Page 123 - James Rodger Fleming - Fixing the sky

The fiasco ended in a dramatic Webb County Commissioners Court meet-
ing in December 2003 during which Judge Louis Bruni aggressively and
embarrassingly supported funding. He was voted down by the county commis-
sioners because of the overwhelming rejection of the project from their voter
constituency, largely brought about by Heatwave’s investigations. A local maga-
zine, Laredos, summarized the mood of the meeting: “While the early minutes
of the meeting were glossed by a thin patina of civility, the proceedings quickly
degenerated into a side show of blatant disdain, sarcasm, chicanery, the rearing
of ugly heads, a couple of juggling acts, patronizing platitudes, and for some on
the sidelines of county government, incredulity that public leaders conducted
county business in this manner.” Humble Heatwave Berler had stood up to and
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defeated the rainmakers, saving the county and the region millions of dollars and
further embarrassment.

* * * * *

Hail shooting to protect a crop and rainmaking in times of drought are usually
considered to be desperate acts by desperate people. But there are other dimen-
sions, both cultural and psychological. one is the solidarity of a community
trying to do something, anything, to augment Providence. Another is the sheer
entertainment value of a traveling rainmaker’s entourage coming to town with its
mysteries, loud fireworks, and showmanship. Many times, people do both: pray
and hire a rainmaker. Charles Hatfield undoubtedly turned a profit by work-
ing with the moist air masses provided by nature and predicted by the weather
bureau. John Stingo and George Sykes combined climatology, handicapping,
and complicated apparatus in executing their confidence game. They, like Clin-
ton Jewell and others, kept their secret techniques under close wraps. others, like
Frank Melbourne, made their money by selling their secrets as a kind of franchise
operation to the highest bidders.
Common traits of successful charlatans include seeking financial gain by
taking credit for natural rains. Little to no capital and no business training are
needed. A sense of ethical responsibility or long-term engagement with a com-
munity may be detrimental. Use of the latest technologies, juxtaposed in odd and
mysterious ways with claims of esoteric knowledge, and recitation of a scientific
mantra also seem to help.
Practicing meteorologists were uniform in their criticism of rainmaking
and hail shooting. In 1895 meteorologist Alexander McAdie wrote: “Rainmak-
ers of our time bang and thrash the air, hoping to cause rain by concussion.
They may well be compared to impatient children hammering on reservoirs in

106 | rain fakerS