The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-01-04
Red Forces Are Pushing UN Troops Into Sea
JUNEAU AFFECTED BY REGULATIONS
 ON EXPLOSIVES

plCllloC IildC BONclllIilcllJ iCS uld- tions effective August g, 1850 which tighten the control of loading and discharge of Class A explosives, Dangerous Cargo Act, at Alaskan ports, present serious handicap to the progress of vital construc- ton work and operations in regard to the defense program in the ter ritory, and because excessive costs in transporting explosives to meet the requirements would virtually prohibit activities by small opera tors in mining, logging and other work where explosives are required, a modification of the US. Coast Guard policy in administration and enforcement of the regulations was urged by representative of in- terested concerns at a conference called at 10 o'clock this morning in the Senate Chambers by Admiral Joseph Greenspun, Commandant of the 17th US. Coast Guard District.
 Name Objections
 Objections voiced to the regula- tions hinge on the rulings for load ings or discharge of Class A explo- sives in amounts exceeding 500 pounds, and to the use by the Coast Guard of the American Table of Distances in determining the re- strictions to be put on the various ports along Alaska's coast.
 Forty persons were present at the conference which was recessed at noon to continue this afternoon. Letters were read from the Talbot Co.,, Inc, of Ketchikan. J. A. Talbot, Mayor of Ketchikan, the US. Smelt- ing and Mining Company and the Cordova Barge Company suggest ing the need for modification of the ruling.
 Represent Interests
 Appearing at this mornings ses- sion were L. A. Moore, Manager of the Association of General Con- tractors, H. M. Strohecker, Jr., Manager of the Explosives Division of the du Pont Powder Company at Seattle, Bernard Ducharme, Surface Foreman of the Healy River Coal Corporation. Norman Banfield, attorney, representing the Juneau district interests, c. s. Duryea, General Freight and Passenger Agent in Alaska for the Alaska Steamship Company, G. w. Thomp- son, manager of the Atlas Powder Company, Seattle District, Col. John R. Moves, Commissioner of the Alaska Rced Commission. repre- senting the Alaska Road Commits sion and thu Governor of Alaska.
 Use Table Not Practical
 Objections to the use of the American Table of Distance as compiled by the Manufacturers of Explosives obligated to use by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in administering the regulations, was on the consideration that the in tent in the compilation of the table was to specify distance to be main- tained in the storing of explosives and bears no reference to the trans portation of explosives. It was the general consensus of the opinion of the interested persons that ap- plication of the Table of Distances in administering the regulations, was would not be practical and, in fact, from a commercial standpoint might prohibit the use of dynamite in a number of instances.
 Opinions expressed were in effect that restrictions allocating only 500 pounds to certain ports to be un- loaded at one time should be modi- fled to apply safety measures and be commercially practicable. In a summary of the efforts to solve the problem imposed on Alaska by the new regulations on unload ing and discharge of Class A ex- plosives in amounts exceeding 500 pounds, Col. Moves said that he felt allowances should be made ii the American Table of Distances is ap- piled in the endorsements Of the regulations. He said he felt that the Coast Guard could allow discretion in the 500 pound limit allocated to be unloaded at certain ports.
 The Colonel observed that if manufacturers of explosives had been consulted regarding the safety rules of maintaining explosives magazines, they should also be consulted regarding safety rules for movement of explosives.
 Colonel Moves said that no one disputes the law, it's purpose or ap- plication. The difficulty to be solved, he said, is as it applies in Alaska.
 Solve Problem Here
 The Road Commissioner said he feels that every effort should be made to solve the problem locally and that it be referred to Washing ton only if there be an irreconcil- able controversy.