Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-03
Washington, D. c., Aug. 2.-Light-
ming rod agents, beware!

Washington, D. c., Aug. 2.-Lght'
ming rod agents, beware!
Uncle Sam is still on your trail. He
presented the facts on your goods
when you were making your golden
harvest of coin away back in the '70s.
and he has not gone to sleep on the
Job since. Rather he has looked more
carefully into the whole science Of
frightening of the thunderbolts and
today he is ready to instruct the chill
dren and grandchildren Of the farmers
who useA to mortgage their land to
buy your twisted hardware-that they
shall buy good rods, cheap.
Here is the substance of ten ques-
tons and answers on the lightning
rod issue, just published by the de-
partment Of agriculture:
1. Do lightning rods really protect
buildings? Yes; but the rods must
be of proper character, properly in
stalled and properly grounded in rela-
lively moist earth. Periodical inspec-
ton and maintenance In good condi-
ton are indispensable to emcient
protection.
2. Do lightning rods on a build
Ing Increase the danger of its being
struck? Opinion Is divided; but q
properly rodded house may be struck
several times without injury, whereas
a single stroke without the protection
afforded by the rods may cause disas-
ter.
8. Should lightning rods be put up
with or without insulators? Without.
Buildings with metal roofs, or in
which any metal construction employ
ed Is properly connected with the
earth. are already partly provided
with lightning protection. II rods are
added to such buildings the rods
should be put In direct metallic con-
nection with the roof and other metal
work about the building wherever
practicable. All down spouts should
be led into metal pipes going into the
earth to give the proper earth con-
nection or the spouts should other
wise be we'll grounded ~ the use Of
wires or cables. Insulators are en-
tirely unnecessary. It is proper to
have extended metal work In build
ings. like heating and water pipes, all
electrically connected together and
well grounded. This latter result Is
gained incidentally through connec-
tions made TO water pipes.
4. Are gilded or otherwise expen-
sive points of platinum or special met.
al or OF fanciful construction neces.
sary? No; not in the least. The USE
full qualities lightning rod points must
possess are infusibility, mechanical
strength and security of installation,
and permanence and durability under
exposure to the weather. Sharp
points are of no special advantage
where a real flash Of lightning is con.
cerned. Stout bluntly pointed iron
rods half inch in diameter, project
ing two feet above the structure to
which they are securely fastened will
satisfy all requirements.
s. What material is best for the
conductors or rods? Galvanized iron,
not less than one-fourth inch in dia-
meter, carefully installed and inspect
ed at intervals, is recommended. Two
strand cable galvanized-iron fence
wire of the same style as barbed wire
but without the barbs furnishes good
material for cheap rods. Copper is
equally good, is more pliable and lasts
longer than iron, but costs more.
Aluminium is good and lasts long, but
fuses more readily than the other met
ais.
6. Should the rods be made in the
form of solid rods, fiat bars or bands,
stranded twisted cables, woven stran-
ed ribbons or hollow twisted cables?
Any of these forms may properly be
used. AS conductors should, as far
as possible, be put up in long con-
tinuous pieces, solid rods are often
difiicult to handle, and stranded cables