New Britain herald., 1919-09-18
HARTMAN FINED $25
 IN POLICE COURT
Barrel Dealer Found Guilty of
 Violating State Statute

Nathan Hartman, charged with al lowing combustible material to ac- Cumulate on his premises at Dewey street, and ignoring orders for the re- moVal of the material served by Chief R. M. Dame of the fire departmen was found guilty of the charge by Judge James T. Meskill at the police court session this morning and a fine of S25 and costs was imposed.
 Jartman's arrest came follOWin z several investigations which were made by Chief R. Dame and former Building Inspector Arthur N. Ruther- ford. The Hartman premises for the past several months have been piled up with barrels numbering between 1000 and 1,500. Many of the barrels had at one time contained lubricating oil, WhiskeN and grease and neighbors living in blocks surrounding the Jart- man property sent numerous com- plaints to the fire chief and building inspector, asking that an Investigation be made and the barrels ordered re- moved, as they were a menacing dan ger to the lives and property in the vicinity.
 Made Investigations.
 Chief Dame of the fire departm ent. who was the first witness of the state, on being questioned stated that he had made several investigations of the property and had issued Hartman sev- eral orders for the removal of the bar rels two were written notices, he said. He asserted that on one occasion he ignited one Of the, barrels, which burned very freely and demonstrated to Hartman that the material was com bustible. The chief stated that there were as many as 1000 barrels of various kinds piled in tiers of 10 high and were as close as 20 feet to several large tenements.
 Rutherford TeStifies.
 The second witness to take the stand was former Building Inspector Arthur N Rutherford. He testified that he. had received complaints from neigh bors of Hartman, asking that an inVeS tigation be made and the barrels re- moved. He asserted that he went to the premises and found the property cOngested with barrels of various sorts. When asked how many barrels there were on the property he stated that, they numbered 1000 and probab- ly 1,50O. When questioned by the counsel for the defendant as to the exact figure, Rutherford stated that he was positive that there were 1000
 
 What created much comment in the courtroom was when MT. Rutherford was asked whether he believed that 0 or l ) barrels would create a fire haz- ard To this question he replied that this number of barrels would not crC- ate a fire hazard. He was then asked if 100, 200 or 300 barrels would be considered by him as dangerous to the neighboring tenements, he stated that this number was not dangerous to the nefghboring buildings. When ques- toned if 400 were dangerous he as- serted that 400 would be dangerous to the community. "Why do you say that 400 would be dangerous and would create a fire hazard and state that 100. 200 and 300 would not ?" questioned Attorney Chesky. MT. Ru- therford hesitatcd at this question for several nom ents and then answered II don't know, but that's where I draw my line He wa< then asked how many times he conducted investiga- tions and replied that he had visited the premises six or seven times. He did not know how many oil barrels there were.
 Hartman on Stand
 Israel hartman, who is employed by his father in taking charge of the business, was the next witness called. He stated that the barrels had accum- ulated because business Was slow at the cessation of hOStilitieS with Ger many and enough cars could not be secured to ship the barrels when or ders were received. He asserted that several of the barrels at one time con- tained lubricating oil and he was con- Vinccd they would not burn.
 Attorney Makes Plea.
 Attorney Dave Dunn and Attorney Benjamin F. Chcsky, counsel for the defense, argued that their client should be discharged as there was not enough evidence in the case for a con- Viction. Lawyer Dunn asserted that although several of the barrels were lubrica ting oil barrels, hlbricating oil would not ignite as it is used to cool autom obile engines and other machin- cry.
 Prosecutor George Klett in summing up the case asked that a fine be inn posed as the accused had on several occasions ignored Writs served by city officials and could have avoided having