New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-13

or the police at once.
Of the burned area. Father Thomas j..
McDermott found three Poles, employees
Of the plant. helpless in the icy mud OF
the marsh. and with the help OF men
who went 10 his assistance, he rushed
them to the Rutherford Hospital. They
had been there about twelve hours.
On his way out al the danger zone
Father McDermott heard cry IN one
Of the houses, supposedly empty. En-
terng there, ne found feeble old man,
Anthony Eula, VINO was almost dead
from cold. He. too, was taken 10 the
hospital
Three members of the New York City
bomb squad. Detectives Senf, Murphy
and Coy visited the plant yesterday
and questioned several.
Almost S.OO0,O 900 Of the total loss, II
appears from the company's statement
must be borne by the Russian govern
ment No direct reference to this is
made by the company officials, but the
statement says:
The company was protected TO the
amount of about 100000 in insurance
on the buildings and their contents.
The rest is a total loss, OF which about
S6,000,O00 is the loss of the company
Russia Is Big Loser
This accounts for only S9,000,000 OF
the total. Sl675O.00O. An earlier para
graph in the statement specifically
stated that a great quantity Of the
shells held al the plant had been de
livered in storage at Kingsland to the
representatives Of the Russian govern
ment," and it is known that the Cars
government had advanced S2O,OOO,OOO TO
insure the concerns output
These facts support the belief that
Russia was a quasi-partner IN the mu-
ntionS plant with the Canadian COM
many, and that 10 alone suffered the
portion Of the loss not explained.
From other sources 10 was learned
Yesterday that Russian agents, up until
the hour when the fire and explosions
began. were negotiating with the Cana
dian Car and Foundry Company for the
purchase Of the kingslsud plant. These
negotiations even may have reached a
point where the Russian government
had actually guaranteed TO take over
the concern.
/. officials of the company, a. 100
Broadway. would not comment on this
Yesterday. but It's truth was admitted
by r. A. SHELTON, secretary Of the con-
cern. who makes his headquarters IN
Montreal Whether the purchase had
actually been concluded Mr. SHELTON
was unable 10 state.
The complete statement issued last
night from the New York Offices fol-
lows:
IN March. 1918. the Canadian Car
and Foundry Company, Ltd, OF Mont
real. entered into contracts with the
Russian government TO supply 5,OOO,O0O
rounds Of three-inch ammunition, half
shrapnel and half high explosive
shells.
"These contracts were partly com
pleted by March. 1916, and on March g.,
1916. they were assigned TO a New York
corporation an agency OF the Cana
dian Car and Foundry Company
which took over the two main contracts
and all subsidiary contracts and sup
plies. The agency undertook 10 COM
plete and deliver the full quantity OF
100000 rounds.
hngsland Plant an Agency
"The agency had a large plant near
Kngsland. s. j.. foi the purpose OF as
semblng. packing and preparing these
shells for shipment. 40 shells were
manufactured on the premises. Large
quantities of these shells have been
/ shipped TO Russia.
There were employed from time 70
time at Kingsland between 3,OOO and
1000 men.
"The two contracts were practically
completed. A large quantity OF the
4 shells had been delivered in storage at
Kingsland to the representatives OF the
Russian government, and the remainder
of the shells were being assembled and
hacked Yesterday when a fire took place
i'm one Of the large buildings used for
/ cleaning shells.
THE buildings destroyed were valued
at about S750.OOO. The value Of the
8 contents o. the buildings DESTROYED
amounted TO approximately Sl6,OOO,OOO.
"The company was protected TO the
amount Of about S3,O00OO IN lnsur-
ance on tho buildings and their con
/ tents. The rest rs total loss, OF
which about SG000,000 is the loss OF
/ the company.
80 far as we have been able to
ascertain no one was killed or seri-
| ously injured as result Of the hre
and subsequent explosions.
IAN examination into the clrcum
stances attending the origin of the
fire in Building No. 30 has created the
impression that 10 is possible, If not
probable. that the fire was Of IN
ccndiarv origin The officials of the
company do not wish to make any
further definite statement with regard
to this until the Investigations arc
completed.
1T rs quite possible that the build
ings will not be reconstructed.
"The entire plant was most care
fully guarded. and every safeguard
known to science had been installed.
Every possible provision had been
made to safeguard the adjoining prem
iscs against injuries resulting from
explosion.
"1he company had secured insur
ance in favor Of the inhabitants OF
KnCsland which, we understand, will
more then cover any loss Of or dam
age 10 brldngs in that town"