Resorts Sue Howell

Wallace E. Howell '36, research meteorologist in the Blue Hills Meteorological Observatory, and New York's rainmaker, flatly refused yesterday to make a comment concerning a set of damage suits totalling $1,500,000 in which he will be co-defendant with New York City officials.

The 117 plaintiffs, which include communities, individuals, and resort establishments in four counties charged that Howell "trespassed" on their lands "by artificially causing rain to fall upon the lands," and that he conducted his rainmaking activities "in so reckless and negligent a manner that excessive rains" caused "damage to the real and personal property owned by the plaintiff."

The complaints centered on "a violent and torrential precipitation of rain" which, it is protested, Howell knowingly, wilfully, and Intentionally caused on November 25 and 26, 1950.