Evening star., 1932-03-20


NM years of drought that preceded
" " it, give any basis for relief that
this may be the forerunner of
an increasing aridity? These are the type OF
baff1ing questions that the scientists are asking
one another and that one yet seems to
know the correct answer for as they scan the
conflicting weather reports Of a dozen diff
ferent nations, and wonder whether there may
be some profound significance in the news
that many of the very deepest wells of the
countries in and around Virginia and Mary
land are reported bone-dry for the first
time in generation.
One of the most popular OF the theories as
to the cause Of this startling change In the
climatic habits of a continent, has been That
of the gulf stream, whose currents said
to have approached nearer than ever before
these Eastern States. Unhappily this theory
affords us no clue as to the cause OF the tre-
mendous SHOWS that have suddenly shifted to
areas in and near Kansas and Colorado as
well as to many new sections of Southeastern
Euresse. Prague, for example, announced by
cables the rescue of trains filled with pas
sengers after expeditions went out to dig them
free from the driving blizzardS Yet the ira
ditional home of both snow and ice, Moscow,
Russia, is said to be enjoying climate fully
equal to that of the mildness OF Bournmouth,
In England.
Uncle Joe Cannon once stated that he felt
that a great deal of the bad weather we had
experienced in America was due to the sun,
and that it ought to be investigated" Many
distinguished astronomers have since agreed
with him, and have almost devoted their lives
to the study of solar radiation and the knotty
problem of "sun spots" many notables In
the world of science now believe that this
theory, rather than almost any other, is chiefly
responsible, for the many vagaries of the
weather of the world.
A third theory, and one that is still very
nebulous and unstable in all directions, is
that of the possible results of the combined
volcanic eruption and the earthquakes that
accompanied the terrific unheaval of Mount
Katmai in the Aleutian Peninsula some years
ago. This particular theory certainly has
very reasonable sound to it, as it suggests that
since we do not know, and up to the present,
have no way of knowing. the extent to which
that mighty quake has altered the vast deeps
of the Pacific, we are as yet unable to appreci-
ate the damage that have been effected to the
areas in and near the volcano.
we do know that very startling change
took place on the surface of the earth itself.
That rocks and lava were thrown for many
miles and that fumes Of the sulphurous dis
charge were noticeable across the Pacific Tor
thousands of miles. And that it is more than
probable that complete an alteration was
effected in the hidden deeps of the sea, as we
have seen to be effected ON land. Thus it is
felt by some scientists that this great shifting
may have caused these Polar storms to go out
to sea- rather than inland, because their former
air route was blocked or cut off by the tre-
mendous changes that resulted with the up
heaval of this volcano.
This explanation affords excellent reason
for the absence Of blizzards in the East and
the presence of them through new areas In
the West. Certainly in the last few years,
the mighty snowstorms that formerly swung
around through the Mississippi Valley to the
Gulf and later formed a warm Winter blanket
of moisture and nourishment to the forests
and pastures of the Atlantic Coast States seem
to have vanished forever. But the unexpected
arrival of driving blizzards in the South
western States suggests that these are the
~rnissine storms from Alaska travelling down
across the continent at a different angle.
THIS year marks the hftieth anniversary OF
u the expedition headed by Gen. A. w.
greely. that was lost in the Arctic. at Fort
conssr, Only six Of the original party re-
turned to tell the story of that first survey OF
the Polar weather in 1881, and this Nation
is to be again represented in the International
Polar wear. when Capt. F1avel Williams con-
ducts an expedition next August for the OBJ
servations of important meteorological and
radio data from the Arctic, in conjunction
with other scientific groups In the Antarcuc
and elsewhere Twenty-eight of the great
powers are participating in this intensive drive
tsnan6ormation as to the source of storms and
the origin and melting of ice foes and kindred
Investigations Some of these studies are