The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-06
FoRErrLI,NG THE TORNADO


The cyclone is becoming an important
subject for study in this western and
southwestern country. At this season Of
the year, now for several years past, these
fearful visitors have made their appearance
without a moments warning, and have
dealt death and destruction in their patti.
They seem TO be more prevalent of late
years than formerly, but come none the
less secretly and unheralded, and are none
the less deadly. The weather bureau at
Washington has, up to this time, utterly
failed to discover and foretell the atmos-
pheric conditions in locality favorable TO
or indicating the approach OF the TORNADO.
Notwithstanding the monies that have
been expended and the attentions bestowed
upon this arm of its service, the prac-
tical benefits that have accrued are
scarcely noticeable, and certainly the
bureau has not reached that degree of per-
lection where it can warn the various COM
munities against this most dreaded and
destructive of atmospheric developments,
the cyclone or tornado And yet, although
they come apparently upon us without a
moments warning, and "lay fields and
forests bare" and make desolate waste out
OF the most promising and populous town,
they, nevertheless, are formed as are other
storms, according to certain conditions and
by processes that consume hours of time.
Perhaps if there were a signal station in
every town in the districts subject to visita-
tons from these violent storms the condi-
tons betokening their approach might e
foreseen and the community be warned
in time to prepare foi the recep-
ton of the unwelcome visitor, but
At present, and perhaps for years
to count such an extended distribution of
signal stations is and will be impossible
In the meantime, however, something
ought to suggest itself asa safe means fol
foIetelling the impending visitation and
preventing the loss of life and limb that
and come often, too, with the season. Other
equally important Disturbing causes other
equally frequent aud destructive visitauts,
it is invariably sought to provide against,
and the ingenuity and creative energy OF
man are taxed to the utmost, until means
| of escape or prevention are found. 1t is
| time that necessity was becoming the
mother of invention and expedients in the
matter under discussion, The storm houses
becoming so common on these great prairies,
where nothing exists to break the
violence or check the fury of the oncomng
torn. are safe retreats and wise precau.
lions, but when to get into them IS the
question and one that our weather proph-
cts and scientists and bureaus do not
answer for us. The New York Herald has
a suggestion that is simple and not costly,
and the effectiveness of the prccauton is
vouched for. In view of the general and
to this immediate section, special impor-
lance of the subject, all suggestions as to
means for foretelling the approach or
threatened approach of cyclones and
dangerous storms are Of interest. The sug-
gestion OF the Herald referred to is that
every town or section in the tornado dis
triCts be provided with large glycer-
inc barometer, an instrument which
can be easily and cheaply constructed,
and be placed Tor that matter
in the yards of private residences. We
quote the following description of the bar
ometer, its manner of construction and
special virtues: 1.-THE instrument consists
Of copper cistern about the size of an or
binary water pail To this is joined COM
position metal tube rising about twenty
four feet and furnished ut the top with a
gun-metal socket, into which is cemented a
glass tube four feet long and one inch in d.
ameter. The tube is filled with glycerine,
colored red with aniline, and the variations
OF the air pressure are shown by variations
IN the height of the glycerine in the tube
exactly as ordinary barometers. The par
ticular advantage of this instrument over
! the mcrcurial barometer is in its greater
sensitiveness to variations of air pres
sure and the ease with which the
changes may be noted, for this one gives
'''''N' "'N'N wv ihNiNuAihi biNVo .tVhthp vi
a degree Any unusual condition of IL O
atmosphere it might be possible to see ard
draw valuable lessons from hours before
Il crisis would reach It's fullest development,
and much suffering and loss be averted by
! acting wisely and in time on the indications
furnished by the barometer. At any rate,
something must suggest itself to the people
Of the plains and the south and southwest
in the premises, or we are likely to continue
to read from time to time ofthe awful work
of the furious elements as they sweep down
upon the unsuspecting and peaceful town
and quiet valley and leave their long, dark
lines of death and devastation behind. 1t
is to be hoped that science will determine
soon accurately for us the dangerous COL
ditions, precedent, and premonitory steps OF
the tornado and cyclone, but until then,
those communities in storm districts aud
the whole west and south are in danger
will act wisely il they act upon such sus.
gestions and means as they now have fur
hished them.
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THE AMERICAN ABROAD,
While We are facilitating ourselves upor