The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-11-15
TO KEEP A TAB ON
HIGH EXPLOSIVES


Washington, November 13-Any per-
son in the United States found with
explosives in his possession after No
yember is, and who does noet have a
license issued by the federal govern.
ment showing the purpose for what
the explosives are to be used, will be-
at once arrested and fined up to $5,00t
or sent to prison for one year. If the
circumstances warrant, the person
may be fined $4,000 and in addition
given the one year in prison.
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 Interior. which bureau has been
charged with its, enforcement Fran
els S. Peabody of Chicago, a we'll
known coal operator familiar with the
use of explosives, large amounts OF
which are used in the coal-mining in
dustry, has been appointed by Secre-
tary of the Interior Lane to act as
assistant to the director of the Bureau
of Mines, Van II. Manning, in the en-
forcement of the law. Under the law,
the director of the bureau is en-
powered to utilize the services of all
United States officers and all police
officers of the states, including the
city police forces, county sheriifs,
deputies, constables, 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.
Pullam, superintendent of police OF
Washington, is chairman. The police
are not only to look after the enforce
ment of the law but are also to make
thorough Investigations of all dyna-
mite outrages and fires in factories
and warehouses, and to make their re-
ports 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 fol
prosecution under federal or state
laws. Most states have specially Sc
we're punishments for these crimes.
New York has an extreme penalty of
twenty-five years Imprisonment for
the placing of dynamite with intent to
blow up property. The penalty pro-
vided in this federal war measure is
merely to cover the Illegal possession
OF explosives.
The law provides that everyone who
handles explosives must have a Ii
cense. The manufacturer, the inn
porter and the exporter must have Ii
censes issued by the Bureau of Mines
in Washington. The seller of explo-
sives and the purchaser of explosives
must also have licenses, these to be
issuer generally by county clerks, or
other local officers who are authorized
to administer oaths. There will be at
least one licensing officer in each
county, and more agents will be desig-
mated is the county is sufficiently
large to warrant it, If a state has laws
providing for a system of licensing
persons manufacturing storing, sell
ing or using explosives. the state of
ficials authorized to issue such state
licenses shall be designated as federal
licensing agents; also city officials
qualified to issue city explosives IL
censes will be given authority to issue
federal licenses. A federal license
will not relieve any person from Sc
curing licenses required under state
laws and local ordinances.
In each state there will be appointed
state explosives inspector, who viii
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 so obtain
licenses.
Contractors, mining companies,
quarrymen and others using large
quantities of explosives, which are
handled by employees, may issue eX-
plosives to their employees only
through those employees holding IL
cense, called a foreman's license.
The purchaser of dynamite, in OBJ
tanning a license. must state definitely
what the explosive is to be used for
and will be held accountable for its
use as stated and the return of any
explosive that may be left.
with the strict enforcement of this
law. the federal authorities hope tC
prevent explosives falling into th'
hands of evilly-disposed persons ant
10 put a stop to all further dynamite