The weekly Alaska citizen., 1917-12-10
INTENT OF LAW OF EXPLOSIVES
 IS EXPLAINED

circulars were received by Tn. C.H zen from the Department of the In tcgtor explaining ,he war measure rc garding the handling of explosives which was passed hy Congress at the last session. The law is boing pu, into effect by the Bureau O. Mines throughout the country. and supc,int.nd nj John A Da,s. of th, Fairbanks Experimental Station. i in charge of the enforcement of th, law for this district
 The circular received from the dc partmont follows:
 Wa hington, Nov. 1I-Any person in the United States found with ex- p'osiycs in his possession after No yembor l.. and does not have a Ii ccnse issued by the Federal govern mcnt showing the purpose for what the explosives are to be used will be at once arrested and fined up to $5,O00 or sent to prison for one year If the circumstances warrant. the person may be fined 5000 and in ad dition given the one year in prison.
 This is the principal clause in a war measure passed by the last Con gress which is now being put into effect by the Bureau of Mines, D. partment of the Interior which bu reau has been charged with its en fogccment. Franci7 s. Peabody, Of Chicago. well known coal operator familiar with the use of explosives, large amounts of which are used in the coal mining industry. has been appointed by Secretary of the In terior Lane to act as assistant to tho Director of the Bureau of Mines. Van H Manning. In the enforcement of the law
 
 bureau is empowered to utilize th. services of all United States officer and all police officers of the state. including the city police forces, conn ty sheriffs. deputies, conztablcs and all officers in any way charged with police duties. 1'he police of the cities have already organized for this work. headed hy committee Of chiefs of police In the big cities, of which Major R w Pullman, SUI perintcndent of police of Washington, D. C.. Is chairman. The police are not only to look after the enforce ment of the law. but are to also mako thorough investigations of all dyna- mite outrages and fires in factories and warehouses. and to make their report 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 the Federal or state laws. Most states have special ly severe punishments for these crimes New York has an extreme penalty of twenty-five years imprison- ment for the placing of dynamite with intent to blow up property. The penalty provided In this Federal war measure is merely to cover the file gal possession of explosives.
 The law provides that anyone who handles explosives must have Ii cense The manufacturer. the i'm porter and the exporter must have licenses issued by the Bureau of Mines in Washington. The seller of explosives and the purchaser Of explosives must also have licenses, these to be issued generally by coun- tv clerks. or o'her local officers who are authorized to administer oaths, There will be at least one licensing otncer in each county, and more agents will be designated if the country is sufficiently large to war rant it. If state has laws pro yiding for a system of licensing per sons manufacturing. storing. selling or using explosives. the state officials authorized to issue such state licens- es shall be designated by federal Ii, censing agents; also city official qualified to issue city explosive li- ccnses will be given authority to is sue federal licenses. A federal li- cense will not relieve any person from securing licenses required under state laws and local ordinances.
 In each state there will be appoint ed state explosive 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