Evening star., 1936-10-18
Phenomena of the
Dust Storms
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

newspaper readers who have not been
in the area and experienced them or
seen their results have been inclined TO
doubt the complete accuracy Of some Of
the tales. The tendency OF tellers Of
nature stories is well known and the
temptation has been substantial.
The doubts of the dubious may be set
at rest as to many of the statements
which have appeared, and some fresh
stories furnished, by a comprehensive
survey which has just come from the
United States Weather Bureau. Scien-
fists, particularly scientists of the Fed
eral Government, are the most cautious
people in the world. They abhor over
statements. They do not make any state
mentS at all without the fullest investi-
cation. In this new report, prepared
by H. F. Choun of the bureau, are dust
storm observations which can be relied
on as official.
Probably the dWeller in London can
understand the experience Of the Dust
Bowl residents better than most stran-
gers, for the extent to which pea soup
fog in the British metropolis obscures
visibility is well known to them. But
true dust storm is worse than any Lon
don fog. One report for example noting
the progress of storm reported that
visibility was reduced to 25 feet. Then
it was reduced to 10 feet. Then it was
reduced to zero, and when the Weather
Bureau says zero it means zero. That
is. there was no visibility at all. Even
brilliant lights could not be seen more
than few feet. Moreover while Lon
don fog may be uncomfortable. it cannot
be compared with dust storm, because
the fog is not saturated with millions of
abrasive particles.
Nor does a fog cause death from con-
gestion of the lungs with dust particles.
Not only have there been casualties
among human beings. but. the official
report says. dead stock lying along the
roads is a common sight.
An interesting aspect is the effect Of
dust storms on automobiles. The par
ticles of dust. flying through the air and
rubbing against each other. have created
high degree of static electricity to be
generated. This has had the effect Of
putting ignition systems out of commits
sion. leaving motorists stranded. After
storms have abated the ignition works
dSdIll, do LllC oGdJ4I ClCNIAANlIy lao DSElL
dissipated. But during the storms cars
have become so charged that persons
touching any metal part have been Sc
verely shocked.
Every one is familiar with the chains
which drag from the rear ends of gaso-
line tank wagons. Presumably nearly
everyone knows that the purpose of these
is to ground the electricity which friction
foI oyYnln.
sion. In the Dust Bowl the electricity
has become so bad on occasion that
drivers Of ordinary passenger cars have
had to resort to the same expedient Of
dragging chains to ground the static &C.
cumulations.
After severe dust storms or black bliz.
yards, as they sometimes are called. mo-
torists have found the paint abraded of
their cars as though by sand-blasting
apparatus. Also-and this especially
shows the fierceness of the blasts-the
glass of windshields has been pitted.
Glass is supposed to be well-nigh im-
pervious substance.
Automobiles must be equipped with
filters to be operated successfully in the
region. Mr.. Choun reports that he found
a pint of dust in his oil bath filter. AL
tomobiles not equipped with filters have
their bearings rapidly abraded.
The oncoming of a dust storm means
severe hardship to the dwellers in the
region. not only because of their loss Of
crops. but because of personal suffering
and danger. The storms have different
appearances, all unearthly and ominous.
Some appear russell in color, says the
report, some orange. some black and
some blue. One storm may take on these
colors in succession. The experienced
dwellers in the region hang wet blankets
over their doors and windows and cover
their faces with wet cloths in an effort
to escape lung congestion. In towns
schools are closed first and. as a storm
intenSifieS all activity is suspended Even
though all street lights and shop win
dow lights are turned on at high noon.
visibility is nullified.
Curious phenomena occur in the course
of these storms. Mr.. Choun reports. for
example, how in one region snowballs
fell from the sky. They were not crisp.
cleaning white SnoWballS. The snow
had come on during a dust storm. The
snow flakes mingled with the dust in
the upper air and, through the effect
of wind or for some other reason formed
into snowballs as big as small boys throw.
But they were drab, mud-colored snow
balls.
The difficulties encountered by high
way authorities have been severe. The
report mentions that snow fences built
along roadsides to keep Snowdrifts from
them in Winter have been covered by
dust. Special apparatus has been de.
viSed in some counties whereby the
fences are grappled and hoisted out OF
their dust banks, the banks then being
leveled with scrapers.
hopeful note is struck in the report,
after telling all these wonders. 1t is to
the effect that the dust storms of recent
years should not dishearten the people
and cause them to abandon their lands.
Weather Bureau records show that there
have been similar periods of drought
and similar seasons of dust storms in
the past. After them, the land was re-
turned approximately to normal and
cultivation has been resumed. A study
permanent change has taken place.
X
The occupation of much of the Dust
Bowl region began in earnest about 1885.
There was a heavy migration into the
area and farming was successful for
three or four years. Then came a dry
season. In 1894 the crop failure was