Evening journal., 1916-08-30
Want MORE WARNING
/. If STORMS APPROACH
Lawyer Capitalist Says Early
Word Would Save Lives
and Property
ASKS INVESTIGATION
OF WEATHER BUREAU

BIRMINGHAM. Ala. Aug. &c.
Representing extensive interests in
Mobile, and rejecting to a large OK
tent public sentiment along the Gulf
Coast, Frederick e. Bromberg, a lead
ing lawyer aud capitalist of Mobile,
has instituted. through Alabama rep
resentatives in Congress. investigation
30 learn why the Government Weather
Bureau fails to give sufficient warn
ing Of the approach OF destructive
storms on the coast such as those that
brought death TO many people and did
millions OF dollars in damage this sum-
mer.
In a letter TO Senator Bankhead OF
Alabama demanding investigation of
alleged neglect of duty. Bromberg
says the hurricane signal was hoisted
at Mobile at 10 a. m. on July 3. and
two hours later the wind was roaring
At p. m. just FIVE hours after the
first danger signals appeared, the wind
had reached a velocity OF l07 miles
an hour. leaving death and destruc-
ton in its wake.
Beaten by Ship Captain.
Many complaints have been made
, along the Gulf Coast on similar
grounds. Bromberg insists that Sem
ator Bankhead and other Alabama rep
resentatives in Congress get data from
the Weather Bureau relative to the
approach of these dangerous storms
and give the same 10 the people OF the
Gulf Coast in time for them TO make
preparation. He says that proper
warnings can be and have been given.
Il remember" he says, that par
i ties in the lumber business in Mobile
in 1906 had private advices from Cap
tains on their vessels in Cuba OF the
i great storm Of September 20. 1906.
more than a week before any warn
ing was given in Mobile by the Gov
| eminent If the Weather Bureau had
a regulated system Of correspondents
in Cuba and the West India Islands.
the absence of any warning Of such
a storm as struck us July would
not be duplicated"
Bromberg further declares. Incl
dent to the general impression along
the Gulf Coast, that had sufficient
warning Of the terrible hurricane
been given by the Government. many
lives might have been saved and
much maritime property better pro-
tected. He declares there is serious
defect in the service thaS- ought IA
be remedied and expresses belief that
the deficiency lies in imperfection'
of observing stations in the Wesi
Indies Without exception, he says
p these storms that viciously attach
: the Gulf Coast originate in the Carl
j bean Sea, and the radius Of curvatur
r their path will take and their dlrec
{ ton from the original point are
, matter OF chance.
! Course Of Storms Known.
I II is automatically determined. h
I adds, that all these storms that star
= in the tropics revolve against tn
r hands OF a clock and proceed in
: northwesterly direction. Sometime
the curvature leads the storm to strik
the Yucatan Channel and the Mexican
coast. At other times il will pas
more directly over Cuba and strik
, the Gulf Coast anywhere between tn
,, Rio Grande and the Capes OF FloridS
Senator Bankhead is investigator
the complaints from the Gulf Coas
TO ascertain whether the fault lay Il
the Washinfton Weather Bureau o
in its system OF correspondents in tn
4 proximity OF the Caribbean See. BE
. cause of the tremendous loss of lii
y and enormous property damag
e wrought by these tropical hurricane
d in the last year or so. the people q
the Gulf Coast are worked up to tn
I need for the most accurate forewarr
Z ings possible. They say tropical hur
s ricanes are growing more numerous
o and that their only protection lies |
|. trustworthy and prompt warning
T from the Government Weather Blu
reau