Omaha daily bee., 1921-05-16
Wires Put
.OutOfOrder
By Aurora
Practically Every Telegraph
And Telephone Line Into
Omaha Rendered Useless
By ''Northern Lights.
Unusual Display Visible

Practically every telegraph and tel
ephone wire leading into Omaha and
the radio station at the aerial mail
field, as we'll as private radio stG-
tions, were rendered useless Satur-
day afternoon and night because
OF the unusual activity of the aurora
borealis and its accompanying earth
currents, which became active early
Saturday afternoon and continued
during the night. Wire experts said
that the activities might continue for
another day.
This electric phenomenon is unus-
ual at this time of the year, accord
ing to scientists, the aurora borealis
or northern lights" being more
common in late autumn and winter.
The unusual brightness and activity
of the northern lights" have not
been known in this vicinity for many
years. 1t is said that the unusual
cold weather prevalent for the last
week is responsible.
All Wires Out of Order.
The wire chief or chief trouble
shooter" in charge of the long dis
tance telephone and telegraph wires
at the telephone building said last
night that practically every wire
coming into Omaha was out of
order and that there had been
trouble all Saturday.
With them it was a futile battle
to attempt to overcome the earth
currents accompanying the electric
display in the heavens.
Wire troubles were complicated
as the earth currents were of
''jumpy" nature, being strong for a
period and then growing weaker,
but soon regaining their former
strength.
Messages Delayed.
Disturbances on the Western
Union wires were felt at 4 p. m.
Saturday, the earth currents defect
ing all operation. All messages were
accepted subject to delay because of
the impossibility to make any head
way against the earth currents. Ac-
cording to Western Union wire men
this was the longest consecutive dis
turbance on record in Omaha.
Through lines to Chicago over the
Postal wires were down" after 9
p. m. Because of the intermittent
disturbances, operators were unable
to send out or receive messages.
News wires of the Associated
Press experienced trouble at 4
p. n,.. which continued until later in
the night, when they were rendered
useless entirely. Very little news of
the outside world was received after
10 p. m.
The wireless station at the aerial
mail field was closed at 2 p. m. be-
cause of the static electricity while
owners Of private radio stations re-
ported the same troubles.
Lights Visible.
The northern lights" became visi-
Bile soon after sundown and became
more vivid and active as the night
grew darker. At 9 p. m. the flights"
were in their zenith and filtered down
in great streams, resembling the
bursting of a giant star shell.
These great streams of light va
ried from a light green, to pearl
gray and at times the skies were al
most an emerald green.
Resemble Search Light.
They resembled, during their ac-
tivity, the rays of a great search
light being flashed across the skies.
When residents of Omaha became
aware of the activity and beauty of
the aerial electric display, they gath
cred on their porches and in their
yards to watch.
According to an old superstition
long observed in vicinities where
northern lights" are common, when
the rays cover the heavens and the
descending beams are very active,
pleasant weather is sure to follow.
Should the old superstition hold
true, Nebraska will be visited by
clear, fair weather very soon.