bill a beneficial and proper one. This inspection of factories and process is of interest to us for the reason that I advanced yesterday. Our particular explosive, masurite, is made under a secret process. This observing of secrecy in manufacturing a chemical product is followed by a great many manufacturers. If the committee will look at page 8 of the bill, line 12, you will see the objectionable words, "The process of manufacture;" also on page 9, line 16, "Fully examine and inspect the process of manufacture;" again on page 9, line 22, "That he shall have the right to inspect and receive samples of the ingredients." We say of the ingredients, no! Of the finished product, yes! Examine the explosive all you want, analyze it, and subject it to any safety tests that the inspector may require; but do not ask us to give to the chief inspector and to the subinspectors in other words, to make public-a process which for reasons of trade is private. Mr. ADAMSON. Can you not satisfy the inspector without publicity, and without detriment to your business interests, and could not his statement be accepted? Mr. CHRYSTIE. The inspector could submit masurite to every test for safety. Mr. STEVENS. You heard what was testified as to the necessity for packing specially for transportation? Mr. CHRYSTIE. Yes. Mr. STEVENS. Could not that be done without exposing your trade secrets? Mr. CHRYSTIE. Undoubtedly so. Mr. STEVENS. That is what you care for, really? Mr. CHRYSTIE. The protection of the secret, yes; but under this bill the inspectors would have the right to inspect the details of manufacture and to demand from us the ingredients and process. Mr. ADAMSON. Suppose we provide in the bill for the protection by the inspector of your secrets? Mr. CHRYSTIE. I would not like to have it put in that form. The chief inspector and his subinspectors might be the most close-mouthed individuals in the world, but as some one has said, a secret is no longer a secret after you have told it to a third person. Mr. ADAMSON. If in any way you can satisfy the inspector so that he will stamp your product, it is no concern of the public what your secrets are? Mr. CHRYSTIE. Of no concern at all. But if you could put in the bill something which would show that it is the intention to specify that the product is safe to ship Doctor DUDLEY. Yes, that is all that is necessary. Mr. STEVENS. I would suggest that you had better frame your suggestions and transmit them to the committee so that they may be contained in the hearings. Mr. CHRYSTIE. There is just one other point I wish to make in closing. I have just returned from Porto Rico, where I have seen people doing things down there in the same way as they did three or four hundred years ago, but I think that American ingenuity and brains stand for progress, and I believe my client has made progress in the art of explosives which entitles him to consideration. Doctor Dudley has told you to-day that it is a fact there is a distinction made in Germany as to the laws affecting what are called safety explosives and the hazardous nitroglycerin explosives. Many people are endeavoring to so advance the art that this element of danger will be eliminated. There are men who have made a life study along that line. The German Empire has recognized that there is such a thing as a safe high explosive by allowing certain nitrate of ammonia explosives, for instance, to be shipped as common, ordinary freight. What I would like very much to see, and what I make a plea for, is that a provision be inserted in the bill which shall use the term, "nonhazardous high explosives," in contradistinction to the nitroglycerin products, and that a class be made of nonhazardous high explosives, such as is made in Germany. I think this is fair, and I think it is an incentive which will drive manufacturers along the safety line. As Doctor Dudley says, he does not want to advertise any particular product. I do not want to advertise and do not want to appear before this committee in that light at all, but I do know that my client is a responsible business man who has invested a fortune in perfecting a nonhazardous high explosive, and he is a man who has taken his education and his time and his money and applied them along the safety lines of explosives. I am not asking a new thing. Germany has recognized that there are safe explosives. Why should we not do the same? I believe that the surest and best road to obtain the results desired by this proposed bill is to recognize and encourage the manufacture of nonhazardous high explosives. I thank the committee for this hearing, and as the time of the committee is limited I will ask leave that these three documents, which I now hand to the stenographer, be spread upon the record. The CHAIRMAN. Yes; very well. ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF DR. CHARLES B. DUDLEY, OF ALTOONA, PA. Mr. DUDLEY. May I say a word further? It is not asked that the manufacturer shall reveal the composition of his product. Doctor Dupree has every new explosive submitted to him, and he has certain tests which those explosives must stand. If the manufacturer is willing to reveal the constituents of the explosive, it is done, but if he is not so willing, it is not done. This whole book is made up on the theory of various manufacturers telling how they make their explosives. The CHAIRMAN. You can prepare an amendment, perhaps, which will suit your purpose, providing that where a secret process or method is used, or ingredients are used that the manufacturer could not divulge without harm to his business, in such case the provisions of the paragraph on pages 8 and 9 should not apply, or some such thing as that. Put it in shape and send it to us. Mr. STEVENS. And if Doctor Dudley would put in shape his suggestion as to discretion. Mr. DUDLEY. I will be glad to do that. Mr. ADAMSON. Would not we better provide that they should at least satisfy the inspector that it is safe, so that he can certify that it is safe? He need not divulge his secret if he can satisfy the inspector, if the inspector can be satisfied without it. Mr. CHRYSTIE. I have made an examination of many of the State statutes on this subject, and I would say, incidentally, there is a United States statute The CHAIRMAN. Have you given that to the stenographer? The CHAIRMAN. It might help us. Mr. ADAMSON. If you can satisfy the inspector without divulging your secret that is all right, and if it is necessary that he should know the composition of your product in order to be able to certify that it is safe we can enjoin secrecy on him. Mr. CHRYSTIE. No; we do not think we should be compelled to rely upon a statutory provision enjoining secrecy. The CHAIRMAN. I think that other suggestion is practicable; that is, requiring the inspector to appear within a reasonable time after notice is given, twenty-four hours, or whatever time might be reasonable. Mr. CHRYSTIE. You see it would hamper shipments if we had to wait indefinitely. The CHAIRMAN. Yes; there is a good reason for that. Mr. CHRYSTIE. I would like to ask Doctor Dudley to prepare some provision in regard to the bulk. The CHAIRMAN. I think if you and Doctor Dudley would get together you would evolve such suggestions as might be valuable. Mr. DUDLEY. I would like to ask if other manufacturers will be allowed to appear before your committee at another hearing? Mr. ADAMSON. I represented that complaint when I asked you the other day about ammunition. I understand that there is a substantial accord between all parties as to ammunition? The CHAIRMAN. Yes; as to its being safely packed. Mr. DUDLEY. I did not know but the large manufacturers of explosives would like to have a hearing. Of course I did not know anything as to whether they had asked for a hearing or anything of the kind, or whether it was customary. I made the suggestion to find out. I know before the Senate committee they said that they would have a subsequent hearing for manufacturers, those who actually made the explo sives. The CHAIRMAN. We probably will not take the matter up again. We have a great many things to attend to, you know. We have been, as you see, holding sessions every day this week. Mr. DUDLEY. Yes, you have been working very hard. (Thereupon the committee adjourned.) Affidavit of F. Elliott Cabot. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, County of Suffolk, ss: F. Elliott Cabot, being duly sworn, says that he is assistant secretary of the Boston oard of Fire Underwriters in the city of Boston, State of Massachusetts; that on the ourth day of June, 1902, he attended a series of tests made upon the explosive masurite, which tests were made at the country residence of Mr. Fred. L. M. Masury, in the town of North Hempstead, Long Island; that he closely observed said tests, and that the results were as follows: CONCUSSION TESTS. 1. About an ounce of masurite placed on an anvil and struck sharp blows with hand hammer. Result: No detonation or ignition. 2. About four ounces of masurite placed on an anvil and struck heavy blow with a 16-pound sledge. Result: No detonation or ignition. 3. About an ounce of masurite placed on a stone struck sharp blows with hand hammer. Result: No detonation or ignition. 4. About four ounces of masurite placed on a stone struck with a 16-pound sledge. Result: No detonation or ignition. 5. Seventy-two pounds iron weight allowed to fall 25 feet upon ten-ounce cartridge of masurite placed on anvil. Result: No detonation or ignition. Masurite placed in steel cylinder having tight piston into it and upon masurite; weight allowed to fall on piston same distance as before. Result: No detonation and no ignition. Repetition of same test, using same cylinder and the masurite that has been compressed in the last test. Result: No detonation or ignition. Masurite placed in steel cylinder with plunger of smaller diameter resting upon masurite: seventy-two pounds weight allowed to fall three times upon plunger same distance as before. Result: No detonation or ignition. 6. Shooting through a can of about 123 pounds of masurite four Government rifle, using smokeless powder and mushroom bullets. nation or ignition. 7. Ditto, ditto, four shots as above, using steel jacketed bullets. nation or ignition. shots from 30-40 Result: No deto Result: No deto 8. Can containing about ten pounds of masurite heated in direct contact with burning coal, shot through as above with mushroom bullets. Charcoal was around, under, and on top of masurite; waited until powder itself was burning, by actual contact with ignited carbon; then fired shots. Result: No detonation and no explosion. FIRE TESTS. 9. Red-hot iron, inch in diameter, run through a cartridge of masurite. Result: Masurite melted and ignited at point of contact; fire went out immediately on withdrawal of iron, except that paper of cartridge burned for a moment or so. 10. Red-hot iron, about one inch in diameter, run into a can containing about ten pounds of masurite. Result: Masurite melted and ignited; fire went out immediately after withdrawal of iron. 11. Cartridge of masurite placed upon forge fire and the latter blown vigorously. Result: Masurite melted and burned slowly. 12. About ten pounds of masurite thrown upon forge fire. Result: Masurite melted, vaporized, and burned. 13. Action of masurite when burning charcoal is placed upon a heap of it: That portion of masurite in contact with the charcoal melted, ignited, and burned. Fire went out of itself when out of contact of heat from charcoal. 14. A bundle of "parlor" matches, about 1 inch in diameter, ignited in a heap of masurite. Result: Ignited and melted masurite where in contact with the heads of the matches, but extinguishd itself immediately; likewise the matches. 15. Masurite covered with smokeless powder and latter ignited. Result: Masurite did not ignite. 16. Masurite covered with black powder and the latter ignited. did not ignite. 17. Black powder covered with masurite and former ignited. did not ignite. Result: Masurite Result: Masurite Result: Masurite 18. Smokeless powder covered with masurite and former ignited. slightly ignited, but fire did not burn and went out immediately. 19. Action of masurite when thrown upon red-hot iron plate, first in small quantities, then in large ones. Result: Masurite simmered, sputtered, and burned slowly. 20. Melting-pot filled with masurite covered with inverted funnel and placed upon forge fire; same blown until masurite decomposes and fumes come from funnel. Attempt made to light fumes. Result: No explosion. Could not light fumes with matches in bundles of five or six at a time. Vapor put matches out immediately. ELECTRIC TESTS. 21. Masurite placed upon iron and series of electric sparks allowed to pass in contact with it. Means: A wire run over a file covered with masurite. Result: Sparks flying through the powder, which scorched and melted in spots. No detonation or explosion. 22. Masurite placed in electric arc formed by two carbons and strong current of electricity. Result: No explosion. 23. Copper wire heated to redness and finally melted by electric current while in contact with masurite. Result: Masurite melted and charred next to wire. No other result. Twenty-five amperes fuse wire covered with masurite fused by electric current. Result: No explosion. FRICTION TESTS. 24. Masurite placed on sand paper, rubbed with sand paper on block carrying 25 pounds weight. Result: No effect on masurite. 25. Ditto, ditto, emery cloth used in place of sand paper. Result: No effect on masurite. 26. Ditto, ditto, emery cloth on one surface and sand paper on other. Result: No effect on masurite. DETONATION TESTS. 27. Detonation of single cartridge of masurite in open air, using "double-strength” electrical fuse. Result: Loud report; no visible flame. 28. One cartridge of masurite with fuse and one without, ends touching. Both detonated as in previous test. Result: 29. One cartridge of masurite with fuse and six without, ends touching. Result: All seven detonated as in previous test. 30. One cartridge of masurite with fuse and one without, placed twenty-four inches apart on level. Result: Cartridge without fuse thrown about one rod by force of explosion; powder scattered unburnt and unexploded. 31. One cartridge of masurite with fuse and one without, placed twelve inches apart on level. Result: Same as in previous test. 32. One cartridge of masurite with fuse and one without, the latter hung over and eighteen inches from the former. Result: Did not burn, explode, or detonate the upper cartridge. 33. One cartridge of masurite hung in air with "double strength" fuse suspended from it and four inches below; fuse exploded. Result: Broke cartridge, spilled powder but did not explode it. 34. Cartridge of 40 per cent dynamite and cartridge of masurite placed twenty-four inches apart and dynamite exploded by a fuse. Result: No effect upon masurite except to break cartridge and scatter the powder. 35. Tests in bore-hole in rock, using about four ounces of masurite that had been placed in freezing mixture with temperature about zero, Fahrenheit, for one hourtaken out and immediately exploded. Result: Rock of about two tons completely broken. Largest piece could be easily loaded on a cart by one man. These tests were also performed before William McDevitt, Philadelphia Fire Underwriters' Association, Philadelphia, Pa., and the following gentlemen, who, I understand, represent the following interests: J. R. Onderdonk, engineer of tests, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Baltimore, Md. Dr. C. B. Dudley, chemist, Pennsylvania Railroad, Altoona, Pa. W. W. Taylor, maintenance of ways department, New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, New York City. Daniel W. Darling, vice-president, Milford Pink Granite Company, Milford, Mass. R. L. Lovelace, purchasing agent, Milford Pink Granite Company, Milford, Pa. Cyrus W. Perry, general sales agent, Masurite Explosive Company, New York City. Sworn to before me this 23d day of December, 1902. [SEAL.] F. ELLIOT CABOT. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, I hereby certify that at the date of the attestation hereto annexed, Horatio N. Glover, jr., was a notary public for the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; that as such notary public he was by law authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments or deeds and other instruments throughout the Commonwealth; that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of court, and that I believe the signature to the annexed attestation to be genuine. In testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Commonwealth the date first above written. [SEAL.] WM. M. OLIN, Secretary of the Commonwealth. |