Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-07
WEATHER BUREAU
AVERTS DAMAGES
Government Department Offers To-
operation as Valuable Angle OF
Conservation.
LOCAL OFFICE All YOUR SERVICE
Mr.. Sherier Points Easy Method OF
Getting Protection Against
impending Changes.

United States Department OF Agri-
culture, Weather Bureau, Davenport
Iowa. Nov. 3.-In view of the existing
need for the conservation Of food pro-
ducts. and with the approach OF the
winter season, special attention has
been invited by the chief Of the United
States weather bureau TO the great
saving that may b. accomplished IN
connection with the protection Of per
ishabie food ana other products from
injury or destruction by unfavorable
weather conditions, and particularly
By freezing temperatures during trans
portation, 1t Is well known that I'M
mense losses are occasioned every
year that might with proper precau-
tons have been avoided
Forecasts of the lowest b. tempera-
lures that may be looked for during
the following night are ready for dis
tribution at about 9 O'Clock each fore
noon and may be obtained by tele-
phone from the weather bureau office
Shippers forecasts, containing advlees
as to the lowest temperatures to be
expected during the next Sc hours, are
already being mailed to railway COM
panies, commission merchants, whole
sale grocers, and others engaged in
transporting and handling articles
that may be inturiously affected dur
ing cold weather. In some cases,
however, it is impracticable, by this
means of distribution, 10 reach the
recipients in time for the information
to be of the greatest value. Personal
advices by telephone may always be
had Immediately after the forecasts
are completed by calling the local Of
! fee of the weather bureau, whose
! telephone is Davenport No. 1I2.
, Cold wave warnings and warnings
of heavy SHOWS have for many years
/ been supplied TO a large list OF adj
| dresses. But forecasts of such ex-
IRENE conditions are frequently based
upon reports received in the evening
and on Sundays and holidays, &hen
! business houses are closed and salts
| factory dissemination by ordinary
methods is out of the question Any
person whose interests will be affect
ed by such weather changes viii b.
added TO the emergency list already
on hand if he will furnish the weather
bureau Office with the telephone ad
dress at which he may be reached OF
such occasions
The following illustrations shown!
the special benefits derived from re
ports and warnings are given in !
pamphlet entitled The Weather Blu
reau" (l915l. page 81 to Al:
The railway and transportation
/ companies make continued use of In
forecasts in all of their shipments
Perishable products are protectet
against temperature extremes by icin
or heating, as conditions may require
Oftentimes shipments of perishahl
goods are accelerated when it
found possible 10 carry them TO thei
destination in advance of The axpecte
unfavorabIe temperature condition:
When this can not he accomplished
goods enroute are run into round
houses for protection. An adyane
notice of cold wave will also ofte
hold up contemplated shipment III
til after the freeze has passed, and
: the cold is protracted the companie
will refuse TO receive consignments {
goods likely to be injured by low ten
peratures These precautions apply j
some instances to prospective ten
perature changes within comparative
ly narrow limits, Bananas, for e.
ample, require very careful handlin
aud must be kept at a temperature
5S to 90 degrees during shipment. as
temperature below SIS degrees chill
the fruit sufficiently to cause a detel
ioration in quality. while a temper;
ture above 65 inside the car will DR..
duce overripening. AS bananas &c,
crate heat rapidly after being place
in the car, the problem of maintainir
the requisite temperature becomes
Y delicate one, involving careful vent
i lat1on and study of actual and g,
pected temperature conditions alor
the entire line of transit.
Il Applies to Many Shipments.
it Similar precautions, based on Ii
l. information of the daily forecasts al
supplemented by study of the dai
weather map, apply to shipments
e vegetables. fruits. eggs and other DIT
It ducts liable to damage from extren,
y of temperature. On the other han
lmost meats are best shipped in co