The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-12
MUST HAVE LICENSE
TO use EXPLOSIVES
Execution BY Bureau Of
Mines.
FINE AND PRISON
PENALTY ATTACHED
Manufacturer, Importer and Export
or II Not Alien Enemy May Obtain
License I'm Washington.

Washington. November 11.--Any per-
son in the United States found with
explosives in his possession after Mo-
vember Is. and who does not 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 $4,000
or sent to prison for one year If the
circumstances warrant. the person may
be nned 5000. and In addition given
the one year In prison.
This In the principal clause In a war
measure passed by the last congress
which 10 now being put into effect by
the bureau OF mines. department of the
interior, which bureau has been
charged with its enforcement Francis
6. Peabody. of Chicago. q well-known
coal operator familiar with tho use OF
explosives. large amounts of which are
ussd in the coal-mining industry. has
bc.'n appointed by Secretary of the In
tsrior Lane TO act as assistant to the
dirsctor of the bureau of mines. Van
II. Manning. in the enforcement OF tho
law. Under the law. the director of
the bureau In empowered to utilize the
services of all Ur ited States officers
and ali police officers OF the states.
Including the city police forces county
sherifrs. deputies, constables, and all
oficers In any way charged with po-
lice tuties The police of the cities
have already been organized for this
work. headed by n committee OF chiefs
Of police In the big cities. of which
Major R. w. Pullman, superintendent
OF police of Washington, D. C.. is
chairman. The police are not only to
look after the enforcement of the
law. but are also TO make thorough In
vsstiEations OF ali Dynamite outrages
and flres In factories and warehouses.
and to make their reports to the d.reo-
tor of tho bureau OF mines.
Persons Apprehended In plots to
blow up factories and bridges will be
turned over 70 the authorities for pros
scutton under federal or state laws.
Most states have specially severe pun
ishments for these crimes New York
has an extreme penalty OF twenty-five
years. Imprisonment for the placing OF
dynamite with intent to blow UP prop
srty. The penalty provided 10 thin
federal war measure 10 merely to
cover the illegal possession of exrlo-
sives.
The iaw provides that everyone who
handles explosives must have 8 license.
4
the exporter must have license issued
by the bureau OF mines In Washing
ton The seller of explosives and the
purchaser of explosives must also have
licenses. these TO DO Issued generally
,t,r-.-s..s..4 s-~e4et s.-ar- other LOCAL on
GERS who are authorized TO administer
oaths. There will be at least one II
censinE officer in each county. and
more agents will be designated X the
&c wuF1@iepttv 1Arge
IT II state has laws providing tor
"A system OF licensing persons mani
featuring storing, selling or using ex-
plostvek the state officials authorized
10 issue such state licenses shall be
designated as federal licensing agents
also city officials qualified 20 issue city
explosives licenses will be given au-
thority to issue federal licenses.
federal license will not relieve any
person from securing licenses required
under state laws and local ordinances
In each state there viii be appointed
a state explosives inspector. who VIII
represent the bureau of mines In the
administration OF the law within the
AZ afA
Only citizens OF me Uarred STATES o.
Of countries friendly to the United
states and the allies may SO obtain
Contractors mining com panieE, guar
ryrnen and others using large quaint
ties OF explosives. which are handled
by employees. may issue explosives to
their employees only through those EN-
ployes holding license. called fore
mans license.
The purchaser of dynamite, in OBJ
taining a license. must state definitely
what tho explosive Is 20 be used for
and will be held accountable for tts
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
prevent explosives falling into the
hands OF evtliv- disposed persons and
to put a stop to all further dynamite /
plots,