Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-05-07
GREAT CAUTION
At ARSENAL IS
REPORT MADE
FreehoIders and Experts of
State Labor Dept. Pleased
with Conditions There
ALL Is SATISFACTORY
Government Officials Doing
Everything Possible to
Make Arsenal Safe

NEW BRUNSWICK, May THE
Board of Freeholders. accompanied
by experts of the state department
of labor continued their investiga-
ton into the storage of explosives
in this county yesterday by making
an inspection of the Raritan Arse
nal at Germantown. Major Casad,
commanding officer of the arsenal
and Captain Aman in charge of the
magazines received the freeholder
delegation which included County
Solicitor Frederick F. Richardson,
Orpen and Vanden-
burgh. The result of the inspection.
as expressed. by Solicitor Richard
son is pleasing to the board in view
of the fact that IL was found that
the government officials at the plant
are taking every. possible precau-
ton in handling the various expio-
sive materials about the arsenal.
The inspection revealed that there
are 1872 magazines holding powder of
every calibre. Some of the maga-
zines are filled with black powder,
some hold smokeless powder. some
high explosives while others are
filed with low explosive materials.
The inspectors were impressed par
ticularly with the construction of
the magazines. They found that the
storage places housing the powder
are built of hollow tile. covered with
a substantial roof, while magazines
in other places are usually con-
structed of corrugated iron and as
bestos.
The inspecting party was told that
all operations have practically
ceased at the arsenal. that no ma
terial is being diffused at the pres
ent time. The only operation now
on. it was found is the recondition-
ing of about a million and a half
pounds of pyro cotton by the DUPONT
concern and which material will be
removed from the arsenal by the end
of this month. The inspecting ex-
perts found too that the pyro cotton
is approximately so per cent. mois-
tured, thus CHASING it as non-explo-
sive material. The Columbia SAL
wage Company, it was found. has
also completed its work at the ar
senal.
There is no twinge of conscience
in declaring that the conditions at
the arsenal are perfect in every way
as far as preeaution is concerned
said Solicitor Richardson. The pow
der is placed in separate containers
thus minimizing the danger to its
lowest point, was the opinion de-
rived.
A question arose during the in
spection whether the magazines are
separated far enough. At present
the magazines are erected about 200
feet apart, but it is believed that a
much larger distance is required in
the state regulations. The magazines
however are well equipped with
lightning rod systems. fire extin-
guishers. ready water. which the in
spector believed helps to minimize
the danger.
Twenty-Five of the buildings on the
arsenal grounds were found to be
damaged from the recent explosion.
One of them totally demolished,
while on the others the roofs were
saved. These buildings contained low
explosive materials at the time of
the explosion, but it was under
stood that none of the material in
the building exploded.
The inspecting party was satisfied
that trained and efficient men have
charge of the arsenal. Periodic tests
of the powder of unstab BILE nature is
made to determine whether the pow
der deteriorates or not.
Approximately twenty-five men are
the magazine area,
which is fenced by wires hard to
penetrate. Two guards are on hand,
one at the waterfront dock and the
other at the land entrance. The
area of the arsenal is about four
square miles.
The freeholder delegation was told
that the arsenal authorities are ham
dicapped greatly because of lack of
funds and are doing the utmost un-
der the circumstances. While the
We're generally satisfied
with the storage of the powder, they
told the arsenal heads that there is
too much explosive mate
rial on hand and this should be ma
terially reduced. The recent appro-
priation of 100000 by the congress
for the removal of the powder is eX-
Of those in charge of the transfer
within a month at which time the
removal will start. The high explo-
sive material it is said, viii be first
on hand for transfer.
Questioned by Solicitor Richardson
as to the amount of powder on hand,
Major Casad said that the report of
March 10 gives the total of powder
about the arsenal and that there
was no change since
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