PROHIBITING COMMON CARRIERS ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1904. TRANSPORTATION OF GUNPOWDER AND OTHER HIGH HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ON THE BILL (H. R. 11964) TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES AND TRAVELERS UPON RAILROADS, AND PERSONS LIVING OR DOING BUSINESS IN THE VICINITY THEREOF, BY PROHIBITING COMMON CARRIERS ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE FROM TRANSPORTING GUNPOWDER AND OTHER HIGH EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS OVER THEIR LINES, EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ETC. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 18, 1904. STATEMENT OF MR. T. LUDLOW CHRYSTIE, OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTING THE MASURITE EXPLOSIVE COMPANY, OF TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. CHRYSTIE. Gentlemen, I appear before you in regard to House bill 11964, in reference to the transportation of explosives. My client is a manufacturer of explosives, with a large plant at Masury, Trumbull County, Ohio. This bill has been brought to its attention this week, and only to my attention as counsel of that company since last night. There are two points we especially desire to be heard on, now or later on. The first point is that this bill provides that the inspectors to be appointed by this act shall have access to the manufactories at any time, and shall have power to examine the processes of the manufacture of explosives, and shall have power to call upon the manufacturers for the ingredients of explosives. This is a matter of very vital importance to my client, for the reason that the process is a secret process. The explosive is a nitrate of ammonia compound, which is a safer compound than nitroglycerin; and my client has hit upon a secret process which makes the explosive a nonhazardous high explosive. The CHAIRMAN. And has not divulged it? Mr. CHRYSTIE. No, sir. would The CHAIRMAN. We are sorry that we are pressed for time this morning, and can not accord you as much time for a hearing as we like. We would be very glad if you would put in writing what you desire to say, and submit it. 3 |