Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17
WILD SCHEMES TO BRING RAIN
POUR INTO WEATHER BUREAU
Radio, Airplanes and Vengeance of Lord
for Wickedness of Nation Are Blamed
for Drought in Daily Letters

from the surface of the earth and was
about ready to let it go in the form OF
rain. Rain usually followed battles be-
cause the best time to fight was also the
time when conditions were most favor
able to produce rain.
Noise Theory Declared Failure.
Unfortunately for the noise advocates
and contrary to the general impress
sion, 1t is explained. the theory failed
in the noisiest of all warS--the World
War. True, there was lots of wet
weather in Northern France, especially
from the viewpoint Of American troops
unaccustomed to a wet climate. But
one year was exceptionally dry and
careful studies by both French and
British meteorologists of the relations
of artillery fire to rain showed no rela-
ton at all. There was little open ma
neuvering-So battles did not have to
wait on the weather as in past wars.
The noise-rain idea is ancient in
human thought. Savage magicians,
trying to make rain, beat on a drum to
initiate thunder, with the idea that the
elements will accept the suggestion.
The survival of the concept in modern
thought seems due, meteorologists say
to a statistical coincidence. There
simply is no reason why noise should
make rain.
Then come the letters from those
who think radio broadcasting has
something to do with 1t. But. DR..
Humphreys says, this can have no
physical effect on the atmosphere which
could in any way affect the production
of rain. Some of the letters are worded
in seemingly scientific language, but
very few of them show any basic under
standing, either of radio or of rain.
Mysteries Connected in Mind.
The connection of rain and radio,
the meterologists say. is essentially a
return to the pre-scientific argument
by proximity. The mind has tend
ency to connect unusual, mysterious
things near each other in place Or
time The drought is a myStery-to
many a manifestation of supernatural
displeasure. Radio also, to thousands of
persons, is a mystery, with its behavior
partaking of the supernatural. 1t is
the most astounding new thing" in
the world, so 1t is natural to attribute
to it far greater potentialities than 1t
really has. Thus, through q fJnda-
mental but fallacious process of think
ing, radio and dry weather are tied to-
gether. A few years ago. it is ex-
planned at the Weather Bureau, pro-
longed dry weather used to be accom-
panied by letters attr!buting it to mys-
terious functions Of high-power lines.
Now these are old enough to be ia
miliar They have lost their super
natural attributes. But some still be-
lieve that the drought is connected In
some fashion with airplanes.
There are frequent suggestions of ma
tional days OF prayer-the potency of
which, of course. is quite outside the
yNr,uiynea ~ tina Uaatl1ar Grraau IF iS
concerned only with the physical and
chemical completes of cause and effect
which enter into weather phenomena
and cannot speculate on the possible
setting aside of natural laws.
Possible Scheme Overlooked.
Thus far, says DR.. Humphreys, no.
body apparently has thought about the
one way of manipulating nature which
might really produce rain-by pro-
ducing tremendous conflagration such
as would destroy a great city or an enor-
nous area of the countryside. Even
the largest forest fires now raging are
too feeble to produce any real effect.
But when there is a high humidity
forest fires do cause clouds and, in
conceivable circumstances, actual rain.
The idea is to get enough warm air
rising from the surface of the earth. Be-
sides, the combustion Of wood releases
a certain amount of moisture in the
atmosphere. Enough warm air going up
with enough moisture in 1t might turn
the trick.
But most people think the earth is
burning up fast enough as 1t Is.
Besides, this method doesn't Mt into
the thought process of initiative magic
which would associate flre with dry
weather instead OF wet.
ic letters from
persons who think radio and other
tangled" inventions may have
something to do with the drought, just
received by The Star:
"Since a few months past have
developed the fantastic theory that the
development of radio saps the strength
of the hydrogen. and the constant use
of automobiles and flying machines
throwing of carbon monoxide disturbs
working in conjunction, make dis
proportion of atomical component gases,
argon, heliunl, neon, kripton and carbon
dioxide. These conditions cause lack
of ether lessening the precipitation OF
water, hence dry heat"
All this, the experts say, means about
as much to them as to the ordinary
reader-that is, nothing.
Electrical Theory ExpOunded.
Saws another letter writer: IAN stu
dents of matters electrical know that
electricity may be produced and used,
but cannot be destroyed; that once
used it is lost by process of emana-
ton: that the radio activity of the
suns rays is electrical. 1t Is also q
matter OF common knowledge that rain
rises from the earth as vapor and by
reason of the GOODNESS of the upper
strata of the atmosphere is condensed
to LIQUID, and, becoming too weighty. OF
a necessity falls back to earth. Every
sound from the numerous broadcaSttng
stations is sent forth by electrical vibra-
ton, thus further electrifying the at
mosphere until 1t Is now so pregnant
with electricity, which is intensified
heat, that the rising vapors cannot ind
above q sufficient degree Of GOODNESS to
condense. Let the authorities order all
unnecessary broadcasting discontinued
for a period of two weeks. Before the
expiration of that period you will find
lower temperatures and plenteous rain"
A correspondent of The Star afarms
his belief that only prayer will bring
rain, but the congregations gathering
all over the drought area for prayer
make him wonder. 1t is well enough.
he says, to turn to the Lord in trouble,
but who ever heard OF such meetings
to thank Him for His bounty in years
when there was plenty Of rain.
halt d. nF