The Chemawa American, October 29, 1919, Page 4, Image 4

THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
PAGE 4
U NU SUA L PARAGRAPHS
KITE-FLYING DANGEROUS
The newspapers several weeks ago told about a man
A political speaker, warning the public against the
imposition of heavier tariffs on imports, said: “ If you at Scranton, Pa., who was killed by a current of atmo­
don’t stop shearing the wool off the sheep that lays spheric electricity while flying a kite, The bolt shot
down over the wet string of the kite and struck him
the golden egg, you’ll pump it dry.”
in the head, causing instant death.
The department of agriculture reports that the
As every school boy knows, Benjamin Franklin,
world’s supply of cattle i$ approximately what it was pioneer American scientist, in the course of an experi­
at the outbreak of the war. Herds in western Europe mental investigation of electrical phenomena sent a
have diminished but this has been made up by gains kite up into the clouds of an approaching storm. He
in other countries. Experts aré of the »opinión that then brought his knuckle into contact with a key at­
because of lack of money in European countries ex­ tached to the kite’s string. There was a spark from
ports of meat from America will not exceed pre-war the key and a current passed through his body to the
figures.
ground.
Though Franklin did not know it at the time, he.
It is announced officially that the cost of the war in
man power to the United Stated, including losses to was taking his life in his hands in making this exper­
army and marine units on alt fronts up to Sept. 1, is iment as the upper layers of the atmosphere are al­
now estimated in round numbers as 116,500 dead and ways more or less charged with electricity, even at
205,600 wounded, or a total of of over 322,100. Of times when none of the familiar thunder-storm condi­
these 35,585 were killed in action, 14,742 died of di­ tions are noted by observers on the ground. This
sease and 8,092 of accidents and other causes, it is electricity may be readily collected by the kite string
which will then conduct it downward.
stated. None are reported missing.
Sometimes this is so strong that the fine piano wire
The revenue act states that any article ornamented used for sending large meteorological kites to great
with precious metals or imitation thereof is subject to altitudes is burned up if no provision is made for cón-
a tax. Fountain pens are thus taxable because the ducting it safely into the ground. The men engaged
pen point is made of gold. Complaints have been re­ at such work are well aware of the danger and to
ceived by the bureau of internal revenue that tobacco make their kite-flying safe they always connect the
and stationery stores were selling cigarette caSes, pen­ reel carrying the wire to some metallic body burried
cils, buckles, purses, watches, opera glasses, etc., deep in the earth where the soil is always moist.
without collecting the tax. The bureau gives warning They also avoid getting.wet while doing such work
that these articles are taxable.
atid are constantly on their guard against touching
Illiteracy in rural sections of Kentucky is rapidly the wire. Usually there is a constant flow of current
disappearing as a result mainly of moonlight schools over the wire to the earth; even on fair, cloudless days
which have been conducted in various parts of the high voltage currents are not unusual.
In the light of present knowledge of atmospheric
state during the past few years. According to the
1910 census Kentucky ranked fourth in the union in electricity it seems almost a miracle that Franklin es­
illiteracy. Today illiteracy in the state is nearing the caped unhurt. Ordinarily there is little danger in
zero point. The first moonlight school started in flying the little kites such as boys make for them­
Rowan county in 1912. Over 1200 adults attended selves but these are extremely dangerous during elec­
the opening session. Since then the movement has trical storms, especialy if the string is wet. Whether
spread into other states with benefit to many thousands one flies a kite for amusement or in the interest óf
science hé should always keep on dry ground and
of grown people.
avoid touching a wet string. Where a wire is, used
Nearly a year ago the steamship Port Hunter, car­ for the kite it is imperative that provisions be made
rying about $5,000,000 worth of army supplies, was for grounding it properly^|,
sunk off the coast of Massachusetts in vineyard sound.
When salvaging operations began it was discovered
“ it gives me great pleasure, O’Connor, to pin this
that only about $3,000,000 worth of the supplies medal on your breast,” said the commander, “ and
could be found, A congressional committee was ap­ tell, you that l am also placing $25 to your credit in
pointed to investigate the loss. The officer in charge
was examined but he declared that no-one knew where the bank.”
“ Thank ve, sorr,” said the private. “ But, sorr—”
the missing goods had gone. The only solution he
“ Yes?”
had to offer was that practically everyone in the
“ If ye wouldn’t mind now, sorr,” asked O'Connor,
vicinity had visited the wreck and it might be that
some of these people could shed a little light on the “ couldn’t ye pin the $25 on me breast and put the
medal in the bank?”
matter.