New-York tribune., 1916-07-31

shouting, when the doors finally were
burst open, and the crowd rushed IN
to fall on its knees in prayer.
Throngs OF men, women and children
surrounded the City Hall, seeking a
place OF refuge. The space in front
Of the building was packed with a mass
Of humanity fifteen minutes after the
second explosion.
An attempt TO enter the hall caused
Commissioner Moore TO order the
lights turned on, so that the people
would not be injured in the crush.
Many remained in the building
throughout the night and others
sought the parks and open spaces,
where they sat until daylight.
The doors of the home Of the So
ciety for the Prevention OF Cruelty 10
Children were thrown open to persons
made homeless by the destruction OF
the barges. The German Hospital, ST;
Francis Hospital and Christ Hospital
sent their doctors and nurses 70 the
scene of the explosions. while dozens
of automobiles drove up 10 these IN
stitutions and offered their services
Jitney buses were pressed into service
and driven rapidly to the water 'front.'
All Police Called Out.
James Norton, Deputy Director Of
Public Safety, ordered all the police
captains and all of the available men 70
the scene Word was flashed over the
city to all policemen to safeguard llVes
and property 10 the fullest extent OF
their power. Between the frst and sec
ond explosion a large number or the IN,
jured were taken TO the City Hospital
1 ,,l ord Nnl-
unteer automobiles.
The exigencies OF the situation
caused all men not knocked out abso-
lutely to remain on the job, despite
their pains and wrecked nerves. The
firemen were almost helpless TO aid, as
the water tanks and pipe systems be
meath the warehouses were put out OF
business by the concussion, and lines
coupled to the mains received no water.
Fire Chief Boyle and Police Chief
Monahan ordered the crowd that surged
TO the waterfront fully 800 yards from
the warehouses, because Of the danger
from flying shells. The fremen aban-
doned the water mains, and the en-
gines were dragged back and placed on
the bulkheads west Of the Lehigh VAL
ley piers to draw water from the bay.
Despite the rattle of exploding shells
the men stood fast and fought the blaze
as best they could.
Citizens Afraid 20 Go Home
When the eastern lights broke the
day it was on a city awake and with
fully one-half of its population in the
streets. Until that time it was not
known what had occurred, except that
there had been explosions. So far as
possible the citizens were assured that
all danger was past and they could re-
turn to their homes. While the ma
jority did so. thousands refused TO stir
from their places Of refuge, many re-
naming in the parks until last even
ing.
With the dawn merchants hurried to
their places of business TO ascertain
the damage done to their property and
wares. Carpenters were at premium
to arrange temporary barriers in thou
sands Of broken windows, and saws
and hammers were busy all day. Many
turned amateur carpenters, TO close
their windows and store fronts against
possible theft. Some protected their
property with wire nettings. Hardware
stores and lumber yards were besieged
for material
General Wood, commander of the
Department of the East, sent Colonel
Halstead and several other members
of his staff with q proffer to the City
Commissioners of any army tents for
the use of the homeless if they should
be needed. Colonel Halstead was told
that the city was able to cope with the
situation, and that IL there were any
homeless persons they would be cared
for. Fortunately, the destruction did
not reach that stage
Governor Hurries To Scene.
Governor Fielder received word of
the explosion at his summer home in
Sea Girt and hurried TO Jersey City by
automobile to ascertain the extent of
the loss. He expressd qualification
that the damage was no worse and that
the city had escaped without any seri-
Gus number If deaths.
only two cases Of looting were re-
ported. One man was taken after steal
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