The Washington times., 1923-01-03
HUNDREDS
GASSED
BY Gun
One Shot knocks Out" D. C.
Building Employees and
Shows Effectiveness

An experiment with q tear gas
gun in the District building today
nearly knocked out" several
hundred local government en-
ployes, including District Com
missioners James F. Oyster and
Cuno H. Rudolph.
Inspector Henry G Pratt, as
sistant superintendent Of police,
was showing the gun to Major
Daniel Sullivan, superintendent
Of police, in Che latter's office.
Sullivan Blinded.
"I'N let Just a little out" he toit.
the major, as he opened the nozzle
Gas shot out so quickly that he was
nearly overcome. He quickly closeN.
the nozzle.
Major Sullivan, standing nearby,
reached his hands to his eyes, tenn
porarily blinded. Edwin Hesse, chief
clerk, had the same experience. The
gas quickly filled the room.
The gas then swept from Major
SuIlivan's office throughout the
building. Elevator operators got the
! first Whit of it, and for few min
utes the up and down service
stopped. Then the gas went into
the offices. Windows were quickly
thrown open, but it did little good.
Made Commissioners Weep.
Within a few minutes practically
every person in the District build
ing, including visitors, were crying.
Some Of those who got a larger dose
than others were temporarily with
out their sight, leaning against walls
for support. Up in the Commission
ers' office, the gas was not SO
strong, but strong enough, however,
to force Commissioners Oyster and
Rudolph to bring out their handker-
chiefs.
The gun, Invented by Capt. L. M.
Mac Bride, of this city, stationed in
chemical warfare service OF the
army, is one of a number which
the police department is purchasing.
The gun Is an improvement over
the gas bomb which was demon
strated to the department several
months ago.
Major Sullivan said today that
from now on the guns will be a
part Of the equipment of the Po-
lice Department. He feels that
many policemen who heretofore
have ventured into houses after
criminals and have been shot
down.
Keep One I'm Jail.
It was also learned today that
gun has been purchased for the
District Jail. The gun will always
be kept in a place where it can
be reached quickly and used in
case of outbreaks or disturbances
Inspector Pratt said today that
the gun may be set off and stopp, 4
at Will. The gun is composed of
two cylinders. one of gas, the
other of compressed air. It takes
but a quarter OF a minute to
empty its contents. The inventor
declares that when the contents
are emptled the air within the
immediate vicinity is unbearable.
rendering a person helpless. It is
said the full explosion Of the gun
will cover an area of 100 600 c,7hic
feet or fill a room 100 feet long.
100 feet wide and ten feet high.
For Use in Riots.
The use of the gas in riots is very
effective, Major Sullivan believes T.
can be shot" distance of thirty
feet. If there is wind blowing to.
ward the operator of the gun the
gas will go thirty feet and then blow
bac kon the operator To prevent
the operator from being overcome a
gas mask is provided
1t is understood that every patrol
and police station will be euuipped
with one or two guns. The guns
cost about $50 and can be refilled re-
peatedly. The gas only temporarily
blinds a person and does no perma-
nent harm. The effects of it are felt
for about fifteen minutes.