Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-04-05
EXPLAINS PLANS
ON EXPLOSIVES
AppIeby Gets Data Concern
ing Morgan and Raritan
From War Dept.

April 5.-ln a
recent communication to the secre-
tary of war, Congressman t. Frank
Appleby expressed his qualification
at the passage of the urgent defici-
ency appropriation bill providing
funds for the evacuation OF the
Morgan General Arsenal Depot, and
assured the secretary that the aban-
donment of this depot, which has
been a constant menace to life and
property, would meet with the hear
ty approval of the people of that
section. At the same time MIR. Apple
by took occasion to make inquiry
relative to the plans of the War
Department in regard to Camp Rari-
tan at which a large quantity Of am
munition is stored. He advised the
secretary that many complaints had
been made in regard to the careless
manner in which the ordinance
stores r handled when shipped
from this camp. ever to instances
where loaded shells had been lost
along the roadway from the trucks
conveying these stores. He asked
to be advised as to whether Camp
Raritan was to be abandoned, or re-
tanned as a permanent camp.
In response to this inquiry the
congressman has just received the
following communication from j. NJ.
Wainwright. assistant secretary of
war:
my Dear MI. Appleby:
Receipt is acknowledged of your
letter dated March %, 1922, in which
you request information as to the
plans of the War Department in re-
gard to Raritan Arsenal and in
which you STATE that there have
been a number of complaints in re-
gard to the careless manner in which
the Ordnance stores are handled
when shipped from this point, in
stances having been reported where
loaded shells have been lost along
the roadway from trucks conveying
these stores.
"A policy for the permanent stor-
age of reserve ammunition was ap-
proved by the War Department in
September, 1919, and part of the
funds required for the construction
of additional storage facilities nee
essary for carrying this policy into
effect were appropriated by lCon-
gress. This approved policy contem-
plates that Raritan Arsenal will be
used permanently for h storage or
a relatively small part of the total
reserve of ammunition, as well as
for the storage of considerable guam
titles of ordnance material other
than ammunition, such as rifles. pis-
tolls, vehicles, etc. 1t is also used
for the issue of supplies to, and the
maintenance of material in the hands
OF troops in the First, Second and
Third Corps areas.
due to the salvaging of certain
items the amount of loaded ammu-
milton now on hand at Raritan Arse
nal has been considerably due
within the past year.. although 1t is
still materially greater than is con-
templated under the approved pol
icy. The shipment of the excess 10
the new storage facilities which
have been constructed at Savanna
Proving Ground. Illinois. and o.
den Arsenal, Utah. has not been pos
tsible due to the shortage of funds
| for transportation. In view of the
| present economic conditions in the
country, it is the intention of the
Ordnance Department to submit es-
| timates for funds for the gradual re-
moval of ammunition to Ogden ana
Savannah within a five year period.
However as far as the danger ele-
ment is concerned, the amount OF
ammunition which has been or is be-
ing salvaged is sufficient to no
any danger to the surrounding com
munities, the shipments to ogden
| and Savanna being intended only 10
provide a better strategic distrlou-
ton of our reserve stocks ana 10
| facilitate issue to troops.
referring to the complaints IN
| regard to the careless manner IN
which Ordnance stores I handled,
= ---.A~- s. hninO InURGf1R4IeO,
| since h policy of the Ordnance
| Department has always been to re-
| ouire scrupulous care in the obserp-
| ance of all safety regulations in the
handling and shipment of ammunl-
tion at all of its arsenals and de-
nots. The instances referred TO, /. e.,
where loaded shells have been lost
| aIong the roadway from the trucks
conveying these stores. have never
been reported to the War Depart
ment. AS stated, an investigation is
being made, and you may be sure
that should these reports be found
true appropriate action will be taken
TO eliminate such carelessness in n
future. However. it is no more thah
fair to state hat a number OF com
plaints of conditions at Rarltan nave
from time to time been received IN
the past, ana tndI III every NoSS -
investigation showed that the re,
ports were grossly exaggerated n
that on the whole conditions at Rarl-
Tan Arsenal were satisfactory.
'In conclusion it may be stateo
that prior to the adoption of the
present storage policy, the proposal
70 make Raritan Arsenal a perma,
nent establishment was discussed
with representatives of the board oil
freeholders, Middlesex county, VINO
stated that there would be no opJee-
ton on the part of the surrounding
communities providing h amour.
OF ammunition stored at hat point
was so reduced as to eliminate dan
per TO these communities. This con,
dition has already been attained
through the salvage of
The amounts at Raritan, however
will be still further reduced
the saivaging of additional quantities
and the shipments to Ogden and Sa-
wanna. The War Department mas
carried out the promises made. ana
II is believed that the communities
in the vicinity of Raritan Arsenal
need nave no further fear of damage
TO themselves or their property
through the storage of ammunition
at that establishment.
"Siucerelv YOURS,