The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-28
THE WEATHER.
The Protection OF Life and Property from Light
ming.
BY LIEUT.. J. P FINLEY, U. 3. sIaxAL SERVICE.

BY LIEUT.. J. p. FINLEY, U. =. SIGNAL SERVICE.
correspondence invited, suggestions desired.
and information cheerfuly furnished. Every ef-
fort employed To make this Bureau OF practical use
tOOuT readers All communications should be Rd
dressed Weather, THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office,
Washington, ID. CT
As the season for thunderstorms approaches a
discussion OF the question is Opportune and the
information to be furnished will be found OF
practical importance. Sufficient attention has
not been given this subject in this country TO
develop the most accurate and satisfactory
analytical results from the available infor-
nation. Moreover the systematic collection
Of necessary data has not been thoroughly
pursued in this country. European countries
have taken the lead in this work, and in the
order OF importance and extent Of investiga-
ton, France stands foremost. followed sue
cessively by Prussia aud England. In these
countries an active interest has been taken by
the National Government and elaborate in
vestigatiOns have been made the subject Of
extended official reports One Of the most i'm
portant actions Of this character IS embodied in
the report of the Lightning Rod Conference of
England submitted in December, ISL. aud pub
lished ia 1882, containing nearly 800 pages.
The conference was composed OF delegates from
the following scientific societies: Royal In
stitnte Of British Architects. Royal MeleorolOgi-
cal Society. the Society Of Telegraph Engineers
and Electricians, the Physical Society.
IL is believed that the amount Os light that
would be thrown on the action Of lightning
from the scientific inspection and record by
authority for a number OF years OF the thunder
bolt incidents that take place during that
time would DO something incredible. More
over, IL these records were Published annually,
the public interest would be kept alive and
organized effort under Government or State
aid materially assisted.
There are some people who deery all efforts
directed 10 the record and invest cation Of Ma
lures dangers to life aud property. on the as
sumption that such inquiry leads 10 an ex-
aggeration of such perils, especially by the
ignorant and nervous. It's probably true that
many people may become Indifferent TO danger
when not aroused by published statements as TO
its extent severity and formal preparations
made 10 investigate attendant circumstances
and causes Moral philosophy may teach US
that il is not always necessary 10 tell the truth
and spread il broadcast, but science insists on
the whole truth and nothing but the truth"
Unbiased investigation and faithful statement
Of facts should tend TO allay- fear rather than
provoke it.
We cannot expect 10 change the earth and
its envelOp-the atmosphere-to such an eI-
tent as to prevent manifestations Of atmOs-
pheric electricity, but we can investigate our
relations to the subtle fluid with the hope
Of attaining results that will benefit our sur
roundings very materially in the direction OF
protection from the ravages Of lightning.
The Weather Bureau is preparing 10 under
take an elaborate and extensive investigation
Of the occurrence Of thunder storms in the
United States, which, il successfully developed,
must result in the accumulation of large
amount Of valuable data Of use in the investi-
cation of the action aud distribution Of light
ming. Such Investigations might lead 10 some
kind OF electro geographical or electrO-geoOgi-
cal survey of various districts which would de-
tcrmine their liability TO injury from dis
charges Of atmospheric electricity.
ITO be cOHtiRued)