davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28
THIRTEEN

which was shown in the effort OF ne
creased production led to some disre.
gard of respectable care on the part
of the Ordnance Department and
might probably have been a calamity
to tohse fighting for us on the othek
side. For this reason We can not see
that hte alleged need for great haste
is an excuse for the practices pursued
at the plant.
As stated above, the New Jersey
statute regulating the MANUFACTURES
OF explosives was ignored. There is
no Federal statute on the subjects
We have learned much in the past
-four years regarding the manufacture
and storage Of explosives. The lesson
should not be forgotten. From the
knowledge gained it should be posse
bic to prepare rules on the location
of plants for the manufacture and
storage of munitions for the governs.
ment and regulating such manufac-
ture and storage.
We recommend that the secretary
OF war and hte secretary of the navy
be requested to confer on the subject
and to submit to the senate a pros
posed bill thereon.
We further recommend that the
secretary of was be requested to cause
a rigid inquiry to be made into the
conduct of the officers charged with
supervision in behalf of the governs
meth of the construction n operas
ton of the Morgan plant and of the
shipmetn of explosives n loaded
shells thereto.
II. L. MYERS.
] C.. w. BECKHAM,
j, s. FRELINGHUYSEN.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28
CONTINUED from pase -

CONTINUED from pare II
The fire commenced shortly before
: o'clock on the night of October 4
and continued until the night of Oc-
tober s. AS the fire progressed stores
OF munitions exploded and fragments
OF buildings and shells were scattered
about for miles. The shock was felt
within a radius OF twenty-five miles.
Within the radius, however, OF ten
miles h shock was simply terrific.
Windows were blown out, chfmneys
thrown down, roofs destroyed, and
houses swayed back and forth. It is
estimated that 10000 people were
compelled to leave their homes and
remain in the open. Children were
prematurely born in the fields, and
many of those forced from their
homes were attacked with the iniu-
enza, which was then very prevalent.
How many deaths caused by shock
and influenza resulting from the dis
aster can not be stated. Eighty-seven
deaths were directly caused by the
disaster. The property loss of the
loss of property to residents in the
vicinity, together with various other
claims against the government be-
cause of the disaster, amount to about
three and one-half million dollars.
Those claims have not yet been fully
Sctueu, ana there Is a strong contrast
between the speed at which the gov
ernment was piling up explosives in
the vicinity Of Perth and South AM
boy and the elaboration with which
It is now repairing the damage to
property of residents and settling
their claims.
The site selected by the company
for the construction of the plant COM
prised some $500 acres. The COM
pany was composed of Mr.. T. A. Gill
lespie and his sons who had been
contractors and who had some exper-
fence In the erection of buildings and
who had also Been interested in the
manufacture of high-explosive shells
for the British and Russian govern
The buildings were planned
by one of their associates who had
been at one time connected with the
Du Pont Powder Company, and they
met with the approval of the Ord
nance Department. Theye were has
tily constructed, and Judging by the
experience gained from the fire. they
were too close together and had de-
fects which contributed to the rapid
spread of the conflagration.
The location of the plant was not
ideal. II doubtless was selected be-
aus of it's proximity to a supply of
labor n to the New York harbor.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28
lete Senate Report
On Big Morgan Explosion

The fire protection consisted of fire
extinguishcrs and fire pals located in
all buildings. Manufacturing build
ings were equipped with small hose
which were supplied by a pressure
water-pipe line from a million-gallon
reservoir. There was an underground
pipe line consisting of 6, 8, 10, 10, IA
and 16-inch cast-iron pipe which sup
piled a large number of hydrants,
each hydrant being equipped with an
adequate supply of fire hose, MOBILES,
etc. This system was supplied by two
two-stage centrifugal pumps, each
having a capacity of 1900 gallons per
minute and pumping from salt water.
A 16~,000-gallon talk on an S0-foot
treStle kept the system full and the
pumps primed. 1t was estimated that
with both pumps running 1t was pos
Sible to get twelve fire streams with
a nozzle pressure of SO pounds. At
the central firehouse there was an
auto chemical engine and an auto
irc-hose truck. Valves on the I'M
derground supply lines were so ar
ranged hat the various units could
be cut off in case of break and water
left on the other units.
The first explosion completely de-
molished a large portion of the unit
known as ell. The fremen
promptly endeavored to extinguish it
but their failure is attributed to flying
shells and continued explosions. What
was the cause of the fire we can not
tell. There was some suspicion that
it was caused by an alien enemy but
the evidence would not Justify a find
ing to that effect.
To load shells it was necessary to
reduce the explosives to a liquid. For
this purpose melting kettles heated by
steam coils were employed. The evil
dence tended to show that 1t was
dangerous in the process of melting
to apply heat in excess of 10 degrees
centigrade. If heat in excess of that
degree was applied fire was likely to
result, especially IL the explosives
contained impurities. A fire probably
did start in of the melting kettles
and was Immediately followed by an
explosion. There was some evidence
that gauges ON some of the kettles
were broken n that at times gauges
which were in operation recorded ex-
cessive temperature. Such evidence
was, however, c~ontradicted and those
who installed the gauges testified that
the safety devices were such that
they absolutely prevented a tempera-
ture beyond ITO degrees. While 1t is
not possible to state definitely what
was the cause of the fire it is possible
to state some of the causes for its
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28

the plant was, not properly guarded
and appealed to the war department
for a detachment of Regular soldiers.
Doubtless upon an investigation by
the War Department the reason for
the failure to comply with such a rea-
sonable request will be made plain
or those who ignored 1t will be pun
ished. Nothing was more important
than the guarding of such a plant.
The 1872 guards were divided into
three shifts, and 1t was obviously inn
possible for these guards to make GER
tain taht no one entering the prem
iseS carried matches, or even to see
that no n on the premises smoked.
Haste no doubt was demanded so
that our troops In France could have
an ample supply of ammunition. We
might overlook the danger to which
- sdents n property in the vicin-
tty 0 ia plant were exposed il there
was a certainty that the plant could
be relied upon to supply our soldiers
with the necessary munitions. 1t
needs only the statement of the fact
to show that the failure to observe
precautions for the protection OF res
idents and property in the vicinity
also exposed our soldiers to the dam
ger that the supplies would not be
forthcoming. A fire occurred at the
Morgan plant. 1t is possible and per-
haps probable hal it was acct
dental.
1T Is not, however. probable that a
veritable catastrophe would have re-
suited from the fire had precautions
been taken in the location and con-
struction of the buildings and maya
zines and had some care been exer-
cised not to ship into the plant explo-
sives greatly in excess of it's capacity
and loaded shells greatly in excess of
the facilities for transportation. A
catastrophe did result, and were 1t not
for teh fact that our enemies aban-
doned the fight, our soldiers in the
field would have suffered even more,
perhaps tina nwas suffered by the
residents in the immediate vicinity of
the plant. In h haste for speed, the
need of great care seems to have been
lost sight of. While a disregard Of
proper precautions may have resulted
in a larger supply for the moment,
such disregard led, because of the de-
struction of the plant, to an entire
stoppage Of the supply. The haste
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28

ut sounds funny" said the face
tious fellGr. "but most deep thinkers
have lofty thoughts"
Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-28
Get Rid Of That
Persistent Cough

Stop that weakening. persistent cough
or cold, threatening throat or lung
affections, with Eckman's Alternative.
the tonic and upbuilder Of 20 years
successful use. soc and $50 bottles
from druggists, or from
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. phuadelphif
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
MILLION AND HALF
FROM WEST VA.

PITTSBURG, Jan, More than
seven million dollars to help rebuild
war ravaged Europe and Christian
ne the world is expected to be raised
BY the Methodist Episcopal churches
Of Western Pennsylvania and West
Virginia.
Preliminary to the great Pittsburg
Area Centenary Conference, which
brings 1000 clergymen and laymen
Of this territory to Pittsburg next
Tuesday and Wednesday, the Pitts
burg Area quota of the $105, 100000
world fund which Methodism plans
10 raise in the next six months thru
It's Centenary Of Missions campaign
was announced here today by Rev.
DR.. Appleton Bash, executive secre-
tary Of the area.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06

CHARLESTON, w. Va. Feb d.
The West Virginia legislature has
before it bill to regulate the ser
vice of natural gas companies in
the state which is calculated to IN
sure gas for domestic consumers of
this state before it is shipped out
for industrial purposes. Some peo7
ple go so far as to say that the
passage Of the bill would mean that
the big factories in the Cleveland
and Pittsburg districts would move
to this side of the Ohio river as a
result. At any event the measure is
certain to prove Of great benefit to
West Virginia and it's proponents
deny that it will work an injury on
anyone.
The Standard Oil Company sub
salaries, especially the Hope Gas
Co..sis fighting the. bill and has three
or four big state lawyers employed
to show the legislature why the bill
should not be passed. 1t is argued
that it would not be "neighborly' to
pass such a measure which might
affect the factories of Ohio and
Pennsylvania There is strong press
ure being brought to bear on MEM
bers Of the senate to kill the bill and
the interests may have the strength
to defeat the measure by a single
voteAas one would be all that would
be used in all probability even though
more votes could be lined up against
the measure.
The dog law was under discussion
for an afternoon in the house and
one bill was amended time and again
in the interests of the dogs and not
| in the interests Of the sheep until
finally those delegates who really
/ wished to protect sheep voted to sub
| stitute another bill though it is fear
ed that this bill cannot become a
law for it has OPPOSITION from coun-
ties where laboring men harbor dogs
and do not want to be deprived of
the pleasure of claiming them when
the assessor is not looking and do not
want the responsibility of feeding
them, which leaves the dogs to fare
in the best way they can.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
GREAT RALLY

The address of Rev. Jas. S. McGaw
D. D. of Los Angeles, Cal, at the
M. E. Church last Thursday night
was largely attended, and the lecture
was a gem. DR.. McGaw is a real live
wire SO hot that he scorches every
thing he touches. Logical in every
respect his address touched the res
ponsive chord of all who heard his
wonderful lecture. He lambasted
Mormonism until Joe Smith would
have shed tears-but he produced
facts and not fiction. He dissected
the divorce laws Of the U. S. A. until
the naked truth Of one divorce out
of every seven marriages made
Uncle Sam blush in shame at such
neglected point of our national Life.
His eloquence put the glimmers on
the Red Light districts of this great
est nations of all and made the 3d.
600 sacrificed in war a mere baga-
tile compared to $4,000 women lured
by the flames Of prostitution yearly.
Big Business came under his unre-
lenting lash with the double indict-
ment Of slavery and Sabbath break
ing. Bolshevil1ism and the |. w. w.
were virtually cow-hided by DR.. Nc
CAV in the most vitriolic terms.
Germany with her Hyper-criticism
of Religion, Barbarism and Savagery
was fayed, beyond recognition by
burning truths plucked from the con-
ditions as they really were and are.
John Barley corn did not escape
his share of DR. McGaw's masterful
criticism. The true cause of the
great world war was lain at the
Church doors of Germany.
The lime lights Of history in the
past was thrown upon the u s..
from the fact that of the 26 world
REPUBLICS now living all had practe
cally patterned after the us.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
OBITUARIES

Robert A. McCutcheon was born in
Virginia on Jan. Ia, 1888 Died Jan
% 1919. Aged Sc years. He was the
son of James and Ellen (Benson)
McCutcheon was married in Beverly
in 1861 to Margaret, daughter of
Geo. and Elizabeth HART Buckley.
Children of this union, Almonta B.
Serpell, Geo. p McCutcheon, Gold
en- Frank McCutcheon, Howard K.
McCutcheon and Robert f. Nc
Cutcheon all of whom survive him
except George who passed to the
great beyond a few years ago. He
was a member of the Methodist
church and an Odd fellow. Uncle
Mack was we'll known to almost
every man, woman and child in this
section being pioneer of this city.
He was educated in the schools of
Staunton, Massey Greek Academy
and Washington College. Was the
first county Supt of Schols for Bar
bour County after the Civil War
from 1868 to 1872 and aided greatly
in putting the schools Of this county
on a solid footing. lie served as
Postmaster from 1897 to 1904. For
many years he was proprietor of the
Mountain View Hotel but with the
shifting of the business center of
the city and the coming of the rail-
road business left the hill section
and he retired to o quiet life
though his hostelry was known far
and wide to the early statesmen who
Grove through Barbour County in the
early days. The hotel still stands
q landmark Of the early beginning
of the town "Uncle Mack had
been in failing health for number
Of years gradually bowling beneath
his weight Of years. Until his sill
vered locks sought the peace of e.
ternal sleep and rest.
He was an excellent citizen and
lived his life above reproach uni
versally respected and loved by all
who knew him.
Our sympathy goes out to his
aged wife, the children and relatives
in their sorrow.
Funeral services conducted BY
Rev. "Bud" Smith interment at
Elliott Cemetery.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
10000 MEN OUT ON STRIKE
IN ENGLAND

LONDON, Jan 27-Strike terror is
commencing to gain vise-like grip
on Great Britain's industries, and
certain British Industrial authorities
to-day see its hand soon stretched
across the Atlantic to stay the wheels
Of American commerce.
With the battle cry, "No rent and
no income taxes till our demands are
metz 100000 worgers are out to-
night, and before another forty
eight hours it is feared the number
may be doubled.
The cruix of the trouble lies in the
demands for reduction of the A.
hour week to of 40 or IA hours.
As suggested by one authority to
Universal Service tonight, values
have changed, both of labor and of
goods, and there is no definite means
Of ascertaining what they will be
during the transition from war to
peace.
During this period labor troubles
Of huge proportions are feared They
are looked for to spread not only
aver Europe, but to America as wen
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
BARKER TEACHERS INSTITUTE
JUNIOR w. VA. FEB. Is, 1919,
AT 12.2n 2 NJ

l. Song ~ Back to the Country.
2. The Essentials of child's First
Year in School. Mrs. Lula Valentine.
8. Self Government Of Schools and
How it May be Accomplished ....
w. A. Streets.
A The war Saving Society and its
Effect upon Our Future Citizens.
A. G. Jones.
5. The Educational Value Of Pub
lie Program j. Miss Mabel Hedges.
6. The Elements Of Teachers
Personality .,...... L. o. Baker,
Z. Song. Sunset Peace
8. Review-The Worlds War and
What Was Behind 1t
Chapters II, -, 10 Miss Ana Baker
Chapters IA, Is, is, Miss Cora Wilson
Chapters II, IS, 10 Miss Sylvia Row
You are especially invited to at
tend.
L. o. BAKER Pres.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
THE WEST VA. LEGISLATURE.

Voters of West Va watch the rec
ords of the proceedings of that aug
ust body of lawmakers. 1t is your
right to know how your servants
vote. The Big interests are lobby
ing against your interests keep tab
on those who represent you. The
interests of these gigantic corpora
tions arc not always your interests.
You have seen the 2ct r. r. fare
law erased from our statutes. You
have seen gas rates increased and
water rates raised. How long will
you voters of w. Va permit your in
alienable rights to be sacrificed?
The ballot if properly handled will
remedy the evils which are being
heaped upon you. Watch the record
of your servants and call them to
account for their actions.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
RESTRICTIONS REMOVED
ON FOODSTUFFS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The
most sweeping removal Of restrict
ions upon expectation Of food stuffs
made since the signing of the armis-
tice was announced today. Commo-
ditles removed from the expectation
conservation list were barley, corn
and rye, including flour and meal
made from these grains, oats and
oat products, brewers grains, bran
and middlings, beans, dried and split
peas, sugar and cotton seed oil.
These articles constituted a major
ity of the food items on the res
tricted list and their removal is cf-
fective Immediately. Licenses to ex-
port them will be granted freely to
all destinations including Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and Belgium.
Heretofore such exports to these al
lied countries were made Exclusively
by the food administration grain cor
poration
Attention was called to the fact
that wheat and wheat -four remain
on the restricted list. There was no
indication when the embargo on these
would be removed but it is said it
probably would remain in force until
the government agreement with the
farmers for a maximum price on the
1919 wheat crop had expired.
Removal of embargoes on other
grains was expected to stabalize pri-
ces and relieve what was described
as congested market. An advance
IN the price of corn was looked for
by reason Of the fact that prices fell
sharply several weeks ago when re-
moval Of the embargo against inn
port of Argentine corn was announ-
ced
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
GERMANY TO PAY ONLY FOR
WANTON RUIN.

LONDON, Feb. THE Peace Con-
ference is reported to have eliminated
any intention Of calling upon Ger
many and her associates to pay the
Allied countries the cost Of the war
or TO impose heavy indeminities up
on the Central Empires, according
to the Paris correspondent Of the
Evening Standard
The Standards Paris oorrespon-
dent says he has reasons for report
ing that the Peace Conference has
settled, as above indicated, one i'm
portant point with regard to the in
demnity question.
"But the minds Of the conference, !"
the Standards correspondent adds,
"are fixed that there shall be full
reparation for unjustifable damage
done. A very sharp distinction il
drawn between damage which re-
suited from legitimate warfare and
damage which was wanton."
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
GRANT GRAHAM PAINFULLY
HURT

Grant Graham the druggist went
to the basement Of his drug store to
revive the fire, Saturday A. M. in
breaking a board across his knee, a
wire nail penetrated his limb near
the knee, causing very painful
wound. He paid but little heed to
it, but in a short time a serious
swelling and pain developed, so that
a physician had to be called and Mr..
Graham had to be removed to his
home and what seemed but scratch
threatens to be serious. He is still
confined to his home, but it is hoped
nothing serious may develop to our
friend.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
BERTRAM

Mrs. Elizabeth Bertram wife of
VIM. Bertram of Gage, was born
May z, 1885 died Jan. %, 1919-aged
"a yrs. 5 mo q days. The diseased
was native Of Ohio and was the
daughter of Otto Grimm. She leaves
husband to mourn for her-a wife
is gone-a mothers care and love is
ended-the sad tragedy of broken
home is written. May the grief of
this home be softened by the bound
less love of God who watcheth
over the orphans with an ever
watchful eye. Funeral services con-
Quoted by Rev. Wamsley at the K.
of P. Cemetery Junior.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
NO VACANT PULPITS FOR
METHODfsTS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Not one va
cant pulpit throughout the length
and breadth pf the M. F. Church,
South conferences, from Sunday, Jan
uarg rs until Sunday, May ii, is
the appeal made by Elmer T. Clark,
head of the Speakers Bureau to the
Minute Men who have been enrolled
in the great Centenary movement of
the Church. In discussing the
movement for mo vacant churches
in Methodsm" with newspaper
representative several days ago Mr..
Clark declared that the question was
vital, particularly at this time when
the denomination was lining up its
entire forces in great drive for
renewed spirituality and financial
campaign for $35, 100000, which
would enable it, as a church, to do
its part in the reconstruction work
Of the world
Each Sunday hundreds and thou
sands of our churches stand absolu-
tely vacant and idle SO far as regu-
lar preaching is concerned" Mr.
Clark said, adding, land at the same
time there are in adjoining town, in
other churches on the same circuit
local preachers, lay leaders and cap
able persons who are as idle as the
vacant church Here is an incosis-
tency which would shame us-a ire
mendous waste of energy and oppor-
tunity. If idle churches and idle
speakers can be brought together it
will mean blessing to BOTH And
one aim of the Centenary Speakers
Bureau is to bring them together, SO
that during the Centenary Campaign,
at least, no church in Methodism,
however small or remote, shall be
without regular service on Sun
day"
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-02-06
TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST VA:

The Young Mems Christian Asso-
cation and kindred organizations
have officially set apart the week of
February 18th to 18th, 1919, as Ma
tional Father and Son Week to be
observed as such throughout the Ma
ton. Programs have been prepared
and will be used by churches, boys
organizations, mems clubs and other
agencies interested in bringing the
attention of fathers to new and
larger responsibility 70 their boys,
in order that father and son may rea-
lize more fully than ever before
their joint relationship to the home,
church, school, community, State and
Nation.
In accordance with the request of
the agencies aforesaid, do hereby
designate the week of February 18th
18th, 1919, as FATHER AND
SON WEEK" in West Virginia, and
express the hope that all agencies,
associations and societies interested
in the work of obtaining and securing
its proper observance will receive
the patriotic assistance and support
Of all our citizens.
No more important question can
engage our attention than that of
conserving and properly directing the
5oy-life of our State ad the strength
ening Of the ties that bind the boys
TO their homes, to their State and to
their Nation.
m May we hope that there will be
full cooperation on the part of all
eur citizens.
JNO. j. CoRNWELL,
Governor.