Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1920-09-24
NOT SATISFIED
ON EXPLOSIVES
FreehoIders Hold That Condi-
tions at Morgan Are Not of
the Best-Cite Instances

NEW BRUNSWICK, Sept. "a. =
That the board of freeholders IRE far
| from being satisfied with conditions
prevailing at the two government
plants of this vicinity was indicated
by report represented by director
of the board, William s. Dey, at the
meeting yesterday. Mr.. Dey together
with County Solicitor Frederick +.
Richardson visited the Morgan gen.
eral ordnance depot last Monday and
the result of the investigation was
made known, as being far from satis-
| factory.
While the investigation brought
forth the fact that the materials are
being moved from that place, the fire
| prevention facilities and the patrol
ling of the magazine and storage
area are considered to be entirely
inadequate for the proper protection
of the explosive materials remaining
in storage.
AS pointed out by the director,
only two mounted men guard the
place during the daytime and the
patrol is only increased to eight
men at night, while the water bar
rels which are provided for combat
ing a fire in an carly stage are fall
ing apart, not having been properly
kept filled with water.
I'VE have experienced one big
time down there and don't want
another; the place is very easily
entered and any one could go in
there day or night and blow it UP
the way 1t is guarded" declared Mr..
pey. and I think wo- should take
the matter up at Washington.
Fully twice the number of
guards should be on duty at all
times and connections to the water
mains should be placed in each
building said he.
The Raritan Arsenal was not Wis
tied but the opinion of the board
members was 10 the effect that an
other investigation should be made.
Mr.. Dey. who has been one OF the
foremost in advocating the removal
of the dangerous explosives from
Middlesex county. pointed out the
possibilities of future dangers and
explained the responsibility OF the
county board in following the thing
to the end, he predicting that
should another catastrophy occur
the freeholders would certainly be
indicted If they had not used all the
means in their power to have the
menace removed"
To properly get the attention of
the government in the matter. a
motion made by Freeholder Louis
]. Belloff was carried directing the
solicitor to present the matter to
the war department in a final effort
to get speedy action If possible in
having additional guards employed
and adequate water connections
made in all buildings where explo-
sives are now stored.
he fo1
showing amounts of explosives stor-
ed at both plants were read, show
ing a decrease of amounts at both
places.
At the Morgan plant the entire
lot 70 INT amounting to 234,700
pounds was shipped away last week,
47,127 pounds of smokeless powder
was also disposed of, leaving a bal
ance of 4.607,207 pounds. A large
quantity of loaded shells also re-
main, there being 1,752,739 of the
low explosive and ~474,21S of the
high explosive shells. Approximately
10000 pounds of smokeless powder,
which is held in temporary storage
Is expected to be shipped in the
near future or just as soon as the
ceived.
The conditions at Raritan show
only slight change for the week
ending September 49,. 1000 pounds
o. black powder and twenty-five
pounds of smokeless powder having
been disposed of, leaving 9S,45O and
1S,210,696 pounds, respectively. of
each substance. Other materials in
storage are as follows: Pyro cotton.
9,576.096 pounds; sodium nitrate.
10.050.931 pounds: low explosive
shells. $5.422,23S and high explosive
shells. 2,11O.167.