibles not a government bu-
reau. but department established by
the united railroads of the country,
from which source he draws his salary
| do not make any charge against COLO
mel Dunn. o.-
"The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has practically turned the deer
sion of this question over 10 the rall-
roads of the country. Let me say
that if they deal with other questions
affecting the rights of the public ana
the railroads, if they deal with que.s-
tions Of freight rates and other prob
lens that come up for discussion in
the same way in which they have. dealt
with this, then it would be far better
TO end the hypocrisy and abolish the
Interstate Commerce Commission alto
gether.
AZ say this, that in case such ms
have described, where enormous
quantities of intensely infammable ex-
plosives are heaped in enormous
quantities or brought in enormous
quantities to a community, we should
provide that the local authorities
shall prescribe and enforce the regu-
lations and conditions in which the
traffic shall be carried on"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
CITY In PATCHES,
GLASS SO SCARCE
Dealers Boost Prices 100
Per Cent After Whole
sale Window Smash.

The plate glass windows shattered
in the Black Tom explosion probably
will run above the 100000 mark, which
the first insurance estimates set as a
maximum.
The New York Plate Glass Insurance
Company. which at first listed its loss
at $4,000, now believes its total will
run between $4,000 and 100000, and
that the first estimate will just about
cover its loss in Manhattan, leaving
Brooklyn and Jersey to add to the
amount.
Slow Work in City.
Windows are being replaced as
quickly as possible, and practically
none Of the companies failed to start
work at once. Difficulties are met
with, however, in that there is q
shortage Of large sizes in glass, and
the sudden demand has taken every
laborer capable Of handling the bigger
panes.
Some dealers have jumped their
prices enormously. The lowest in
crease reported yesterday by inspr-
ance companies was 80 per cent, and
in some instances $50 per cent, with
the prospect that it might continue to
climb
Due TO these conditions. some Of the
shops whose windows are filled with
valuables may be compelled TO wear
board fronts for another week.
"The trouble is said plate glass
insurance man yesterday, "there is so
much to do that it looks as though
we weren't getting anywhere. But
well have the windows in just as soon
as we can get the material and the
men,
Glass Factories Raided.
Nine or ten men are required to
handle the big sheets of glass, most
of which has TO be brought from
Pittsburgh now. Although Pennsyl-
vania contains most of the glass fac
tories, insurance companies have
been compelled TO desert their reg
ular sources of supply because they
were insufficient The glass market Is
being raided in all parts of the coun-
try.
Practically all of the broken win
dows were total loss, according to
the New York Plate Glass Insurance
Company. If a window is so badly
broken that it cannot be cut down into
a smaller size there is no salvage, and
the companies are out the entire
amount.
Even before the explosion glass had
been higher than ever before, for many
Of the glass factories found larger de-
mands and quicker profits by going
into the munitions business at the be-
ginning Of the war.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
FIRST EXPLOSION
DAMAGE SUIT FILED
Truckman Asks S15,000-Four
Companies Defendants.

The first suit for injuries suffered
through the Black Tom explosion was
filed in the New York Supreme Court
yesterday by Dominick Lannie, a truck,
man, against the National Dock and
Storage Company, the Johnson Light
erage Company. the Lehigh Valley Rail
road and the Central Railroad Of New
Jersey. Lannie asks for $4,000 dam
ages.
Lannie says he was standing in front
Of 152 Blocker Street at the time Of
the blast, and that a part Of his right
cheek was sliced OIL by flying glass,
broken by the shock. lie was taken 10
St. Vincent's Hospital, where the sur
geons took more than thirty stitches
in his cheek.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
Our Efforts to Fulfil Our Duty
To the People Of New York


To the People of New York City:
supreme duty prevent interruption the street
railway service of New York
alleged represent the demands of our men
handed the Mayor This signed by
nonresident officers of an alien organization
We have had disputes with and no
communication from them. We shall, Of course, how
confer with the Mayor and-at any tme-with
The have made onvinces that oya
and wish cooperate maintaining for the people
ofNew York.
addressed large meetings of at the 99th St.
5Oh barns last night AT least $500 present
told the frankly position and with great enthusiasm
these promised their support
We have had very happy family years in which have
with the of these Companies and
questions hitherto which could not be satisfactorily set
tied without necessity for outside interference
In order that may mistake part however
the have asked them select by
group of their felowempoye empowered to discuss
matters of consider effective methods of
peope of New YoE
We are in no attitude OF resia toward our
Our policy is and has them and stand by
The sole reason why feel unwse that they
ally themselves with an alien organization is that we
and they-are responsible to New FORK and to New
York alone for maintaining without interruption from
the transportation in this city.
the Railroad wholly the
in neighbomg
Alliance NewY employees with foreign organization
il
the etsofa n
employees the people of this Community
iaobGga men felt that they
than ordna consideration.
has
hew esof the men,
nd We s new e s es e against pd p% effort "
We enosubect may
of
mpl ando
naddto with
PrfetTg
understanding and be-
TWEEN
York with
the eH
and
the OF forkto
aenine
New York Railways Company
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-12-19
HOLD-UPS BEAT AND ROB / o
FORMER. POLICE OFFICER e

Former Police Lieut.. John IObln,
indicted after an investigation into
the clairvCyant ring by States Atty
HOyne, now a private Waterman for
the Chicago & Northwestern railroad,
was held up, beaten and robbed by
four robbers as he made the rounds
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-12-19

on duty at Illinois and Seneca sts.,
early today.
His gun and a small amount of
money were taken from him afterfhe
bandits beat him up.
Lohdoh.-Coronatien of Prince
Charles as king Of Hungary set for
Dec. 80.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
but 81 cents Der volume to circulate

but 81 cents per volume to circulate
Public Library books into homes as
compared with an average cost OF Ills
cents per volume for the public libraries
OF all of the thirty-two American cities
above 100000. including Washington.
The local library's per capita circula-
ton among the population OF the Dis
trict of 2.42 volumes is exceeded by
twenty-one other cities above 100000
population. The average for all thirty
two cities above 100000 10 2.8 volumes.
The report shows that the present per
capita circulation in the District has
only been secured by reason OF the
large increase Of circulation C70.O0O
volumes) through the school-deposit
collections. But it also shows that for
all of the cities above 100000 the aver
age is increasing more rapidly than is
1t Is evident that Washington in its
public library book circulation. although
that circulation is rapidly and steadily
increasing, yet in relation to other
cities, it Is falling behind In the pro-
cession of municipal libraries In cities
Of its class The librarian maintains
that until the local library has a sys-
tenn Of branches properly supported and
with more adequate support for tho
main organization and for other extern
sion work, 1t will not be able either to
take its proper rank with other mu-
nicipal public libraries OF Its class or
to render adequate service to its highly
intelligent constituency or to become
the model Free Public Library in the
amount and quality Of its service that
ought to obtain in tho National Capital
city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
PUBLIC LIBRARY.

A reading Of the report of the board
Of trustees Of the Free Public Library
and of the report of the librarian to
the trustees gives emphasis to at least
three facts about public library devel-
opment in Washington: U) The Public
Library is furnishing to the District a
large and constantly increasing serv-
ice Of high quality; CD it is doing this
on an insufficient basis Of financial sup
port-a support that remains almost
stationary and one that does not in
crease as fast as its work increases;
and (3) the public library needs of the
District are far from being met and
this must continue until (a) the pres
emit library system is better supported
and until CD the system is enlarged to
include a series OF properly supported
branch libraries.
The librarians report shows that the
library circulated S80.043 volumes into
washington homes last year, or nearly
10 per cent more than the figures of
1915 of 802,998 volumes. and 70 per cent
more than the circulation Of 1914 of
71s.s34 volumes; ana "a tn vat the picture
cent Increase over 1915 and q 80 per
cent increase over 1914. This record OF
largely increased work has been made
without any material increase OF force
The library report contains some
striking comparisons between the local
Public Library and the public libraries
Of other American cities above 1000
population. These comparisons show
that our library Is inadeQuately sup
ported as compared with other mu-
nicipal libraries of its class. Out Of
thirty-one other cities nearest Wash
inRton In population twenty-five Gn-
Guiding seven cities smaller than
Washington have larger library ap-
propriations than has Washington. In
these same thirty-one cities twenty
four have . higher per capita expendi-
ture for their public libraries than has
Warrington; tho average 10 nearly 80
in9ton. That the local Public Library
is economically administered Is shown
- d. No. 1T t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
POLICE DEPARTMENT.

The police force. which includes 715
men. exclusive Of the street railway
crossing officers. to whom Congress gave
pension and other privileges in the 1917
appropriation act. Is smaller today than
assigned to the Same duties, and twenty
less than It was in 1912, when the num-
Der was 735.
The fiscal year ending June 80. 1916,
was ono during which few changes were
made in tho personnel Of the commits
stoned officers Of the force. The two i'm
portant promotions made were brought
about when a vacancy In the position OF
assistant superintendent was created by
the death Of Inspector Robert H. Board
man. who was chief Of detectives in the
metropolitan police department for seven
teen years.
There have been a number Of admins
trative changes made after a careful
thorough consideration Of the best
methods to get maximum efficiency in
the administration and work OF the force.
Some of the principal changes which have
been made in the administration Of the
department during the year 1915 and in
the last months OF tho previous fiscal
year were:
/. Giving increased attention to traffic
accidents and holding monthly meetings
Of all men engaged in regulation of traffic
for study Of uniform methods of work
and study Of traffic problems.
2. Permitting each and every man on
the force to confer with the head Of the
department concerning any matter OF in
terest which he might wish to lay before
the major and superintendent.
3. Reviving weekly conferences with
comma nding officers Of precincts, and in
time the inspectors and lieutenants.
4. Inaugurating monthly meetings of
sergeants for the purpose Of discussing
sergeants' duties In connection with the
various problems, and particularly meth
DDS Of strengthening the work Of super
vision of patrolmen.
5. Reducing and doing away with
numerous details Of men engaged on in
District government: Each change was
made after careful consideration and
after it was decided by the head Of the
department and approved by the District
Commissioners that the services OF the
men were needed more in patrolling the
streets than on detail assignments.
s. Adoption Of new style overcoat for
the winter. similar to the overcoat worn
by the men on the forces Of New York,
Philadelphia and virtually all of the
larger and progressive cities.
7. Development of methods and proce-
dure by which more effective administra-
tive control and increased efficiency in
the work Of the department may be OBJ
tanned.
g. Working out a system of reports on
each and every assignment given In the
detective bureau. so that permanent rec
ord may be kept Of work done and action
taken on every case. and doing away en-
tirely with the old haphazard system in
the department OF trusting to a mans
memory when information is called for on
a case at any time
9. Reviving rev, er practice in the de-
partment in order to prevent danger of
accidents sometimes caused by inaccurate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

A few things are essentially needed
in legislation for this branch of the
taxing department Of the District of
. Columbia.
One is a law substantially as recon-
mended by the Commissioners at the
last session of Congress, permitting the
holder of tax title to real estate TO go
into a court of equity and seek settle
ment, where all parties concerned may
present their claims and have them
property adjudicated. Ample time
should be given the owner of the prop
erty to settle these claims, but when
| this time shall have expired. any further
delay on the part of the holder of the
property. who perhaps during all this
time has enjoyed the privilege of occu-
pancy or the emoluments of rental,
| imports that he is willing to enjoy the
privileges and protection of govern
ment while evading his share of it's
financial burdens. There are a few con-
spicuous examples of such delinquency,
| which render 1t advisable that such IA
law should be enacted. not only for the
| additional revenue 1t will bring the
community, but for the specific purpose
of preventing such evasive property
holders from setting bad and I'M
patriotic example for others
| Another change that should be imme-
| diately effected. for the furtherance of
| proper accounting and the placing of
, administrative responsibility where 1t
directly belongs. is the enactment of
! a law transferring the posting of the
|
Office of the assessor to the Office of the
collector of taxes. That proposition
was also favorably recommended by the
! Commissioners during the last session
| of Congress. but failed of enactment.
An annual registration of license tax
| on automobiles. motor cycles and all
other motor vehicles. in lieu of all per-
sonal taxes thereon, is again recon-
mended. The present system of a per-
petual license tax Is susceptible to
many kinds of abuse. 1t furnishes no
basis of correct information as to the
actual number of automobiles owned in
| the District. An annual license charge
| sufficient to bring revenue to the Dis
| trict would be surely collectible, while
! a personal tax levied must always de-
pend upon many contingencies. Such a
| change deserves careful consideration
| A similar registration of motor boats,
launches and other water craft. requir-
Ing the owners thereof to register their
| boats, with name and complete descrip-
| ton, Issuing to them an Identification
number. would facilitate efforts in this
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE,

This department was organized in
1902 and has supervision over all mat
tiers pertaining to insurance In the
District of Columbia.
There has been no change or amend
ment in the insurance laws in the Dis
trict during the past year. In point of
fact. there are few states where the
incorporation laws relating to insur-
rance companies are SO lax. There is
a marked tendency throughout the va
rious states toward uniformity in in
surance legislation and it is hoped that
in the near future the insurance laws
Of the District will reflect the latest
progressive enactments which have al
ready proved their value in many
states.
Residents of the District during 1915
paid for premiums on all classes Of In.
surance $7.5s9,545.o7. The losses paid
on risks in the District amounted to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

trict Of Columbia, which said space Is
occupied or used in connection with
the business OF said users"
The same act contains the following
provision for assessing private prop
erty abutting roadways for the dement's
derived from such improvements, which
embodies notifications of the previous
law on the subject needful to meet con-
ditions developed by experience and not
adequately covered by that statute:
"Sec. 8. That hereafter the half cost
Of the paving or repaving of a road
way between the side thereof and the
center thereof with sheet asphalt, as
phalt block. granite block, vitrifed
block, cement concrete. bituminous con-
crete. macadam, or other form Of pave
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
At the end Of 1915. 254 insurance COM
pauiea and aaaocia tioua KaIa UceuSed

At the end Of 1915, 254 insurance COM
panies and associations were licensed
to transact business here.
The assets Of all insurance companies
and associations transacting business
here on December 31,1915, amounted to
s.. .742.079: liabilities, $4,6so.o11.-
1889, and surplus. including capital,
$1,040, ,SS0.31.
The revenue collected by the depart
ment during 1915 consisted Of $19,509. rs
for license fees and assignments and
$86,548.83 for taxes on premiums, max
ing a total of $106,05s.59. an increase
over the previous calendar year of
$3.28b.4S. The total expenses Of operat-
ing this department amounted to $780,
1915.
There were 1e companies admitted to
the District, withdrew or reinsured
and 3 companies withdrew applications
for license or were refused license.