Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-09-16
COUNTY TOLD
Of EXPLOSIVES
Edge Sends MarCh'S Letter.
FreIinghuysen Writes

The following letter sent to the
Board of Freeholders by United
States Senator Frelinghuysen, con-
tains recommendations for the re-
moval of explosives as follows:
washington, D. c.
September Is, 1913.
"Board of Freeholders,
"Middlesex County,
New Brunswick, N. j.
"Gentlemen:
Permit me to invite your atten-
ton to the existing situation at Rar-
itan Arsenal, as presented In recent
conclusions of the Val Department,
set forth in official communications
therefrom.
"Following the late visit to the Ar
senal, and conference with your Hon
orable Body, of Colonel Harris and
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart. OF the
War Department, the former made,
August 20, 1919, a report to the CHIEF
of Ordnance, the substance OF whI1h
was embraced in these recommends
"(1) That Field Service remove
ammonium nitrate, black powder and
pyro cotton as early as practicable.
"(2) That the loaded snelt larger
than Ism be moved from Raritan TO
@ more Isolated point as early as prac-
ticable. In this connection, | sug-
gest that some one establishment be
selected for the storage OF these large
ca1ibre loaded shells.
rp(3) ThAt all bouchon assemblies
and other decorators be stored sepa-
rately from any high explosives or
propellant, or loaded ammunition,
except where the fuse Is packed with
the assembled rounds.
"(4) That the necessary engineer
ing exhibited collections of herman
ammunition be prepored and that Inc
Remainder of the German ammunltlon
be promptly removed from Raritan
Arsenal and be disposed of in either
the following two ways:
"(a) BY storage at an Isolated
point on the Aberdeen proving ground
Reservation, or
t"(b) Dumping In the a
"Colonel Harris has favored me
with a copy of his report to the chief
OF ordnance, his conclusions being as
enumerated above. In transmitting
the same, Colonel Harris advises me
as follows:
Z" General Williams has approved
all. portions of the report, except
accommodation CD. That the loaded
shell larger than Ism be moved " "
He has approved this in principle, but
1t is not possible to move this at the
present time. They will, however, be
eventually moved in carrying out the
present project
sTJnder the circumstances I do not
see that there is anything further to
be done at the present time. Ihe
whole project is one for executive ac-
ton. 1t is my province as a Legislator
&c urge a certain course upon the part
Of the War Department, but. unfort-
unately. l am not vested with admin
f~strative powers, to see that drastic
action is taken. Certain 1t Is, for the
past ten months, l have been inststent
that extraordinary efforts should be |
made by the government to protect
the lives and property of the citizens
of New Jersey contiguous to this and
other plants and l shall continue to
pursue this course, SO long as any APP
preciable 1emen of danger remains.
.However, it is my impression that
the War Department Is fully alive to
the situation, and that 1t recognizes
the necessity for such course or pro-
ceedings as will eliminate all pre-
yentable danger. / think, moreover,
your Honorable Board reached the
same conclusion as a result of your
conference with Colonel Harris ana
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart. The mil
itary authorities have q very difficult
problem to handle. but too great haste
MAY p~recipitate some such catastro-
phe as we are particularly anxious to
avoid.
II shall continue to keep in close
touch with the office of the chief OF
ordnance regarding this matter, with
a view to a constant Improvement
OF the situation at Raritan. Mean
while / shall be glad to be advised by
you at any time, should you conclude
that proper speed is not being en-
ployed in getting rid of those arti-
Giles at the arsenal which are the prl-
mary causes of danger.
'"In conclusion let me say that II II
isiate desire of the Board of Free
holders that this arsenal be removed
from Middlesex county, and the gov
ernmen industry located elsewhere,
they should so declare. In such
event. I will present that phase of tho
question to the War Department.
While it seems to me the military au-
thorities are employing every possible
agency to minimize the danger re-
sulting from the ~ontinuan or the
plant at its present location l am not
willing to assert that all elements OF
risk are absolutely removed, nor must
I be held responsible for any future
eventualities.
yours very truly.
- III. S. s."
What Gen. March Says
That only ammunition and smoke
less powder will be left In this part
of the state in the near future fol-
owing theex removal of explosives
from Morgan, Sandy Hook and the
Rarttan Arsenal is the statement OF
Peyton G. March, General Chief OF
Staff. in a letter to Senator Walter b..
Edge and forwarded to the Board OF
Aldermen by the senator last night.
The report is made by the general as
the outcome of the demand express
ed in resolutions of the Board OF
Aldermen that the War Department
take steps to eliminate the n
Of high explosives in the thickly pop
ulated community.
According to the report of General
March the picric acid which has
been stored at Sandy Hoo was final
j. disposed of yesterday. Pyro-cot-
ton and black powder stored at Rar-
itan Arsenal will also be sold, the
chief stated.
General March's letter in part fol-
lows:
ssHon. Walter f. Edge.
United States Senator.
"My dear Senator:
t"I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt Of your letter dated August
IL. 1919, enclosing resolutions passed
by. the Board of Aldermen of Perth
Amboy, N. J., protesting against the
storage of ammunition at Raritan
Arsenal and at the Igehigh Valley
railroad docks of that city.
THE War Department has been
and is now making every effort to
rau,ova .a1l high explosives from