Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-11

abroad in that you yourself the doubtful
honor of being the most tempting mark in sight
The of the plain is strikingly shown in
the annual deaths of scores of sheep herders Wnom
the tnunderbolts hurl to unrecorded doom on the
treeless mesas of the west. AS the only speck Tor
miles around that rises slightly above the gen.
era hatness they present the natural point for the
stranng electrical connection between earth ana clou
to break through These nave maxim for use
in thundersorms that is interesting, though the
scientists have apparently never deduced tact:
Investigations. Their principle is: When seeking
safety slow. To your horse across the plain
toward the sheltering timber is to invite destruction
Contrary current belief, the place out of
doors to seek during thunderstorm the thick tim
ber There many possible points for the bolt to
strike that the chance selecting any particuARR
of them is correspondingly small. Select some
unassuming little in midst of dense growth
with taller trees close but not too Close and you are
as secure you can get without house to shelter
you.
You should remember that a wire fence is always
danger spot in timber The flash may strike
the at a point a quarter of a mile away
along the wire until it finds path for
joining the earth. Cattle standing by a fence have
been killed by bolt that struck hundred yards
In the west dozen poles of a rural telephone
line have been split to splinters by the bolt
which skipped along the wire from pole to pole.
1t is worth noting that the danger from lightning
is almost entirely rural danger. compensation
the hazards rising from and trolleys city
jewellers are largely exempt from death from the
clouds Life insurance statistics that the per-
centage of deaths by lightning among their urban
accident risks is negligible even better
index than insurance records blows of lightning
The bureau of standards, which conducted
cation before referred finds that 1912
hres In every hundred in Illinois started by light
ming, but in embracing the city of Chicago
only fire in zoo the same cause
Nne-tenths of the fatalities from lightning occur
rural districts.
Lightning a of fire plays far larger part
than in the destruction of human life. There is
property about 100000 in the United
States due to lightning Most of this loss occurs
districts especially states which ricl,
thiclysettled farming region with few large cities
The lightning rod properly installed very
efficient in preventing damage from thunderbolts Here
in the United States are prone to regard the rod
with suspicion, due probably to sad national
experience with lightning rod agents In Europe, how
ever installation regarded greater serious
ness and is treated respectfully. The
has investigated all available evidence and
concludes that taking rods they in the general
rum they reduce the fire risk so to 80 in the
of houses, and much 80 cent in the
of barns.
Regarded purely business proposition, ques-
ton of whether a barn or other building should be
rodded be settled by balancing the of in
stalling protective system against carry
ing insurance the property. In many locations
property be insured against lightning at very
low premium On the other hand. some farmers in
companies urge their policy-hoders put up
rods, supply the materials at cost, and sometimes
refuse to insure non-rodded outbuildngs. What
probably decides most people for against such
sallations is the element of personal security
feel uneasy during thunder storm they install rod
There is often much useless anxiety felt by the
timid lightning begins to play. Not all sorts OF
lightning are dangerous. The heat-ghtning that
hickers in the sky is only reflection Of
PARKWAY storm The flashes that run along the hori
ION accompanied thunder that mutters and rumbles
of crashing may be admired in perfect security
,oaiaI
is usually harmless But when the clouds bank
sullenly black against the of the wind, the
light fades luminous gloom, tense stiffness
comes over atmosphere and great silver OF
fire begin up and down the heavens. then the
gods play and it is time for the innocent by
stander step sideways.