Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-27
OLD EARTH "SH|MM|ES;" ?"
SCIENTISTS PUZZLED
Tremors in Eastern Pennsylvania
and New Jersey Cause Re-
ports Of Explosion.
BY Associated Press TO Every Evening.

by kNktClAfSG 4ft@5 10 BfNriy EsNsHba&~
Philadelphia. Jan. 27.--The public WAS
still mystifed early today concerning
the shock that may have been caused
by an earthquake. which was felt last
night I'm central and southern New
Jersey and in eastern Pennsylvania
While reports continued to be received
of foundations of houses loosened and
pictures knocked from walls. no loss Of
life or injury TO person had been heard
of this morning.
The shock was distinctly felt in
Philadelphia, though st appeared rot to
have been noticed at any point south OF
Walnut street. Guards declared that
the the city hali building shook and
tromors were distinctly felt in other
buildings.
The earthquake. IL such IL was, ex-
tended as far north in New Jersey as
Trenton and as far east as Mount Hoi-
iy. Foundations OF houses were daHaag-
ed In Haddon Heights y. T., and many
other New Jersey towns reported hay-
ing felt the shock.
Along the main line Of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad the occurrence caused
much excitement. particularly in Mer-
ion. where pictures were knocked from
tho walls % the Merton Community
House
The theory that the disturbance had
been caused by an explosion of great
force was abandoned in most quarters
last night after newspaper men had
searched IN every direction in vain. L
was pointed out that its effect had been
so widespread that II WAS impossible 10
attribute IL 10 an explosion.
Nevertheless. scientists at Svarth
more College maintained that il could
not have been caused by a tremov rs
their delicately adjusted instruments
could not have failed TO register such a
disturbances They insisted that an ex-
plusIon. which the seisInosTaph would
rot register. no matter how great its
force. must have been the cause
washington. Jan. 27-Earth tremors
in the Philadelphia region probably
we're due 10 settling Of the sands and
rot 10 a seismic disturbance ~ the
opinion of Father Francis \ Tondorf,
in charge of the seismic laboratory AZ
Georgetown University here The
region WAS rot in a seismic belt. Father
Tondorf said today, adding that he saw
no cause for alarm iu the reported
treu4ors similar movements had heen
felt there prey yloasly due 10 settling
tfAAH fAH 1skAAs EitA@+5st t . ANt+Ntth+*tAA
not indicating further extensive dis
turbanee.
Trenton. y j. Jan 27.---A violent
earth shock was felt early last night in
the vicinity Of Riverside and Rivergou.
where many buildings We're badly
shaken The shock lasted several
seconds and caused residents 10 fee in
terror. The power plant oe the Public
Service Corporation in Riverside was
shaken and employees badly frightened.
Osicials OF the corporation Immediately
got in touch with all the powder
plants from Tuilytown. Pa, To Carney 5
Point to learn if there had been an ex-
piosion. but none WAS reported.
Camden. " J.. Jan. 27-The whole
south Jersey section wNs shaken at
6.45 o'clock last night BY what Is he.
leved 10 have been an explosion.
Chimneys were knocked from houses
In Camden Merchautville and Moores-
town. No one was injured.
The explosion. or what was said TO
have been one. was plainly felt in Cam
den and Burlington county, The police
say that the city hall In Camden was
shaken and that they felt the trenor.
\ number of windows were broken in
houses In Camden. and similar damage
i is reported from Mount Holly, River
/ side, Burlington, Edgewater Park.
Moorestown, MerchantvilIe. Gloucester.
Riverside and Defiance.
Inquiries come by telephone and tole-
graph last night to Wilmington, and
caused the issuance Of statement by
| the du Pont Company that there had
| been no explosion at any of its plants