investigator and three stenographers employed in carrying on the work of the Board. Since the creation of this Bureau much preliminary work necessary for the formulation of additional rules and the revision of those now in force has been performed. RICHARD J. CULLEN, Deputy Commissioner. REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER IIN CHARGE OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE HAZARDS. BOILERS AND EXPLOSIVES) To the Industrial Commission: On April 7, 1915, chapter 234, Laws of 1915, became a law and placed the jurisdiction over explosives in the Department of Labor. The organization of the Bureau was immediately started. May 25, 1915, five special investigators from the Division of Industrial Hygiene were assigned to this Bureau by Commissioner James M. Lynch to investigate the explosive magazines in the state outside of New York City. There were about 400 names on the roster of the Department of State Fire Marshal, and it was found that about 100 of these had stopped using and storing explosives. In the first three months, 350 firms and contractors were found storing explosives without a license and in a manner contrary to law. These concerns were compelled to build fireproof and bulletproof magazines or containers as prescribed by sections 230 to 237, inclusive. Only 25 per cent of the licensed magazines complied with the provisions of chapter 234, in most cases being located too near dwelling houses, public highways and railroads as prescribed by section 231 of the law. Most of these magazines at the present time comply with the law. The Bureau divided the state into nine inspection districts, with one boiler inspector in each district, and it will be the duty of each boiler inspector to inspect boilers and explosive magazines. The application of explosives to the arts of peace has received a tremendous impetus in recent years, and to-day by far the largest proportion of the explosives manufactured in this country is used in engineering and mining work. Explosives have facilitated the driving of tunnels, the building of roads and railways, the winning of ores and coal, the removal of obstructions to navigation, and the rapid accomplishment of many tasks that would have been impossible without their use, except by an enormous expenditure of time and money. The work of regulating the handling and storage of explosives is a very important one as it conserves and protects both life and property by placing the necessary safeguards around an industry that is a grave menace to the community. Section 237 provides that every person selling or giving away explosives in quantities over five pounds shall keep at all times an accurate journal or book of record in which must be entered from time to time, as it is made, each and every sale made by such person in the course of business. The provisions of this section should be strictly adhered to so as to make it difficult for any one with criminal intent to obtain explosives. The utilization of explosives in the industrial development of New York State has been quite marked during the past year. A large amount of blasting has made possible the rapid completion of several of the large undertakings on hand. Millions of tons of rock have been shot down for grading, for rip-rap, and masonry construction. Much blasting has also been done in the quarries, mines, clay pits, cement quarries, and on the railroads, as well as in the river, harbor, and canal improvements. There is a marked increase in the use of explosives for breaking up ice gorges that threaten navigation and bridges. It is a matter of pride when we realize that with all of this activity there is a growing tendency toward a better use of the explosives, especially with regard to the safety of the workmen using them. They are being more carefully and satisfactorily handled each year. One of the marked advances that has been made is in the utilization of explosives for road building and reclamation work. In road building, the use of explosives has undergone marked changes, especially in grading and draining the road bed. This last application has been most marked, as it has enabled the builders to go ahead much more rapidly and at less expense in their work, the blasting of side and outfall ditches having been more than successful. The most marked advantages have been noted on the more difficult jobs. The road improvements have necessitated the handling of thousands of yards of hard ground by a variety of means. Here again explosives have been used with discretion and to good advantage, hard clays, shales and rock being the types of material |