Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-10-09
MATWAN ACTS
ON EXPLOSIONS
Resolutions Are Adopted by Coun.
Gil Against Management of
T. A. Gillespie Plant.

~ 'HINA0N COTEEtNOM0GNN.
MATAWAN, oct. 9:-Resolutions
to be forwarded to Congressman
Thomas J. Scully concerning the ex-
plosion and rebuilding Of the big
Morgan shell loading plant, the erec-
ton of a large bulletin board for an
honor roll. the employing of a dog
catcher and the reading Of several
communications consisted of the
business coming before the borough
council at the first October meeting
last night.
Considerable discussion took place
concerning the explosions at the It. A.
Gillespie Shell Loading plant at Nor
gan Friday night and Saturday. The
council was of the opinion that each
plant where explosives are made
should have someone to notify the
officials OF each town or city in the
vicinity as to just what could be ex-
pected IL the plant were blown up.
II this had been done, the council
commended that much of the panic felt
by the Matawan people, who after
each explosion were told q worse one
was still to come. would have been
avoided.
The council was notified OF the ac-
ton and resolution which has been
started by the Perth Amboy Council
OF Defense and backed his organiza-
ton to the limit. They also passed
two resolutions to be forwarded to
Congressman Scully as follows:
BE 1t and 1t is hereby resolved by
the mayo and council of the borough
of Matawan that the T. A. Gillespie
Company and the United States gov
eminent be requested to remunerate
the municipality and individuals for
losses by damage received as a result
OF the destruction Of the Morgan
Shell Loading plant, and that q copy
Of this resolution be forwarded to
Congressman Scully and presented to
congress-"
The other resolution concerning
the rebuilding of the plant is:
Whereas q great disaster has ov-
ertaken this community through the
destruction of the munitions plant at
our doors, and
Whereas 1t has been alleged and
circumstances seem to indicate that
said disaster was due to faulty con-
struction and Incompetent manage
ment, therefor be 1t
Resolved that the Matawan bor-
ough council hereby registers its en-
phatic protest against the reconstruc-
ton and operation of this plant under
the conditions which mad this ca
tastrophe possible: and be 1t further
Resolved that we call upon the
State and National Council of De-
Tense, our senators and congressman
from this state and the State of New
York and the authorities of all mu-
inequalities affected thereby, to CO.
! operate with U.S. that proper investi-
cations and remedial measures be
taken Immediately to prevent the re-
petition of this menace to the lives of
our people" .
Arthur Murish. of 2S1 Bertrand
avenue, Perth Amboy, was appointed
official dog catcher for the borough.
The borough is to notify him when
clearing the town of dogs. Murish
will be paid $3.50 for each dog killed
and 81 for each released dog.
A communication from the Depart
ment of Charities and Corrections OF
the state notified the council tina the
jail or lookup is not ft for use and
that II must put. in the proper
condition. III. was placed II
the hands of the NC Health ana
afetv Committee and it vas decided
to write the department ana learn
Just what the objections to the Lookup
are SO that they may be corrected.
The finance committee was ADVISED
to ascertain the cost necessary TO
employ an auditor to audit the books
for the past five years.
s. Councilman b. X. Eskesen placeo
before the council plans for a Mata-
wan honor roll containing h names
of all the men who are In service
from this borough and township. me
roll is copied after those in vogue In
the New England States. being pullt
like a large signboard and placed In
some vacant lot II the borough and
each mans name who Is in service or
who may be called is then painted
upon the board The intention Is TO
have this boards instead of the service
flag to tell the Z ,ople how many boys
are In service. The council gave l.s
approval to the proposition ana auo
vised Councilman Eskesen to nave
the board erected.