davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
COUNTRY SIDE SHAKEN
Official Says Damage To
Plant AT Kenvil Will
Amount To $1,O00,O0O
FIRE STARTED BLASTS
Company Unable To Elk.
plain Cause; Investigation
Will Be Launched

KENvIL, N. j., Sept. 12.-lRfA
series of explosions in buildings
where eight tons OF explosives
were being processed today vlrtu-
ally demolished the Hercules
powder company plant here, kill
ing at least 10, injuring 125 ana
ocking the countryside for miles
around.
William C. Hunt, of Wilmington,
Del, in charge of the company's
explosive department. estimated
damage to the plant amounted 70
Eat least 81, 100000"
"Officially," Hunt said, '19 r
| dead and there are some others
unaccountef for. OF those unac-
counted for there may be about
ten more dead. About 1875 were
injured"
FIRE STARTED
Nv apparently a fire started whic
was followed by a series OF OF
explosions which spread to adjoln-
ing buildings, Is or 20 OF which
we're demolished over a half-mile
square area"
He added that the fire apparent
ly started in the solvent recovery
tanks where 10000 pounds of
smokeless powder were being pro-
cessed."
There were probably rs men
working in the area where the
major explosions occurred" He
| added. He said he was unable to
estimate the number of men at
work in the building ahere. the
fire started.
1.-THE company" Hunt continued,
sis at a loss to explain the cause
of the fire and the explosions. The
buildings in which the powder was
located were separated by SUBJ
stantial brick walls and there was
a sprink<r system in all OF them.
eve thought all safeguards pos
sible to prevent such an occur
renee had been taken. We have
no suspicious of any sabotage.
MUCH POWDER LOST
Hunt said the company would
not be able to publish the names
of the dead until all had been
identified. He estimated that about
so, 900 pounds of powder were des-
troyed.
The building in which disaster
struck was built only recently to
handle National defense contracts.
The plant sprawls yer 1000 acres
about a mile off route 6. 1t was
established in 1876. No Women
were employed there.
Earlier, police chief Harry Jen-
kins quoted county physician Ray
mond Mutchler that the tentative
death toll was 20. Other estimates
ran as high as SO the number OF
persons at work in the plant at
the time of the explosions could
not be Immediately a~scertained.
The 400 acre smokeless powder
manufacturing plant was engaged
on numerous National Defense con-
tracts. The company had received
$40, 900, 900 in contracts from the
federal government in the last
three months.
] The federal bureau of investi-
cation office at Newark sent
agents to the scene and naval OF.
ficials at New York said an IN
vestigation would be launched be-
cause a naval ammunition depot
IS at Lake Denmark, seven miles
away. Picatinny army arsenal is
eight miles away.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
WEATHER EXPERTS
WATCH HURRICANE
Storm Reported North OF
San Juan, Moving North
westerly Direction

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Sept. II.
-RHWeather bureau experts on
tropical storms tonight kept a con-
slant watch on a hurricane in
the Atlantic ocean north of Puerto
Rico and far to the southeast OF
Florida.
They said the center of the storm
was about ,260 miles north of San
Juan, Puerto Rico, at l pm, East
ern Standard time, and was NOV
ing Observation-Disclosures or north
westward about IL to IA miles an
hour.
Yesterday, when the San Juan
weather bureau first reported the
sorrn, it was described as mod
erate'' but this afternoon the me
teorologists here learned it had
reached hurricane intensity with
winds blowing rs miles an hour or
more.
In an afternoon advisory tn e
weather bureau cautioned ships to
take care but the storm watchers
later added:
There is a very good chance
that it will turn northward into the
ocean. The next day or two Will
tell, but at present there is no i'm
mediate danger for the Bahama
islands or Florida. It is still a
thousand miles or more from me
South Florida mainland and ba-
rometers in the Bahamas and
South Florida are normal or only
slightly below
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
Ready
For Offensive
Into Country
Artillery Fire R umb e s
Along The Border With
Increasing Intensity
ITALY BOOSTS LINES
N,nv Believe Drive Well
Timed With Projected
N,zi Thrust On Britain

CAIRO, Egypt, Sept: 12.-R-
,.Tlery fire rumbled on the
Trrt.Libya border tonight with in
rsasipg intensity after sfresh
Italian troops moved up near the
%ripr and the British got set for
ts ong awaited fascist offensive
into Egypt.
The firing between British and
Italian advance units echoed after
5liTGi:h fiers returned from recon-
rasance flights to report the new
rrvprept of fascists forces into
Brdia from the Libyan interior.
Italy Boosts Lines
The Italians also were reported
strengthening their lines on a TRAN
alar area between Azeiz, Bardia
md Fort Capuzzo. The latter re-
GENTLY has been subjected to heavy
sheIing by British naval units
operating off the coast.
Bolstering British units, Egyp-
tan forces moved up near the
Libyan border after having been
Withdrawn two months ago.
Egypt is an ally of Britain, but
thus far has not declared war on
The axis powers. That declaration
is expected, however, once tn e
Italians slash into Egypt.
Many military observers believe
The Italian invasion - when it
mes-will be timed with Adolf
Hlter's projected troop thrust
against England.
Attack Reports l
Unofficial reports circulated in
Rome tonight that the Italians al
ready had begun the attack on
Egypt.
Officers said, however, the
Italian offensive may await the
outcome Of the battle Of Britain,
because of indications that Hitler
may attempt an invasion of Brit
am Within a week.
I'm London, authorized sources
sad there was no official con-
lIEAarm of reports that an Italian
offensive already had started.)
Italian troop and supply con-
carnations at Bardia and Fort
Vapazzo in Libya have been hit
Continued on Page Three)
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
2,000,0 900 Britons Ready
orInvasionByG Germany

Four or five neutral military OBJ
servers here also believed Germany
will make the long-awaited drive
within ten days.
All five, however, thought Britain
was strong enough to throw off any
attacking force.
Their predictions were based on
the Royal Air forces asserted and
constant superiority in the air oyer
British soil, the navy's almost un'
touched resources of men and guns,
and on the nations army.
when the invasion comes some
Germans will get through" one .neu-
Continued on Page Five: Col. II
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
DEFENSE IS STRESSED
Fisher, Hewlett And Page
Among Group Appearing
Before CAB Chairman

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12@R-In
thu name of National Defense, a
Virginia Carolina delegation plead
ed today for quick federal action
on a proposal to establish trunk
line air service between Montreal
and Nassau via Atlantic coastal
cities.
But from Harllee Branch, chair
man of the Civil Aeronautics
board, came this statement:
"I'm not in position to tell you
when we can get to it. All I can do
is to assure you that we'll do the
very best we cam.
Application Field
The Canadian Colonial anyways
filed an application July IS for
authority to operate a line from
Canada to Nassau with intermedi-
ate stops at several coastal cities
The application was supported by
the Atlantic Coastal Cities Air Ser
vice association, composed Of mu-
nicipal officials of Atlantic City,
Norfolk, Elizabeth City, New Bern,
Wilm o n, Myrtle Beach,
Georgetown, and Charleston.
In a 45-minute conference, as
sociation leaders and congressman
told Branch the proposed line was
given added importance when the
government recently announced
plans for a ring of offshore air
board. They asked an early hear.
ing.
Representative Clark D-NC) as
serted this application should be
given preference over some in
Continued on Page Three
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
Gillette And
Others Talk At Willard
5000 ATTEND PICNIC
Governor Nominate Praises
Work OF State, National
Agricultural Agencies
BY DAVID
fStaff CORRESPONDENT

N0"~
WILLARD, Sept. 12.-About s.
600 members of southeastern North
Cardinals farm families descend
ed upon the Coastal Plains expert
ment station here today and lis
tened to speeches, at fried chick
en- and examined the various agrl-
cultural experiments being carried
out.
The occasion was the stations
24th annual field day and picnic
an institution in this section
of the state-and the day was pro-
nounced as one of the most sue
cessful ever held.
Speakers
Speakers included: ]. Melville
Broughton, Democratic governor
nominate; Lieut. Col. George Gill
lette, Wilmington district army en-
gineer; Col. j. W. Harreuson, dean
of administration at N. c. state
college; and Senator James II
Clark, of Elizabethtown.
Exhibits and demonstrations In.
Guided all phases Of agricultural
work, ranging from farm machln'
cry to egg grading. In addition to
displays by specialists in various
fields, the many experimental plots
and fields operated at the testing
station were opened to inspection
Governor-nominate Broughton
opened his talk by saying i've
always had a great respect fol
CONTINUED on Page Five; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13

A native of Wilmington, j. A.
Struthers, is superintendent of
the Hercules Powder company
at Kenvil, N. j., which was
swept by a series of explosions
that took 10 lives yesterday,
his sister-in-l law, Mrs. William
Struthers, said last night.
Mr.. Struthers, she said, was
not injured in the blasts.
He was born in Wilmington
but left here many years ago and
for the past rs years has been in
the employ of the Hercules COM
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
~uanued on Page Five; Col. a
n nY RICHARD l.. TURNER

,en nsatooHlNGTON, Sept. 12.-A-
a cIanouSe conferees broadened
aent eOse empowering the govern
unitS 70 commander industrial
md tof defense purposes today
scrin men gave the peace-time con-
Ths '0n OIL their final approval.
Wax administration leadership
inca s, upelol, meanwhile, that the
he W. could be on its way to
The" h House in a day or so.
legis, teueved the two intervening
lie eve processes-approval OF
by the piomlse version of the bill
connla senate and house might be
ipleted tomorrow.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13

.HeavyCunfire
To Hit London
Heavy Barrage Succeeds In
Bunting Main Force OF
Night Air Attacks
CASUALTIES REPORTED
Raids Believed Less Dam
aging Thar At Any Time
Since Big Drive Opened

LONDON, Sept. 13.-FridayeR)
German raiders bucking terrific
anti-aircraft fire stabbed at London
repeatedly last night and early to-
day, dropping high explosives and
fire bombs, some Of which crashed
in the central rea
But the heavy barrage erected
over the city apparently succeeded
as on the previous night in bunting
the main force of the attacks. Time
and again mass formations of planes
upon meeting the curtain Of burst
ing shrapnel turned away from the
city to loose their bombs on Lon
don's outskirts.
Determined Ihrusts
Just after 3 a. m. g p. m, EST
the most determined thrusts of the
night were made against mid-Lon-
don. Showers of heavy bombs and
incendiaries rained down in two di-
rections, and the anti-aircraft racket
vas deafening.
With almost clock-like precision
many of the raids at 15-minute in
tervals. The sound of planes near
ing the city Immediately brought the
violent reaction of ground guns toss
ing tons of shells into the murky
sky.
A hail of an~ti-aircraft shrapnel
fell on rooftops and streets. Police
and air raid wardens remained above
ground during this inferno Of firing
to report fires and locate any de-
layed-action bombs that fell.
They roped off streets where
powerful explosions ripped huge
craters in the pavements and notified
firemen where incendiary blazes
began.
Ground Trembles
Now and then a house or building
in some districts Of the city col
lapsed like an aspirin tossed into a
glass of water. The ground trembled
both with German bombs and the
slamming of the "archie" defenders.
Some casualties were reported but
the attacks were believed less dam
aging than any night since the
heavy raiding began last Saturday.
After each German attack sub
sided the streets became ominously
quiet and in the Fleet street area
the hum of printing presses was
heard. London newspapers had their
first chance since saturday to get
editions out on time.
The sixth straight night attack
began at GIL p. m. (3:11 p. m. EST
and the first wave Of Nazi planes
smashed at the city in an assault
lasting an hour and Is minutes be-
fore the sound of their motors died
away as did the barrage. The alarm
continued. however, through the
night.
For Is minutes the city-lying un.
der a sharp, squally early fall rain,
was silent.
Guns Open
But then, the guns - which on
Wednesday night had fired half a
million rounds - thundered again,
fighting a second wave. They, too,
fled shortly.
There was another period of extra
ordinary quiet, but just before mid
night two new Nazi squadrons sped
Continued on Page Three
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13

WASHINGTON, Sept. a. Up
Export traffic through Atlantic and
Gulf ports last month was 80 per
cent greater than that Of August,
1889, the Association Of American
Railroads reported today.
Export freight, o,-es than grain,
unloaded at these ports totaled 81, 1874
cars in August, 1910. In the same
month last year, there were 27,27S
cars. In July, 1910, the ports
handled 1854 cars.
Grain traffic for export amounted
to 1,472 cars, an eight per cent de-
crease from August, 1889.
At the port t New York, the as
ISOLATION reported, unloadings for
literage last month averaged GU cars
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS
DEMOLLSH HERCULES
FIRMS MILL IN ~ J.
Wilmingtonian Is Chief
OF Kenvil Powder Plant

pany. MIR. Struthers' relatives
here include two sisters, Mrs.
John C. VESSEL and Miss He's
ter Struthers.
Mrs. Struthers said that short
ly after hearing about the ex-
plosion she attempted to tele-
phone Kenvil but it was some
time before the connection could
be put through. She talked with
Mr.. Struthers' wife and learned
that he had not received any in
juries in the blast, one of the
greatest at an American powder
plant in recent years.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
Plan To Draft Industry
For Defense BrOadened

The joint army and navy selec-
tive service committee, which has
been making plans for CONSUMPTION
for IA years, stood by ready to put
it's carefully worked-out arrange
ments into effect as soon as con-
gress votes funds.
The first step, under the terms
of the measure would be a procla-
nation by the President. and with
in two weeks after that the mill
tary and naval officials, planned
to complete the registration OF the
men affected-all between Il and
IS inclusive. Further, tthey expect
CONTINUED on Page Three)
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
Traffic OF Gulf,
Atlantic Ports Climbs

daily, 81 cars less than the daily
average in June. This also was
slightly less than the July average,
but higher than the average daily
u%nlodaings for the frs. five months
of 1910.
1t said about % per cent Of the
railroads storage space at the port
Of New York was being utilized.
The August export freight, other
than grain, at other ports. together
with the percentage Of increase
from August, 1889, included:
Boston, 1870 cars, 1856 per cent:
Baltimore, 7,142, 304 per cent; Hamp.
Continued or Page ThreaA
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
BY DREW

LONDON, Sept. 12.-R-An army
of 1000, 900 trimmed Britain's mist
shrouded coastline and hundreds of
airfields or likely landing spots to.
night in expectation Of an imminent
Nazi invasion.
Intelligence officers Of all three
services confirmed Prime Minister
Churchill's warning yesterday that
a German attempt was considered a
possibility perhaps. in a weeks time,
and that Nazi power barges and
other ships were concentrated from
Norway to southern France along
the continental coast opposite Eng
land.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
Action On Air line Plan
Is Urged By Delegation
Amendment To New Tax
Bill Planned By Brown

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12.-R
- Senator Brown D-Mich) told
the senate today that an amend
ment would be offered to the
excess profits tax bill to tax fu-
ture issues of governmental Sc
curities.
Brown, chairman of a special
committee appointed to investi-
gate tax exempt securities, said
a majority of the committee was
prepared to recommend that no
future federal bond issues be ex-
empt from tax and that future
state and local issues be taxed.
Meanwhile, Senator LaFollette
(Prog-Wis) filed a minoritt re-
port describing the finance COM
mittee's revised version of the
excess profits tax bill as zone
which violates every principle of
sound tax revenue"
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
l6 Join LOCAL
POST OF LEGION
Reports On Membership
Drive Still To Be Received
From Some Captains

ny,
Wilmington Post No. 10, American
,s'0h' has added 1876 new members
81 'ne past few days during the
~uSe OF the membership campaign,
,.~' commander W. r. Dosher said
1t said, however, that this does
W represent all of the new mem
.Hs' as at least a dozen" team cap
u' nave not filed a report as yet.
,,s ~ asked that all captains and
~, au workers turn in their member
b. Vafds at Legion headquarters on
'"Vess street Immediately so that
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-13
WEATHER

FORECAST
North Carolina: Fair, continued cooi
Friday: Saturday generally fair sllgn1-
~ warmer.
ending 1880 p. m. yesterday.
Temperature
1870 a, m. g.; 1880 q. m. 81; l:So ?:
m. r.; 7:3O p. m. 90; ma11m n 'o'
minimnm 58: mean So; normal "a.
Humidity
t.s0 a. m. SO; 1880 q. m. 70; lou p.
m, 81; 1880 p. m. SO.
Precipitation
Total for "a hours ending 7:5o P. H.
none; total since first OF the month
Tides For Today
wilmington - 7 7;s5a a a:S5s
Masonboro Inlet ---- PIE a y 1i :4sn
Sunrise 5:54a: sunset 6:22p; moon
rise 4:39p: moonset SODA.
Cana Fear river stage 1t ray
etteville, at 8 .. M, September LIZ
9.8 feet. ?
(Continued ON Page Five; Col. ~
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-21
Personal
Local Women s ORT Group
Gathers AtAnnuaL Meeting

offered by Rabbi Maurice zigmond
who also gave q brief talk on TIN
plications Of Jewish Survival" Miss
Paulette Wolozin rendered several
vocal solos.
Mrs. A. Henry Wiesman was
elected to the executive board Of the
national association.
Mrs. Henry 0artzmann, chairman
Of the nominating committee, Of
fered O new slate Of officers for the
election which will be held shortly.
Mrs. Gartzman was assisted by Mrs.
Joseph Krasow, Mrs. Joseph rsen-
berg, Mrs. Sidney Albert, Mrs. Jacob
Freedman, Mrs. Harry Levin and
Mrs. Leonard Garston.
The committee In charge Of yes
terday's meeting included Mrs. A.
Henry Weisman, Mrs. Meyer Don,
Mrs. Leonard Garston, Mrs. Henry
Gartzman, Mrs. Joseph 1senberg,
Mrs. Joseph Krasow, Mrs. Harry
Levin, Mrs. Louis Levin, Mrs. Nathan
Freedman, Mrs. idney Albert, Mrs.
rving Pasternak, Mrs. Lyman Aron-
son, Mrs. Albert Berment, Mrs. Ed
ward Goldberg, Mrs. Benjamin
Wertheimer, Mrs. Wilfred Green
blatt, Mrs. Donald Adelbert and Mrs.
Isaac dreenberg.
Among the future events an
nounced at the affair were a novelty
luncheon bridge and nah jong to be
given at the home Of Mrs. David
Stein OF 40 stephanie circle May 20
at 1870 p. m. and picnic at the
cottage OF Mrs. Bernard A. Berman
at Quassapaug, date TO be announced
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-21
Weddings
Business And Professional
Club Has Supper Meeting

social committee, which included
Mrs. Katherine williams, Mrs,
George Brown, Mrs. Charles Toie-
man, Miss Ruth Grinell, Miss
Addie Crane, Miss Florence Baker,
Miss Hanna Doherty, Miss Char
lotte Merchant and Miss Cora
Crompton.
Among those present we're E. M.
Be nedict, J. K. Bronneke, Mat.,l
Burn, Caroline Benham, Alice Ben:
ham, Florence Baker, Mrs. George
Brown, Cora Crompton, Addie
Crane, Rose Clarkin, M. Doyle
Camp, Helen Downey, Florence
Greenleaf, Harriet Goodyear, Ruth
Grinnell Isabel Hinckley, Helen
Heater, Edna Kott, Ruth Liebeck,
Julia Mcdonald, Olive Marshall,
Emily Merriman, Helen Merriman,
Anna Moran and Charlotte Mer-
chant.
Others who attended we're: Ruth
Parker, Anna Plat, Alethea Puffer,
Laura Russell, Myra SomerS, E. A.
Somers, NJ, II. Somers, Edith Sell
lew, Florence Sellew, Helen Tareila,
Il. Whitehall, Katherine williams
Mrs, Irene Brown, Lauretta Nc
Kenna, Geraldine Coon, Mrs. Es-
telle Atkins, May Miller, Marjorie
Dayton, Catherine Christian, Mrs.
Pauline Graham, Mrs. Helen Don.
ahue, Muriel Schoheld, Dorothy
jenkins, Henrietta Jentoch, Mrs,
Mildred Root, Gertrude Granger,
Mrs. Doris Wheeler, Hilda Bloom,
Wilmary Downs, Mildred FenSke
and Mildred Webster,
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-21

Dr.. and Mrs. J. b. Kennedy Of
Long Beach, Calf celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary recently
with O dinner at Waverly inn, Che
shire, Dr.. and Mrs. Kennedy were
married at the Church OF the So
cred Heart OH May i6, 1890, by the
late Rev. Hugh Trainor. Mrs. Ken.
nedy Is the former Elizabeth Dun
ply Of this city.
Among the guests we're Mrs.
Katherine Brennan and Mrs. Ellen
Cooney, sisters OF Mrs. Kennedy,
Mrs, Daniel Buckley, Mrs, Mary
Brennan, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Troy,
Mr.. and Mrs. Merrill Dinoya, Mr..
and Mrs. Hugh Gallagher, Mr., and
Mrs, Joseph Brennan, Mr.. and Mrs,
Martin Brennan, John Brennan,
Margarety Cooney, Esther Coone
and Miss Margaret Cronan OF this
city, Mr.. and Mrs. Antoine Houde
OF Wolcott, Mr.. and Mrs. Vincent
Nolan OF Derby, and Mr.. and Mrs
John Cooney Of Litchfield.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-21
Coming Events

May 2I-Naturalist club dinner.
The Elton.
May 2i-TestImonial dinner for
Harrison s, Allen, Y, M. G, A,
May 22-Judge Jacob Asher,
Waterbury Hebrew Institute,
May 23--Mount Manresa retreat.
ant dinner The Elton.
May 23-santa Maria Circle show,
Women's club
May 24-Regina Leonard's public
recital Women'S club.
May 26-Resary ConfraterIty and
Third Order dinner, The Elton,