Upon discovering in early 1916 that millions of pounds of munitions were being stockpiled on the Jersey City waterfront , Hague travelled to Washington , D.C. to register concerns for the safety of his constituents . His meetings with Congressmen resulted in no action , Congress having decided that Jersey City was an " appropriate port . " Hague 's concerns were shown to be valid in July 1916 when the Black Tom explosion sent shrapnel flying across the city
Black Tom explosion
Black Tom explosion
Frank Hague