Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-11-23

He admitted that the small pay
given the guards kept men from ec-
cepting the job.
Pushed on by questions asked by
Sheriff Geran. tho witness admitted
that II would be possible for an en-
ploye to transfer his button to an
other man who could enter the plant
unhindered. Only on two days. the
witness said, was there a careful
search made at the main entrances
to the plant
Guards were hired and put to work
on the day they applied for work, ho
fore the much mooted employment
and investigation OF applicants sys
tenn, had chance ia function, tho
chief admitted
An order had been placed for a
phone system by which the various
posts could be connected with guard
headquarters.
Lieut. Charles Emmons, of the plant
guard. was then called to testify as to
his duties there. His stay on the
stand was short and unimportant.
Sergeant Charles A. Bowan, also
one of the guards. who had charge
of the search for matches at the unit
entrances. described the search both
at the main gates and at the unit
sgates.
Sergeant Bowen discredited for
mer guard named Peterson who had
testified before the committee and
told OF a reprimand delivered to Pe-
terson for not searching some wit
nesses.
The women employees OF the units
were not searched when they went
into them. They were, at times.
searched when they left the plant as
equipment for the women had been
missed.
Edward Wells. a detective sergeant
at the plant, described his activity
and searches In outbuildings and
units.
Robert A.. Kane. a guard at the
| main gate of 6-1-1 unit. corroborated
the testimony as to the search for
matches and gave a humorous ac-
count of the methods used in the
search.
Yesterday Aftcrnoon,s Session.
The defense interposed by the Gil
lespie interesttysss-tarted with the ar
ternoon session yesttee,cs'ay---zltssri, ~, 8
been apparent for some time that the
company was anxiously awaiting the
opportunity to place their witnesses
on the stand to present their side of
the case.
1t was with apparnt assurance that
they would be able to combat the dam
gerous testimony thus far produced
that the legal representatives plunged
into the defens9.
The examination of Walter s. Fin
kin. superintendent of the Baker,
Smith operations at the Morgan plant
was continued with cross examination
by #. 8. Faulkes, of counsel for the
GILLESPIE Company He elaborated
upon the system of safety devices
used on the kettles of TINT and amatol
and this Gillesples. desired to show
was fool proof" and would certain
nF
ten pounds. The cross examination
also was conducted as to the gauges
which the government inspectors
claim were out of order. faulty and
some of which. in certain instances.
registered as high as fifteen pounds
ment regulations called for no excess
over five pounds and later over ten
pounds
Mr.. Geran brought out from the wit
ness that Baker-Sm are working
with the Gillespies on the reconstruct
ton Of the plant. There was no sys-
tematic inspection by Baker Smith of
the gauges after their installation, the
witness said. but test was made of
the steam pressure There was no
actual test of the gauges In 6-1-1 after
installation by Baker-Smiths
Repeated questions by Mr.. Geran
brought out the fact that anyone
WOrhlllB III INC Duliuluk WOutu uOb
know that the water in the safety de-
vice was running out, except If they
looked at the gauges. The poor mix
ture In the kettle would be an indi-
cation that the steam pressure was
lowered.
The man operating the kettle
would know that the water was out OF
the device by the kissing steam
through the pipes. he said
Charles M. Wills. an instructor and
graduate OF the inspectors school
at Morgan. said that he had observed
unsafe conditions at the plant. He
spoke of seeing men swomking cigars.
cigarettes and pipes right up to the
spoke OF seeing men smoking cigars,
away the cigars or cigarettes and
blow the ashes out OF their pipes az
the gates OF the unit regardless or
where they might fall onto infiam-
mable material and be blown abous
the grounds.
He spoke 30 Captain Ely of the con-
dHions with regard to the smoking.
Conditions In some parts Of 6-1-1 were
good, but In the dangerous part OF
the unit the conditions were bad, the
employees were careless. the floors were
CONTINUED on page ive.)