Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-21

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21:-Repre-
sentative Thomas ]. Scully, who has
been giving practically all of his time
here recently in an effort to obtain as
speedily as possible compensation for
the sufferers from the recent expio-
Plant, had conference at his office
yesterday with Brigadier General
Pierce and his aides. Colonels Cruz
and Seagrave, who represented the
office of the chief of ordnance.
At this conference details of the
plan to get compensation speedily
were gone into thoroughly and an
agreement reached on a bill which
would have the support of the secre-
tary of war. Two and a half million
dollars was the sum agreed upon.
This may be increased later. II neces-
sary. The provision for compensa-
ton will take the form of a joint
resolution which has been submitted
by Congressman Scully and which Is
as follows:
ITO enable prompt liquidation of
claims for damages to persons and
property occasioned by an explosion
or explosions at the plant of the T.
A. Gillespie Loading Company at
Morgan. N ].
Resolved by the Senate and House
of Representative of the United
States of America in congress assem-
bled. That in order to enable prompt
liquidation Of claims for damages to
and loss of private property and for
personal injuries to persons other
than officers or employees of the Unit
ed States oocasioned by an explosion
or explosions at the plant of the T.
A. Gillespie Loading Company at
Morgan. N. j., on or about October s,
1918. there is appropriated. out of
any money In the treasury not other
wise appropriated. $2,600,000, to be
Immediately available and to remain
available until expended: Provided,
that settlement of such claims shall
be made by the Ordnance Depart
ment of the War Department, upon
the approval and recommendation of
the chief of ordnance of the War De-
partment whore the amount of dam
ages has been ascertained by him,
and payment thereof will be accepted
by the owners of the property or by
injured persons in full satisfaction
and settlement of such damages.
Provided further, that payments out
of this appropriation may be made
for repairs and construction work to
contractors with the United States
where such repairs and construction
work will be accepted as payment by
the owners of the damaged property
In full satisfaction and settlement of
SUCH damages.
AS soon as Congressman Scully in
troduced his previous resolution for an
investigation, he got in touch with the
War Department officials and they
also began an investigation to make 1t
possible to give speedy financial relief.
The Congressman has had sufficient
experience in Congress to realize that
that body moves slowly. while the
War Department can, in emergencies
such as now exist, get immediate &C
ton where 1t is demanded by circum-
stances.
insistence, the War Department on
October 10, began an investigation
into the losses sustained in the district
affected. This report was placed in
Congressman Scully's hands this
morning by a representative of the
War Department. 1t goes very fully
into all of the details and says that the
loss. as estimated by the War Depart
ment Off1cials. will amount to over two
million dollars. The resolution which
Congressman Scully has introduced as
already noted. provides for an appro-
priation of two and a half million dol
lars.
The report of the War Department
Is as follows:
Report OF preliminary survey of
damage outside of government prop
erty. caused by the destruction of tn
T. A. Gillespie Shell Loading Plant at
Morgan, N. J.
1. The Gillespie Shell Loading
Plant, at Morgan, New Jersey, was de-
stroyed on October 4 and by a series
of explosions which caused consider
able damage to the structures In the!
surrounding country. n
fcontfnuec on page 81