The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-19

lighting, and when an electrical storm
II raging are in an agony Of fear We
once knew sensible woman who was
thus afflicted, and whenever she saw
storm approaching would call her
children into the house and make them
sit with her In darkened chamber
until the skies cleared. For the COM
fort of all persons similarly afflicted
let us say that statistics recently
compiled show that the danger of be-
k,g struck by lightning Is very slight
nothing like so great as being struck
by street car in a crowded city.
According to the researches OF the
Federal Weather Bureau. says tho
Philadelphia Ledger, All average OF five
deaths from lightning for each 10000
square miles of territory prevails over
the zone in which Pennsylvania is sit
uated. The records Of the bureau
show that the proportion of deaths by
lightning to the total population of
the country is about five per million.
The Weather Bureaus chart shows
that in Florida the lower edge OF
Georgia and the southeastern corner OF
Alabama thunderstorms are more fro
quent than in any other portion OF
the United States. Here the average
is forty five year. From the Virginia
capes to Connecticut the yearly aver
age Is twenty-five. The Pacific slope
is the ideal region for persons whose
happiness is spoiled by an occasional
lightning flash. In thc... region thun-
derstorms are scarcely known.
Statistics collected in schleswig
Holstein show that in the decade from
1874 to 1883 the annual average Of de-
struotive lightning strokes per mil
lion of buildings was 1853 for slate or
metal and $50 for wooden roofs. The
American statistics also show that
wooden roofs are struck by lightning
more frequently thaa those construct
&c of slate or metal. Buildings erect
ed on certain soils seem to be peculi-
ary exposed to lightning The dan
ger IS ueCidTeu III I. S1eFilldH iIlNeSti-
cations to be greater on clay or sand
than on chalk or mail. The American
Investigations Indicate that churches
and schools are safer than dwellings,.
stores and Office buildings. Houses on
hill slopes are not as safe as those on
Level grounl. The statement is made
liph }ntp fat>
rocks and buildings Unfortunately
it makes little difference sometimes
whether trees are higher than the adj
joining buildings. The relative 1iabil-
ity of different species of trees to be
struck by lightning has been investi-
gated in several countries. 1t seems
that the oak Is exposed to far greater
danger from thunderstorms than any
other forest trees.
But all trees are more or less at
tractive. especially an isolated tree In
field or park. For years we kept a
mental record of casualties from
lightning and found that more per-
sons We're struck while taking shelter
under trees than In any other situa-
open than take the risk under a tree.
1t is also we'll to avoid sitting in a
draught in the house while an electri-
cal storm is doing business. But in
any event. the man who is as safe
from other dangers as he is from the
thunderbolt need not incur the ex-
pense of taking out an accident policy.
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LAWLESsNEsS AND rs EFFECTS.
A Norfolk correspondent quotes a
prominent citizen of Accomac county
as having reported to Governor Swan
son and the military authorities that
the racial troubles on the Eastern
Shore are now caused largely by the
instances sent move out" orders tc
unoffending blacks.
That is the inevitable aftermath OF
the riot. Whenever there is an oper
outbreak in any community. no mat.
ter how great the provocation. the
lawless element is sure to rally anG
will continue in evidence. long alto,
the occasion has passed. That Is why
lynching and all forms of public law
lessness are always to- be avoided Il
possible. The law of the land has n,
inherent strength. no power of self
enforcement.
Nothing sustains the law but public
| sentiment. When that prop Is with
drawn the law falls to the ground
| There is a lawless spirit in every
community, and as soon as the sustain
ing force OF the Laws is relaxed, /
breaks out, as does smo .lderine
! flame. when outward pressure is re
moved.
Mark 1t when you may. lynchins
or riot is sure to be followed b,
other disorders for weeks and months
and sometimes for years to come. 7
wast fully three years before the cit,
of Danville fully recovered from tn
effects of the riot of 1SS3---before law
lessness was sup -~ed end orde
fully restored onancock affords an
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