The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-11-20
HAS THE RAINMAkER COME AT
LAST
christian Science MOnitOr)

christian Science MOnitOr)
Throughout the ages mankind has
sought out ways by which the wealth
err might in some degree be controll-
ed or regulated. Especially keen has
been the quest of the rainmaker. He
has rcsorted to incantations, to the
use Of socalled charms, and to what,
in the estimation Of the superstitious,
have been cruder and no less inef-
fectivc material methods in his eff
fort to wiring moisture from obdur-
ate clouds. As industriously, though
| perhaps less persstently, have 9th
ers sought ways by which fair wealth
or might be produced. Now comes
the "cloud- shooter" who instead Of
| attacking from beneath, as formerly,
utilities the modern devices which
have been provided to aid him and
claims to be able to "shoot down"
and scatter lowering banks Of fog ut
will.
1t is admitted by those who have
been conducting the experiments, the
most recent of which was over Boil
ing Field, Washington, D. c., that
they have succeeded merely in prov
ing, on a limited scale, the practical
bilty of theory long maintained.
In the language Of DR.. l.. Francis
Warren of Harvard University, who
devised the process employed, the
proved success Of the experiment
means that celestial epoch has
been reached in the affairs Of man.
He presents this hopeful forecast:
Commercial rainmaking now lies
within the grasp Of man and he can
employ to this end one of natures
cheapest commodities, namely COM
mon or garden silica, at a cost of
about So ton, which, outside of
maintaining the equipment and oper-
ating the planes, will be the only
charge"
The possibilities are alluring. Not
only the ranchman and orchardist in
the semi-arid regions of the western
sections of the United States, but the
farmer in the middle west, in the
south, or in New England, may dream
Of the early dawn of that day when
he can water his land as he chooses,
forcing down moisture when it is
needed, and even dispelling it, it
seems, when rainfall would be un-
desirable. But will neighbors all
agree as to just what particular
brand of weather they should have?I
Men have been known to differ con-
corning far less vital matters. So
now, it may be, there will be divi-
sions and blocs, composed on one side
of those who want rain for their
corn, and on the other side of those
who want fair weather for their hay.
In the city there will be those, per-
nickers' League, or Fair Weather
Party, demanding that fog and rain
clouds be dispersed, while those COM
prising the League Of Back Yard
Gardeners insist that the clouds be
"shot" for rain. Who shall decide?
1t has been estimated that dense
fog costs the city of London approx
mately $5,00O,000 day. Only slight
ly less Inconvenience and expense is
said to result from such visitations
in New York City and its Immediate
vicinity. Estimating the area affect
ed as III square miles, or thereabout.
in both cases, it is claimed that two
properly equipped airplanes would be
able to dissipate the clouds by the
method devised. If by the same pro-
cess rain could be made to fall album
dainty upon similar areas of corn
fields, gardens or orchards where it
is needed, surely the accomplishment
would be great. That person must
be courageous who is ready to scott
at or doubt such a possibility. We
have all laughed at the claims of the
rainmakers and the mysterious meth
DDS they employed in attempting to
work their charms. But out Of the
fog Of superstition, by methods as
sensible and as sound as those en-
ployed by the practical rainmaker of
today, there has come a clearer vi
sion of that dominion over all the
earth which has been promised, and
which man is learning to claim and
enjoy.