New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-03
Statistics on Shipments of
Explosives to France Are
Placed at Their Disposal
McAdoo Is Warned
American Defence SocietyPro.
tests Against Giving Military
information to the Enemy

the government are supposedly strain
ing every nerve TO prevent enemies
within from getting military informa-
tion TO Germany, printed reports
issued by the New York Board OF FIRE
Underwriters, containing exact infor-
nation concerning the quantity Of am
munition sent TO France, accompanied
by maps showing IT'S transportation
routes. location of storage magazines
and its final point Of cmbarkatlon'
have been sent to the German fire in
surance companies, recently ordered to
suspend business, according TO officials
Of the American Defence Society.
This report, compiled by the bureau
Of surveys of the underwriters, IS
issued for the protection of the insur-
ance companies throughout the United
States. 1t appears regularly. This
means that ever since the beginning
o, the war the German insurance com
panies have been getting this detailed
information. Germany in this way has
been able TO keep accurately advised
of the movements Of munitions, from
what terminals they left for Europe,
and by that information TO finally as
certain the ships and time OF sailings.
Mr.. McAdoo Warned
The serious situation has been called
officially TO the attention of William
G.. NcAdoo, Secretary Of the Treasury,
bv the American Defence Society, be
cause al insurance matters during the
war come under his jurisdiction. lu
the letter sent TO Secretary McAdOo
By Richard VI. Hurd, president of the
society, proofs are submitted IN the
form Of 4 specimen report taken fro,.
the complete report issued TO the Ger
man along with other fire insurance
companies.
The following specimen Of this re-
port, which was given 10 all the fire in
surancc companies. is presented TO
Secretary McAdoo, with the locations
deleteG, in proof os the accusation OF
negligence made by the American Dc
fence Society:
(X) Railway, station AT closed
freight pier, about nine cars daily OF
explosives, including smokeless pow
der and wet nitrO-cellulose (gun cot
tom. And also every two weeks one
car Of dynamite (this shipment for
local purposes).
(X) Railway system, station X-At
float bridges, about nine cars each
week of loaded projectiles complete
except fuses not assembled therein)
and small arms ammunition.
D. A. Il
pier Y, about two cars per day III all
of decorating fuses, smokeless pow
der, black powder and blasting caps.
Also at same pier less than car lots
of black powder, smokeless powder
and dynamite handled once a week in
regular local business.
(A) Railway, station Fifteen TO
twenty cars Of hay each week during
season and less than car load lots Of
strike-anywhere matches every six
months.
(X) Railway, station Y-At open
platform about S,465 feet south Of
Blank Avenue R.R. bridge, about nine
cars per week Of explosives. including
loaded projoctics lcomplete) and wet
picric acid.
Locates Dynamite Magazines
Another portion Of the report also
shows the exact location Of ninety-four
dynamite magazines, stating the
Of the explosive in storage, to-
gether with the statement that 84S,475
pounds of dynamite vas used in 1916.
Mr.. Hurd, after calling the attention
of Secretary McAdoo 20 the publication
OF this report and the fact that il was
given to the German insurance compa-
mics, in another paragraph commented
on the fact that millions Of dollars
belonging TO German fire insurance
are deposited in pro- German
banks or banking houses. On this sub
ject he writes:
with regard to the funds Of these
amounting to many millions
Of dollars, il would appear probable
that these funds are more or less
deposited with pro-German banks or
banking houses, where they may have
already been used TO establish credits
TO strengthen German financies. Would
II not be measure Of caution TO in
struct your representatives to transfer
all funds of German companies from
pro-German banks or banking houses
to well known American banks?"
The campaign against the German
fire insurance companies was COM
menced at luncheon held at the Mid
day Club by the trustees Of the Ameri-
can Defence Society on June 26. 1917.
1t resulted in victory which followed
the hearing on the subject Of closing
all the enemy companies under the
authority Of the trading with the
enemy act, held before Secretary Nc.
Adoo in Washington November Is.
Although the government has or
dered these companies TO suspend
business they have four months in
which TO liqudate, and during that
time, as members Of the board OF un-
derwriters, are receiving the reports
issued by the board of Gre underwrit-
ers to all the fire insurance compa-
mics.