Moore, Frank 1972, 1983, 1987

Hail suppression program in Plainview in the 1950s cited. Reveals origin of interest in weather modification. Traces origin of Plains Weather Improvement Association. Cost of the hail suppression program reviewed. Progress and setbacks of the program discussed. Describes organization of opposition to the hail suppression program. Comments on state regulation of weather modification programs. Techniques of hail suppression discussed. Claims of cloud seeding’s effect on tornadoes. Reference to opposition referendum

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Frank Moore

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: July 12, 1972; June 7, 1983; January 14, 1987

Location: Plainview, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend and Richard Mason

Length: 3 hours

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Character of the opposition recalled, Analogous nature of hail suppression and rain stimulation explained, Denies relationship between cloud seeding and drought, Speculation on insurance rates and future of weather modification science, Contrast made between government and private control, Preference for state over federal regulation expressed, Speculation on the future of weather modification’s contribution to Plains water needs, States attitude toward the opposition, Fear of opposition referendum recalled, Kress confrontation described.

Tape 1, Side 2: Frank Moore, president and organizer of the Plains, Weather Improvement Association for hail suppression in Hale County, discusses the hail suppression program. He also discusses grain sorghum, legislation and the Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

Tape 2, Side 1: Experimental program, 1951-52, Set-up, Success, New program begun, 1970, Choice of Atmospherics, Incorporated, Other programs operated, Particulars of setting up program, Types of clouds, Analysis of cloud, Cloud seeding, Dangers, Aircraft used in cloud seeding, Reception of program, Choosing territory to be covered, Analysis of cloud (again), Rains, Seeded clouds, Unseeded clouds, Readiness, Pilots, Training and experience, Flares used, Rotating clouds, Results of program, Participants in the program, Cost of operation, Source of funding.

Tape 2, Side 2: Funding (continued), Ending of cloud seeding program, Modification of tornado clouds, Opposition to program, Arguments, State policy toward weather modification, Radar operators, Sudan’s program, Opposition (again), Revocation of license, Kent Hance and Doug Clayton, Contributors to killing of program, Politicians, Water conservation, Zenith Agri-products, Incorporated, Source of information, Isolation of chemicals, Development of application method, Use of Spray-Lite, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Corn, Water conserved, Cost.

Tape 3, Side 1: High Plains Underground Water District, Zenith Agri-products (again), Urban application, Water required by various crops, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Corn, Response to Spray-Lite, Marketing arrangements, Chemical make-up of Spray-Lite, Record keeping, Experimentation and results, High Plains Research Foundation, Founding, Purpose, Texas Research Foundation, Success.

Tape 3, Side 2: Individual vs. organized initiative, Major contributions of High Plains Research Foundation, Hybrid grain sorghum, Recharge wells, Billie Sol Estes, Ammonia use.

Tape 4, Side 1: Grain Sorghum Producers Association, Organization (1955), Circumstances, Legislation, Goals, Founders, Bill Lane, TV announcer, R. T. Taylor of Hereford, Texas, A. W. Hathing of Friona, Texas, Sam Hildreth of Dimmitt, Texas, Bob Francy, First legislation (1956), Lobbying, Democratic convention, Washington, D.C., Senator Price Daniel, Representative Walter Rogers, Representative George Mahon, Representative Marvin Jones, Organizational structure, Budget, Sources, Frank Moore, Presidency (1959-1963), Projects, Export markets, Japanese visitors, High Plains Research Foundation, Fertilizer, Anhydrouds Ammonia, Financing, Grain sorghum/cotton, Strippers, Producers, Goals, Farm Bill (1961), Price supports, Allotments, Late rains.

Tape 4, Side 2: Land allotments, Billie Sol Estes, Moore (again), Investigations, Reasons, Sorghum, Prices, 1973, 1974 and 1975, Expenses, High fuel costs, Inflation.

Range Dates: 1951-1987

Bulk Dates: 1951-1970s

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

---

Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.