Evening star., 1933-08-21

Two accidents involving = collisions
with trucks carrying explosives. one TO-
day at Wilmington. Del. resulting in
four deaths and injury to score OF
picnickers, probably will have the effect
OF speeding up the preparation Of a
code now being considered by the In
terstate Commerce Commission. Bureau
OF Mines. and shipping concerns deal
ing with the shipment of explosives by
motor trucks.
The framing Of regulations govern
ing the hazardous practice OF shipping
explosives on the Nations highways
has been under consideration for some
time. with the expectation that draft
ing of a general code would be under
taken soon and the matter taken up
for hearings this FAN, it was stated
today at the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
Officials OF the commission expressed
keen interest in the reports of the Will
uington accident and in a fatal high
way collision yesterday near Winchester
Va, which resulted In the dumping OF
a truck cargo Of dynamite on the road
though no explosion resulted.
If this type Of accident becomes any
more prevalent it undoubtedly will have
the effect Of speeding up consideration
Of the code now in preparation 1t was
stated by William P Bartel, director
Of the Bureau of Service of the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
1t was explained, however. that the
Interstate Commerce Commission code
can deal only with the transportation
of explosives by trucks which are being
operated as common carriers Control
Of explosive transportation by private
trucking concerns or individuals. it was
stated, is matter for local police regu-
lation. In this connection the Bureau
of Mines of the Department of the In
terror is seeking by negotiation with
trucking companies and manufacturer
and shippers Of explosives to bring about
closer supervision over such shipments
Seek Model Code.
In the preparation Of its code gov
erning shipments by truck. which may
serve as model for local police regula-
ton, the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion IS working in cooperation with the
Bureau Of Explosives of the American
Railway Association and with expert.
on the marine shipment Of explosives
Problems in transportation Of explosive.
by all types of carriers are similar il
was explained. and the experience o
railroad and marine agencies is ex.
pected to be applicable to shipments by
motor vehicle
Hearings on a new code governing
shipment OF explosives by water have
been scheduled for next month, with
the truck code to follow it was stated.
Today's accidents recalled to Govern.
ment officials several other highway &C.
cidents of similar character In one
nf IN oil
granular powder and electric detoda'
tors was demolished and the drivel
blown to bits by an explosion, the caus,
OF which was unknown.
In another case a driver experienced
In handling explosives was driving 6
truckload of blasting powder and other
explosives which were DESTROYED by fire
and explosion. the driver being killed
and his body burned.
Another accident was recalled ir
which the driving chain of a truck
broke while it was climbing a hill
hauling trailer full of explosives. The
trailer was dumped and the trailer anc
truck ran through the load of explosives
fortunately there was no explosion.
In a recent warning to all 1hoss
handling automobile shipments OF ex.
plosives the Bureau of Mines callec
attention to the fact that new hazard.
are being introduced into the transpor.
tation OF explosives through the use o.
motor operated vehicles" and cautioned
all concerned that additional specia
precautions must be taken against thest
additional hazards
Advises Use OF Rails.
In transporting explosives" tn
Bureau OF Mines advises, railroads
| should be used whenever possible
especially when the haul Is for an