Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-12
RAR|TAND DEPOT
WILL CONTINUE
Will Not be Abandoned But
Amount Of Expenses Will
be Reduced
BY George VI. Manning
washington Correspondent OF the
Perth Amboy Evening News).

~ eNtNLt ~ sfstftttt&
washington Correspondent OF the
Perth Amboy Evening News).
WASHINGTON. May IL The
War Department, 1t appears. intends
to retain the Raritan arsenal perma-
nently. but will reduce the amount
of explosive materials there to the
point Of safety.
1t was reported recently that the
department intended to entirely
abandon the plant. in a speech at
Metuchen last Thursday evening,
Congressman T. Frank Appleby as
serted that it was his understanding
that the department intended TO
abandon the plant as a permanent
arsenal. This gave rise to consider
able discussion and some protest.
Now it appears the board of free
holders of Middlesex county has
been in communication with the war
department and has been advised
that it is the intention to retain the
Raritan arsenal but to reduce the
amount OF explosive materials there
to the safety point.
Congressman Appleby has ar
ranged a conference with the war
department officials for tomorrow at
which he expects to clear up the sit
uation.
Combat Propaganda
NEW BRUNSWICK, May a.
Every possible effort is being put
forth by a committee of the civil
lar employees of Raritan arsenal to
combat the alleged propaganda that
has been circulated regarding the
so-called unsafe conditions at that
place, their latest move being the re-
quest that the freeholders publicly
declare the place perfectly safe,
though in this the county authorities
refuse to commit themselves.
Resolutions were adopted, how
ever, setting forth the position of
the freeholders. they having no de-
sire to see the arsenal abandoned,
being merely interested in seeing
that the danger from explosives be
minimized to the fullest possible ex-
tent.
f. H. Hayes. the chairman of the
committee which appeared before
the freeholders yesterday, thanked
the members for the adoption of the
resolution, but endeavored TO get
them to go further with il and de-
clare the arsenal safe.
An invitation was also extended
to the county body to inspect the
government plant in company with
experts on the handling and care of
explosives so that they might re-
ceive impartial and authentic infor-
nation as to the small degree of
danger nov existing there. as the
n n ~ m tffnn aUDGAaaa1 AA-aAo- -
feeling that the freeholders had not
taken the right steps to insure tn nm
selves of the conditions.
This assertion was resented. the
freeholders ~contending that they
through their various inspections,
complaints and trips to Washington
had succeeded in having the
government remove the bulk of ex-
plosives in storage, thereby greatly
relieving the situation.
The following resolution, copies of
which are to be forwarded to Wash
ington, set forth the freeholders at
titude in the matter:
Whereas, 1t has been announced
n the press that Congressman Il.
Frank Appleby, at a meeting in Me-
recently. declared It to be
intention of the War Depart
ment to abandon Raritan Arsenal
n this county, because of protests
received in connection Herewith,
and that such abandonment was to
AXE effect sometime during the
coming summer, and
whereas, This arsenal employs
hundred Middlesex county
residents who will be thrown out O.
employment in case this arsenal is
ha ndnnad and fhn nrnfacfa r-hfoh
War Department has received
concerning this arsenal have not pc
itioned for the abandonment of this
arsenal, but on the contrary have
Dnly petitioned that the danger at
endant thereon be minimiZed to the
fullest extent so that every rea-
precaution be taken to pro-
.ect the lives and property of the
residents of this county would be
and
Whereas. The Board of Freehold
srs at a conference with Senator
Frelinghuysen, and in answer to a
lirect question from the senator,
that the county did not want
his arsenal abandoned, but mere.
it surrounded with every
precaution. and the &C
ivities of this board have only been
towards this end-therefore
De it and it is hereby
Resolved, That the clerk OF this
BOARD be instructed to write the War
and the two u. s. SEN
of New Jersey and the con-
from this district to the
that this county does not wish
his arsenal abandoned, but merely
hat every reasonable pre-
"a UrFfan he faLnn 20 aafa0lrard fha |
-esidents of this county in view of
he explosion which occurred at
Morgan Arsenal a few years ago, and
oe it furtneE
Resolved. That a copy Of this res
be sent TO each OF the U. s.
of New Jersey and the
congressman from this district.