The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-07-21
DOES EUROPE'S WAR
FIX OUR CLIMATE?
Opinions Differ On This Pc
culiar Quetion-Author-
ity Says No.

CHICAO. July 21.-Has the war IN
Europe-the terrific cannonading that
has rent the heavens-been the cause
Of the unusual amount OF rain that
has fallen over the United States since
the first OF Nay?
Prof. Henry ]. Cox Of the United
States weather bureau points out that
the precipitation from May 1st 10 the
middle of July has been S.45 greater
than the precipitation during the same
period last year.
These figures take on added signiG
canoe when it Is recalled that kitch-
ener. England's secretary Of war. said
some time ago that he couldn't tell
when the war would end but he did
know that the war-the real heaN"
fighting and acknowledgements be
gin May l.
Has the terrible bombardment OF
big guns. such as the Germans now
famo"T 42.centimeter guns, resulted
in the heavy wetting this country has
recently undergone. The fall OF rain
since it set in in earnest in May has
been remarkably unusual. the prectp'
itation to date being sos above the
normal figure.
For years weather "sharps" have
quarrelled over the theory that heavy
explosions bring rain from the skies.
A number of scientific men have
backed up the theory with experl.
ments which they said proved It be.
yond a doubt
They claim that the conclusion
caused by terrific bombardmentS
caused clouds heavily charged with
moisture to "let go and rain results.
They also declare that the conclusion
has a tendency to alter the course of
various air currents and that conden-
sation and rain follow the unusual
mingling OF the different currents.
Others scoffed at the theories point.
ing out that rain is the result OF &C.
tive condemnation OF moisture in the
atmosphere and is purely question OF
humidity and temperature. II the hui
mildly Is increased or the temperature
lowered to sufficient degree then
condensation follows and fall of rain
results.
At various times in different parts
OF the world experiments have been
made to try and bring about a fall OF
rain by discharging large amounts OF
various explosives or by discharging
cannon.
One Of the first official" lombard
ments of the skies in this country was
made near Washington. D. c.. on the
night OF November 2. 1892 Rain re-
suited but observers could not agree
that the explosives brought the show.
ers as they we're stationed at different
stations.
Some years later Gen. Dyrenforth
tried It in Texas but the only effect
observed was the fall Of few scat.
tered drops.
In 1911 Charles ". Post OF Michi.
gan revived interest in the matter by
conducting experiments on his ranch
in Texas. Tons of explosives were
used to dynamite the clouds" and az
ter. several hundred charges had been
fired hit and miss. as cannon would
be fired in battle, light shower re.
suited. The next time some 1900
charges were set OF and a heavy all
night rain followed.
In 1909 extensive experiments were
carried out In certain country dis,
tricts in France and It was reported
that by the use of specially construct.
ed q cannon" rain was brought about
PERSONALLY. I don't think the war,
while it has muddled up nearly every
thing else. has so far been able to in
terfere with the elements themselves"
declares Prot Cox. Heavy lombard.
ments may produce rain. some claim
1t IS true, but don't put much stock
In IT,