Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-15
THIS LAW MAY
STOP BOMB PLOTS
Handling Explosive without a
License Is Crime after
November Is.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE bureau Of
mines announces that any person found
with explosives in his possession after
November Is, and who did not have a
license issued by the federal government
showing the purpose for which the ex-
plosives were to be used, would be arrested
at once. The penalty is a fine Of 5000, or
one year in prison or both.
This is the principal clause In war
measure passed by the last Congress,
which is now being put into effect by the
bureau Of mines. department of the in
terror. Francis s. Peabody of Chicago, a
coal operator familiar with the use of
explosives, has been appointed to act as
assistant to the director of the bureau Of
mines, Van H. Manning. In the enforce
ment of the law. The director Of the bureau
is empowered to utilize the services Of all
United States officers and all police officers
Of the states. including the city police
forces, county sheriffs, deputies. con-
stables, and all officers in any way
charged with police duties. The police of
the cities have already been organized for
this work, headed by a committee OF
chiefs Of police in the big cities. Of which
Major r. w. Pullman, superintendent OF
police Of Washington. is chairman. The
police are not only to look after the en-
forcement of the law. but are also to make
thorough Investigations Of all dynimate
outrages and fires in factories and ware
houses, and to make their reports to the
director of the bureau of mines.
Persons apprehended in plots to blow
up factories and bridges will be turned
over to the authorities for prosecution,
under federal or State laws. Most States
H. to1 futS Ant0 fnr
these crimes. New York has an extreme
penalty of Is years Imprisonment for
the placing of dynamite with intent to
blow up property. The penalty provided
In the federal measure Is merely to cover
the illegal possession of explosives.
The law provides that every one who
handles explosives must have a license.
The manufacturer, the importer, and the
exporter must have licenses issued by
the bureau Of mines. The seller Of ex-
plosives and the purchaser Of explosives
must also have licenses, these to be
issued generally by county clerks or other
local officers who are authorized to ad-
minister oaths. There will be at least
one licensing officer in each county, and
more agents will be designated IT, the
county is sufficiently large to warrant IT,
II State has laws providing for a sys-
tenn of licensing persons manufacturing,
storing. selling. or using explosives the
State officials authorized to issue such
licenses shall be designated as federal
licensing agents; also city officials quail
fed to issue city explosives licenses will
be authorized to issue federal licenses.
federal license will not relieve any
person from obtaining a license required
under State laws and local ordinances.
In each State there will be appointed
State explosives inspector. who will
| represent the bureau Of mines in the
administration of the law within the
State.
Only citizens Of the United States or of
countries friendly to the United States
and the allies may 30 obtain licenses.
Contractors. mining companies. quarry
men. and others using large quantities
of explosives which are handled by en-
ployes may issue explosives to such en-
ployes only as have licenses.
The purchaser Of dynamite, in obtain
ing a license, must state definitely what
the explosive 10 to be used for. and will
be held accountable for its use as stated
and the return of any explosives that
may be left.
| With the strict enforcement of this law
| the federal authorities hope to put a
stop to all further dynamite plots.