Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-03-10

uCSo IlOW DOlIlS oPPoi Sio'
The resolutions further request
that the circumstances surrounding
the death of Frank Holton at the
Morgan plant, who was killed last
Tuesday while at work salvagins
shells, be closely Investigated.
The apparent hazardous manner IN
which shells are said to be handed
should be so regulated, in the Judg
ment of the freeholders, that the at
tendant danger would be mlnlmized
to the fullest extent. Persons guilty
of cul-r5le negligence in the hand
ling oil shells should be apprehended
and brought to justice, according 10
the suggestions made.
Piece work with the rushing in
cident thereto, is thought to be the
real cause of the danger, as explain
ed by Director William S. Dey, who
presented the resolution asking for
an investigation at the Morgan plant.
"The practice of permitting the
contractors to rush their employees
in order for the workmen to earn
a days pay should be stopped de-
clared the director, "and l think the
only way to handle the situation Is
10 lay the matter before the prosecu-
tor of the county and the grand jury
30 that the responsibility of careless
handling of the dangerous materials
may be immediately stopped.
Freeholder J. Fred Orpen also SUD-
mitted a resolution requesting tnat
he conditions at Raritan arsenal also
be Investigated in the same manner
and that similar precautions be tax
en- to prevent serious accldeh'
among the workmen at that plant.
il ,-sx, rnIf o.
rard TO the latter action, on the
ground that no salvaging was being
done at Raritan, but the director IN
dorsed Mr.. Orpen's suggestion by
saving: Il think it is about time
we lock the door before the horse
is stolen" which served the purpose
of convincing the entire mem bershlp
of the board that the resolution
should also be adopted.
Both resolutions which Were
unanimously adopted will be placed
before the grand jury and the prose
cutor today, and 1t is considered
likely that witnesses will also be ex-
amined in connection with the accl-
dent that occurred early in the week.
in the monthly report for Febru-
ary submitted to the freeholders py
Major George f. Lemon of the MOT
gan Ordnance Depot no mention - -
made of shrapnel shells, though IL
was a shell of that type which caus-
ed the last fatality at that plant.
On the first of February there was
in storage 4,39S,43S pounds or plack
powder though during the montn
455,519 pounds of that material were
shipped away.
4 shipment of S5,644 low explosive
lnn inc l
while the quantity of high explosive
shells remained unchanged theie
being 475,052 on hand.
Director Dey's resolution request
ing that some action be taken ps
the legal authorities of the county Is
as follows:
"WAereas, This board has prev
iously called public attention to the
fact that the contractor engaged III
handling explosives at Morgan Arse
nal in this county was apparently
handling same in a hazardous man
rer. and called attention to the fac'
that serious injury or loss of lift
might result therefrom, and
"Whereas. Pending the investlga,
tion of this condition, an acclden'
has happened at Morgan Arsenal IN
! which one of the employees. to wit
Frank Holton, was kliieu, uue' IL Is
alleged. to the reckless manner II
which the employees were compelleo
70 handle the explosives in order te
facilitate the work, now, therefore
he il. and it is hereby
"Resolved. That this board peu,
lion the prosecutor and the grano
INV of this county to carefully IN
vestigate the circumstances sur
pounding the death of the SAID franh
Holton, hereinbefore referred 10, ano
inouire fully into the c1rcumstahce.
and the manner of the handling o.
explosives at Morgan Arsenal. to the
end that the danger attendant there-
nm may be minimized to the fulies,
extent, and that the people engaeeu
therein shall be compelled to exer'
else every possible precautlon IN do'
ing this work in safe ana propel
manner so that the interests OF tne
county will be properly safeSuardeo
md to the further end that any per
son or persons guilty of cuipaplt
negligence in the handling OF THESE
explosives may be apprehended ane
brought to justice.
"WILLIAM S. DEf.
Freeholder Orpen's resolution fol
lows.