The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
RAILROADS AND THE CLIMATE.
Theory About the Effect of the Iron Bands
Upon Moisture and Temperature.

DR.. George w. Sloan has theory con-
corning tho climatic changes that have
taken place in the United States, especially
in Indiana and further to the West and
Northwest, that is apparently borne out by
facts.
Spreading o map of the United States be-
fore the reporter he began to explain his
views. You will observe here" said the
Doctor. "the level tract of country lying
between the Mississippi river and the foot
hills of the great chain of mountains
known as the Rockies. That tract in
former years was considered. and was for
the most part. an arid plain. Winds from
the north and south swept over 1t back
ward aud forward. IT was furnished with
rivers having their sources in the mount
aims but there were no extensive bodies
of water such as the great lsixes.
"Air currents from the Pacific. laden with
moisture, striking the mountain peaks of
the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas made
snow and rain at the season these winds
prevailed. This gave to the Pacific coast
wet and dry seasons. In order that the
sky moisture might be precipitated, it was
necessary there should be some electrical
connection between the upper current and
the ground. These plains being prac-
tically dry-that Is having no great bodies
of water-there was no evaporation of
moisture TO produce an electrical current,
and in the next place the small amount
of moisture in the clouds was carried east
ward and southwark. Coming To the east
it came within the influence of the great
lakes that gave and continue to give us
our RAIN and snow. Cold winds from the
Arctic region came rushing down through
this plain. bringing cold weather with
them.
"Of late years there have been built
through the mountains and across these
plains four lines of railway, whose bands
of steel act as silent electrical conductors.
bringing into this once arid region q good
amount of rain and an amount of vegeta-
ton unknown in former times. tits a we'll
known fact that moisture has u mitigating
influence upon temperature. and that there
is not now the severe cold weather that
once characterized the immense area of
which i am speaking. The changes in
temperature west of Indiana have brought
about changes in our own State. As to the
influence of great bodies of water
upon climate. We know that the
good fruit area. That the winds from the
West and Northwest crossing that lake gre
tempered by its moisture and reduced in
temperature. The area east Of the lake is
a peach country. while further south in In
diana, where this influence Is not so great
peach trees do not withstand the winters
This at least has been the case, but for the
past eight or nine winters the temperature
has been milder. and peach trees have sur
vived. The increase of rain In this State in
the winter is not uncOnnected with
the electrical conditions | have named
concerning the great region here on the
map. As railroads have multiplied and
trees have been removed our winter rains
have been more frequent, while there has
been less snow and Ice. Cultivation of the
land. too. has brought rain with it, There
are also electrical distur Dances connected
with the movements of trains, though per-
haps these are less definite than the other
causes have named.
My idea is that while we may occasion
ally have cold snap to rush down upon
mp these will be but temporary and we will
never again have long continued cold
winters. Our climate is changing and
these changes come more through the In
fluence of man than from nature