APPENDIX.
ANNUAL REPORT BY WILLIS L. MOORE, CHIEF OF THE WEATHER BUREAU,
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1907.
[Dated November 7. Extract from the report of the Secretary of Agriculture for 1907.1
I have the honor to submit a report of the operations of the
Weather Bureau during the fiscal year that ended June 30,
1907.
RESEARCH AT MOUNT WEATHER.
Americans take pride in the pioneer work that Lieutenant
Maury, the naval meteorologist, did in studying the geography
of the oceans, and in the achievements of Redfield, Espy, Cof-
fin, and Loomis in the gathering of data and the discussion of
the theory of storms; all of which pioneer work by Americans
led to the establishing of a national weather service. With
the information thus acquired the United States has taken the
lead in the practical application of meteorological science,
which its own students did so niuch to discover. Until the
creation of the research observatory at Mount Weather, how-
ever, this country has been in danger of falling behind Ger-
many and France in the further development of the science
that is back of the art which is here so successfully applied.
The present may be said to rnarli an important epoch in the
development of meteorological science in this country. A re-
search observatory has been created a t Mount Weather, Va.,
and a staff of highly trained and ambitious young men has
been formed. The first important result achieved by this staff
was the sending of meteorological instruments by means of
aeroplanes to greater altitudes than has to our knowledge
been accomplished elsewhere. The observations thus obtained
have been continued for over three months in snccession, prac-
tically without interruption, and i t is probable that such record
will be niaintained indefinitely in the future.
The achievements a t this research institution now enable
the forecast official a t Washington to receive each night the
vertical gradients of temperature and the direction of the wind
for altitudes on the average from half a mile to two miles and
at times over four and one-half miles, and thus to learn some-
thing regarding the conflict of currents, their direction and
force in the upper regions. These data are of great value in
the making of forecasts for the RIiddle Atlantic and New Eng-
land States, and for the elucidation of many problems of the
upper air that heretofore it has been impossible to study.
For several years Blue Hill Observatory, near Boston, has
made a valuable study of thermal and other conditions of the
air at considerable altitudes over Boston. The Government,
with its greater facilities, is now reaching greater heights and
making a more continuous series of observations. All of the
uses to which these data mill be applied can not now be deter-
mined, but it can be definitely stated that for the first time in
the history of meteorological science a chart can be presented
to students, and especially t o the Government forecasters,
showing for each day the conditions of the atmosphere at alti-
tudes which so far have never been approached by any captive
apparatus thnt could be safely and expeditiously returned to
the hand of the observer. On October 3, 1907, the worlds
record for the securing of observations high in the air was
broken. On that day the meteorological apparatus at. Mount
Weather reached an altitude of 33,111 feet above sea level.
Heretofore, as is well known, forecasts of the weather have
been entirely based on the horizontal gradients of pressure
and temperature as measured at the surface of the earth.
The addition of a vertical chart for even one station is con-
sidered of such importance that the first two cliarts of this
nature, namely, those for the months of July and August, 1907,
are herewith produced. They so graphicall? tell the story of
the rise and fall of the thermal levels within their range that the
layman is able to comprehend their significance. It is apparent
that when a comparatively deep stratum of abnormally warm or
abnormally cold air presistently overlies a region, the action
of a nioving cyclone or anticyclone on the weather experienced
a t the bottom of the atmosphere will be materially different
from that which would be experienced were the upper air at a
normal temperature. It is also to be noted that where a re-
versal of the temperatiire gradients is shown, as is illustrated
several times on the chart for August, a different forecast
nould Le inacle than if the temperature uniformly and gradu-
ally shaded away from the surface upward. The significance
of these data, from the viewpoint of the forecaster, are not
yet fully comprehended, but certainly they present a fund of
information that will be studied with profit by those whose
duty it is to add to our liiiiited knowledge of the science that
is hack of the art of weather forecasting. One method of
utilizing the upper air observations made at Mount Weather
is illustrated by quoting from the general forecast issued at
Washington, at 6 p. m., on October 5, as follows:
The kite flights a t Mount Weather, Va., conducted by the Weather
Bureau during the last few clays, hare shown the beginning of the stronger
turbulent circulation of winter. The temperature this afternoon, about
1 mile in the free air above the station mas 4 O above freezing, with a
strong we& wind. On October 3 an altitude or slightly over 23,000 feet
was reached, at which point a temperature of 5 O below zero, F., was
recorded.
Still later, the general forecast issued at Washington, at 8
p. m., on October 23, contained the following reference to the
Observations received from Mount Weather:
The temperature conditions to-day in the free air above the Weather
Bureau Observatory a t Mount Weather, Va.,were rather unusual, namely,
no dimiuution of temperature up to 1 mile above the station, and only
180 lower 011 reaching a height of nearly 2 miles above the mountain. The air a t the highest point reached liad about the same temperature as
mas recordpd at an equal elevation during the past summer, thus indi-
cating, for the present at least, a high degree of heat in the upper regions
of the atmosphere.
I n view of the success attained in getting flights to con-
siderable elevations on practically every clay, it is confidently
expectecl that, with a still further iiuprovement in apparatus,
i t will be possible to study the march of temperature thru the
various seasons of the year a t altitudes heretofore inaccessible,
as i t is probable that eventually heights of 5 to 6 miles will
be frequently attained in the making of these observations. It
will be extremely interesting to the forecaster to trace the
sequence that certainly exist between the temperature changes
at these high levels and those that occur at the surface; especi-
ally must we determine the altitudes at which both diurnal and
annual variations of temperature cease, and whether or not, in
regions beyond these two variable strata, there is a constant
condition, or whether there are variations in the conditions
that control the absorption of heat by the upper air, and the
relation of these various phenomena to our weather.
A study of the upper air observations at Mount Weather
for a gear or two will determine whether or not i t is advkable
to make kite ascensions at Pikes Peak, Mount Washington, or
other elevated places.
Meteorographs and other necessary apparatus are now
being macle with a view of exploring the various quadrants of
1 See figs. l a n d 2.
~~
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
typical storms in the western region. It is proposed to liber-
ate, simultaneously, a large number of free balloons, so con-
structed as to explode as near as may be at some predeter-
mined altitude-probably 10 miles-the object being to secure
data, not for the direct purpose of making weather forecasts,
but to explore storms and cold waves, so that more may be
learned about the exact operations of nature within these
atmospheric vortices.
The upper air work at Mount Weather is especially de-
scribed because it is the one line of inquiry that, at present,
holds out the greatest promise of immediate utility. The re-
sults already secured are deemed to be of such value that it
is hoped that means will be provided for the diligent prose-
cution of other lines of research work. When it is considered
that about a million and a half of dollars is spent annually in
applying, at best, imperfect knowledge of the laws of storms
to the agricultural, marine. manufacturing, and commercial
industries of this country, it would seem to be a wise econ-
omy to maintain esperimentation a t a t least one of the ob-
servation stations of the Bureau; in fact, not to do so might
be reasonably considered an unpardonable oversight.
The exploration of the upper air is but one of the many
problems the elucidation of which must materially add to the
value of the Government Weather Service. and it is hoped that
Congress will authorize the completion of the physical labor-
atory building and the cottage-ofice building, so that the
study of the ionization, electrification, ancl other physical prop-
erties of the air may be prosecuted, and that sky polarization,
intensity of light, and cloucl density may be mcasurecl. It is be-
lieved that the results attained will be so valuable to meteoro-
logical science and the application of that science to the nation's
work, that a final building mill be constructed which will
have to do with the minute analysis and quantitire measure-
ment of the heat in the air as well as the temperature of the
air. Preliminary observations along this line have been made
by Mr. H. H. Kimball for a number of years. His olwerva-
tions, and those of others, clearly indicate the necessity for
a careful study of the problems of atmospheric absorption and
the diffusion of light and heat, if ever we are to get a clearer
understanding of the fundamental problems of the weather.
Aside from the upper air investigations, research work has
been prosecuted during the year along the following lines:
(1) solar radiation; (2 ) magnetism and other smaller problems
in solar physics, a brief discussion of which follows:
Solar m&atirm.--h pyrheliometer and a polarimeter have
been installed a t Mount Weather, and solar radiation oliserva-
tions begun. Absorption screens designed by Angstroiii for
use in connection with his pyrheliometer have recently been
received. These enable u s to measure the intensity of the
solar radiation in the blue-violet portion of the spectrum,
which is practically free from band absorption, but ib espe-
cially sensitive to variations in the haziness or dustiness of the
atmosphere. It is, therefore, believed that these mensure-
meuts, in connection with determinations of the total raflia-
tion, will enable u s to differentiate between the effects of at-
mospheric absorption due to gases, principally water vapor,
and the effects of atmospheric diffusion, which latter depends
largely upon the number of dust particles present. Compu-
tations of the solar constant should then be possible with con-
siderable accuracy.
This work requires auxiliary apparatus of greater sensitive-
ness than has heretofore been employed in solar radiation
work, and Professor Humphreys is already in correspondence
with instrument makers relative thereto.
A comparison between the results obtained a t Mount Wentlier
and at Washington will be of great interest. If the values of
the solar constant computed at the two stations are in accord,
the establishment of one or two other pyrheliometer a t a t' ions,
probably in the Southwest, where there is little cloudiness,
APPENDIX
should enable us to compute the value of the solar constant
nearly every day, and with sufficient accuracy to detect any
important variations in it. These results will then be studied
in connection with the records of the magnetic observatory.
Aside from the computation of the solar constant, the de-
termination of the quantity of solar radiation received a t the
surface of the earth, and its variations with the seasons and
with atmospheric conditions, will be of value. For this pur-
pose, however, a recording pyrheliometer is desired, and as
soon as it is decided which one of the types now available is
the most satisfactory an instrument will be purchased and in-
stalled at Mount Weather.
As a basis for the radiation work that is to be carried on at
Mount Weather, A h . H. H. Kimball will prepare the three fol-
lowing papers for publication in the Mount Weather Bulletin:
(1) Comparisons between different types of pyrheliometers.
This will include the extensive series of comparative read-
ings made by Mr. Kimball between the Angstrom pyrheli-
ometer and the actinometers in use at the Smithsonian Insti-
tution. These comparisons are important, in view of the fact
that the international union for cooperation in solar research
adopted the Angstrom instrument as its standard, and especi-
ally requests comparisons between this instrument and other
types.
(3) Observations with the Angstrijm pyrheliometer at Wash-
ington, D. C.
By the new method of reduction recently pointed out by
Angstriim me are now able to make better use of these obser-
vations than heretofore.
(3) The relation betmeen atmospheric transparency and the
polarization of blue skylight.
Mr. Kimball has devoted much time to these problenis clur-
ing the past year end has brought to the work talent of a
high order.
Observations with the Angstrom pyheliometer and the Pick-
ering polarimeter also have been maintained at the Central
Office in Washington thruout the year. The installation of
both instruments has been greatly improved, thereby reducing
the labor of observing, and the liability of errors in the results.
I n general the aim has been to obtain observations at noon,
and for a sufficient length of time before or after noon, to in-
troduce a variation of at least two atmospheres in the path of
the incoming solar radiation, ancl with intervals between ob-
servations equivalent to a change in the length of this path
of about 0.05 atmosphere. Observations were made on forty-
nine days. On nine of these, however, only short series were
obtained; on seven days the series covered the morning hours
onIy; on eighteen days the afternoon hours only; while on
twelve days the series of observations extended from early
morning until late in the afternoon.
The marked features of the year were the long period from
June 25 to October S, 1906, cluring which there were no days
on which satisfactory obserrations could be obtained; the
unusual transpnrency of the atmosphere from November 1 to
7, 1907, inclusive; and the low value of the atmospheric trans-
mission factor from April 3, 1007, to the end of the fiscal
year.
The two dngstrijm pyrheliometers of the earlier type of con-
struction, which had been in use since April, 1903, became
unservicable, and were replaced by an improved type of this
instrument in October, 1906. Unfortunately, direct compari-
sons betmeen the two types could not be obtained. -However,
coinprisons have been made thru the medium of the actino-
meters in use at the Astrophpical Observatory of the Smith-
sonian Institution so that the continuity of the Washington
series of actinoiueter observations has not been impaired.
Sky polarization is being studied in connection with the
total radiation received and there appears to be a close con-
nection between them, which is well worth following up, since
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. [31
doubtless it is connected with the amount of dust, moisture,
etc., in the air.
I n interpreting pyrheliometric readings with the view of
obtaining the solar constant it is necessary to know the mois-
ture content of the atmosphere thruout the path of the solar
rays observed, and the simultaneous kite observations will be
very useful in this connection.
Considerable time has been devoted to the preparation of
plans for a solar physics observatory which it is hoped Con-
gress will authorize to be constructed a t Mount Weather.
However, no sum for the purpose is included in the estimates
of expenses submitted for the coming year, as it is thought to
be well to finish the construction and equipment of the physi-
cal laboratory before this is begun.
Physics.-Several papers, based upon experimental work of
an optical nature, and of value in connection with solar physics
have been published. Others are in preparation, a d as op-
portunity offers additional work will be clone in meteorological
and solar physics; tho of course until the solar and physical
laboratories are completed and equipped the range of choice
in these fields must be very restricted.
17lagnetism.-The routine work of maintaining the self-
registering instruments in operation, and making absolute de-
terminations of the magnetic elements at ten day intervals is
being carried on in pursuance of the program adopted at the
beginning of the year. The adjustment of the instruments is
practically complete and probably will not need greatly to be
changed in the future. '
The determination of the value of the various factors that
operate to cause variations in the strength of the magnets
used in the magnetometers and magnetographs, thus intro-
ducing errors into the indications of the instruments, is going
forward, tho more slowly than was anticipated. The delay in
completing the physical laboratory has been an especial hin-
drance as it has deprived us of the apparatus with which it
will be equipped, ancl has thereby compelled the use of slow,
laborious, and, as the results show, insufficiently precise
methods. Suitable apparatus for these special purposes has
therefore been asked for, and this work will be completed on
its arrival.
The importance of these constants will be appreciated on
realizing that the indications of the magnetic instruments are
the result of an interaction between a magnet and the earth,
which is itself a great magnet. The variations in the mag-
netism of the earth would be truly shown if the iiiagnetic
strength of the magnetic needle remained constant. This
condition is not. realized, however, as the magnetic moment
of a steel magnet decreases with age; varies inversely with
the temperature; and varies with the strength of the earth's
field. The law of each of these, and of several more such fac-
tors must be discovered for each separate magnet by a series
. of experiments in which each disturbing force is carried thru
a gamut of changes, while all other variables are held con-
stant, or separately observed so that they may be eliminated.
It should be understood that while we are without a satis-
factory knowledge of these constants as yet, the observations
and records are being made in such form that they can be
reduced to absolute measures as soon as the values of the
various constants are known.
An intercomparison of the instruments a t this observatory
with those of the Cheltenham Magnetic Observatory of the
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey has been macle, and
the results now being decluced indicate that, while the &SO-
lute values are different, the variations are identical at the
two observatories. This indicates that the location of the
magnetic observatory at Mount Weather is entirely satisfac-
tory, since it was designed primarily to furnish immecliately
available data for the study of problems in the dynaniic
meteorology of the earth, particulally as influenced by the
various activities of the sun; and not for the purpose of
attacking purely Statistical problems, requiring a long series
of observations.
I n the present incomplete state of this observatory, lacking
as i t does, the parts with which the magnetic observatory was
designed to cooperate, viz: The departments of solar physics
and atmospheric electricity, it is hoped that we may secure,
by cooperation with the Naval Observatory and other places,
the data required in certain investigations that we wish to
take lip in connection with the magnetic work.
Among the available problems, an exact quantative investi-
gation into the relation between sun spots and magnetic
storms seems very promising. Considerations in the light of
the electron theory lead inevitably to the conclusion that the
intimate relation that has long been known to exist between
the variations of terrestrial magnetism, and various solar phe-
nomena, especially sun spots, arises from the bombardment of
the earth by electrons tlischarged from the sun. Discoveries
of the utmost importance to meteorology, terrestrial magnet-
ism, and atmospheric electricity are certain to ensue as the
result of exact study in this field.
The comparative examination of meteorological and mag-
netic phenomena will, it is believed, bring to light interesting
interrelation\, particularly as i t is now known that the atmos-
phere carries immense numbers of electrons that are not only
active in producing variations in the magnetic field of the
earth, but, as nuclei for condensation, enter intimately into a
great variety of meteorological processes. Such effects, how-
ever, are difEcult of detection for the reason that they are
relat,ively small, and very accurate observations of both the
meteorological and the magnetic elements will be required to
separate them. It is also possible that a comparison of the
variations of the solar condant with the magnetic variations
will reveal a correspondence between the two phenomena that
will thus provide a terrestrial index of the variatiazls in the
energy emitted by the sun, and perhaps also of the long
period variations in terrestrial climatic conditions.
These are the problems in mind and toward the ultimate
solution of which, however far off, our work is being directed.
Utvtrirction (!f the ad~)ii~iiatration btrildinp-About 4 o'clock
in the morning of October 23, 1907, the interior of the
ailministration building was discovered to be in flames.
The fire spread so rapidly that the eight persons sleep-
ing in the building that night barely escaped with their
lives, two being seriously injured. It has been impossible to
determine the origin of the fire. This building was used as
an ordinary weather observing station, such as is maintained
a t all of the various meteorological reporting ofices of the
Bureau. It also contained the administratire offices and the
kitchen, dining, sleeping, and general living rooms of the
scientific staff. Since the fire, kitchen and dining rooms have
been teiiiporarily provided in the upper part of the stable,
and sleeping rooms have been fitted up in what was once the
farm cottage. It is hoped that an appropriation for the re-
construction of the administration building will be made
available as soon as the appropriation bill for the support of
the Department becomes a law. When the structure is re-
built, it should be made entirely of fireproof material. At a
later period tentative plans will be prepared so that an esti-
mate can be secured of the cost of reconstructing the building.
FORECASTS AND WARNINGS.
During the last year the area from which daily meteorolog-
ical observations are received by telegraph has been extended
to include stations in European ancl Asiatic Russia, Iceland,
the Paroe Islands, and Nome, Alaska. Isobaric charts of the
Northern Hemisphere, based upon these reports and upon tele-
graphic observations received from selected points in western
Europe, the Azores, Bermuda, the West Indies, Mexico, Hono-
[41 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. APPENDIX
lulu, and in the United States and Canada, have been prepared
daily and employed with gratifying success in the preparation
of practise or experimental forecasts for periods of five and
six days in advance.
The tropical hurricanes of September and October, 1906,
were the most important storms that have occurred in Ameri-
can waters in several years. The first of these storms appeared
east of Barbados, W. I., August 31, moved thence northwest-
ward to a point off the northern Bahamas, where it recurved
to the northeastward during September 6 and 7, and past west
and north of Bermuda during the 9th. The storm was escep-
tionally severe in the transatlantic steamer routes during the
10th and l l t h , and apparently past north of Scotland on the
15th. From the first appearance of this hurricane until its
final disappearance over the north Atlantic Ocean, its charac-
ter and course were accurately defined in dispatches that were
telegraphed daily to American and West Imlian ports. The
American consul a t St. Thomas, W. I., wrote under date of
September 4, 1906:
harbor. * * * * * Your timely warning has saved millions to shipping in this
The Weather Bureau observer at San Juan, Porto Rico, re-
ported:
* * * The storm apparently followed the course forecast in the message received September 1. A11 vessels were advised to reniain i n
port; the advices were heeded, aud uo material damage has been re- ported. * * *
On the morning of the 8th when the storm hac1 completed
its recurve to the northeastward, Lloyds, London, was cabled
that a tropical disturbance was approaching Bermuda from
the southwest. On the following day the storm raged with
great intensity in the region about Bermuda, and during the
10-11th showed exceptionally low barometric pressure, and
was attended by gales of hurricane force over the mid-Atlan-
tic Ocean.
A disturbance that had apparently developed in the make
of the hurricane above referred to, advanced iiortliwarcl from
the West Indies over and east of the Bahamas from Septem-
ber 13 to 15, and then recurved westward to the Atlantic coast,
north of Charledon, S. C., by the morning of the 17th. The
subsequent course of this disturbance was northwestward
over the interior, where it possest but slight energy. It re-
curved northeastward over the lower Ohio Valley during the
18th and 19th and reached Nova Scotia on the 2lst.
The severest Gulf storm since the Galveston storm of Sep-
tember, 1900, advanced from the western Caribbean Sea north-
ward to the Gulf coast, near and west of Mobile from Septem-
ber 23 to 27. The accurate and timely warnings in connection
with this storm were, so far as known, heeded, and the great
damage done by the storm to vessels in harbors of shelter indi-
cates the almost inevitable fate of vessels whose masters may
have ignored the warnings. Detailed description of these
storms is given in the Monthly Weather Review for Septeni-
ber, 1906.
During the second decade of October, 1906, a tropical storm
of great intensity advanced from the western Caribbean Sea
northeastward near and east of Havana and Key West. This
storm caused great damage to the property of the Florida East
Coast Railway along the extension from the Peninsula to Key
West. House boats for workmen of this road were swept
away and many lives lost. Warnings of this storm were timely
and every effort was made to give them the widest possible
distribution.
The particular new work of this division during the corning
year will be the diligent study along practical lines of the
problem of forecasting general and important weather changes
and conditions for periods of a week or more in advance.
SEISMOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
In my annual report for last year attention was called to
the increasing importance of systematical seismological ob-
servations. Only a short time before that report was written
an unparalleled seismic disaster laic1 San Francisco and other
cities in central California in ruins. Exactly four months
later a strikingly similar convulsion of nature devastated Val-
parasio and vicinity. Still later, namely, on January 14, the
city of Kingston, Jamaica, was laid waste, and finally on the
14th of April a violent seismic disturbance was central in
southwestern Mesico, where great damage and loss of life re-
sulted.
The scientific world is now fully aroused to the importance
of systematically observing ancl studying these natural phe-
nomena of such vital consequence to the welfare of the peo-
ple, for it is clearly recognized that with adequate data in
hand the people can be advised how to best select and locate
their habitations and how to construct them to best resist the
disturbances to which they may be subjected.
Exact knowledge of the character and iiiagnitude of the
motion of the ground when subjected to earthquake action is of
vital importance to architects and structural engineers whose
business it is to design and erect the enormous structures
now so numerous in all our great cities. Any one of these
modern buildings often house a small army of people whose
safety depends in a great degree upon the power of the struc-
ture to resist the forces that may assail it. Earthquake-proof
construction must be required especially in great structures,
even in regions which may seein to be immune, for probably
it is only a question of time when some readjustment of the
earths strata under long accumulating stresses may occur in
seemingly the most stable regions and an earthquake of
greater or less severity be precipitated thereby.
The data required by engineers and architects to enable
them to properly handle the problem presented to them is at
present rery meager, vague, and indefinite. I n my last annual
report I mentioned that an international bureau of seismology
l i d been organized, with headquarters at Strasburg, the objects
of which in general are to bring about the systematic observa-
tion and study of all seismic phenomena thruout the whole
world. The United States Government is a member of this
organization ancl is represented by Prof. H. F. Reid, of the
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. At the present time,
however, no organized establishment exists for the systematic
observation and registration of earthquakes within the United
States.
Earthquakes are great natural phenomena and the disasters
at Charleston, in California, Chili, Jamaica, Mexico, and else-
where demonstrated how much the interests of the whole
people are affected by them. The scientific and systematic
observation of earthquakes is now a recognized necessity. It
is submitted that this important work, since i t affects the
welfare of all the people. devolves upon and should be under-
taken by the National Government; and, furthermore, it is
urged that the Weather Bureau be authorized to inaugurate
and maintain systematic seismological observations within the
United States and its Territories. I n support of this recom-
mendation, I desire to invite attention to the resolutions
past by the seismological committee of the American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science in a meeting held in
lj7ashington on April 19, 1907, as follows:
(1) In the judgment of the committee, its functions should be regarded
ah initiatory and advisory.
(2) I n the judgmeut of the committee, the time has come for asking the support of the Federal Goveinment iu srisiuological work.
3) This seismological work requires a cooperation of the various sci- eutific bureaus of the Government.
(4) The appropriations for seismological stations should he made thru
t h e United States Weather Bureau, and the results of the observations
should appear in its publications.
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. I 51
(5 ) A committee of three, t o include the chairman of the committee,
should confer with the Chief of the Weather Bureau, the Superintendent
of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the Director of the Geological
Survey with reference to framing the legislation providing for seismo-
logical stations and the publication of observations, as recommended in
the preceding resolutiou.
In the deliberations of the committee it was clearly recog-
nized that the Weather Bureau already has numerous stations
widely distributed over the country, and maintains a corps of
highly-trained observers on duty at all times. By reason of
this existing equipment the Weather Bureau is peculiarly
prepared to include seismological observations in its work at
the minimum cost of maintenance.
THE INVESTIGATION OF EVAPOBATION IN CONNECTION WITH
THE SALTON SEA.
While several studies have been made in the United *States
and Europe regarding the laws of evaporation over large
bodies of water, the results have not been suficiently in agree-
ment to be satisfactory for the deduction of a proper system
of laws designed for practical uses by engineers and meteor-
ologists. The recent formation of a large lake of fresh water
in the Salton Sea, southern California, caused by the overflow-
ing of the Colorado River, affords an unequaled opportunity
to take up the study of evaporation phenomena on a large
scale under remarkably favorable conditions.
The Snlton Sea is now 45 miles long, contains 440 square
miles surface, which is 205 feet below the sea level, the bottom
of the lake being 287 feet below the mean level of the Pacific
Ocean, and i t will evaporate at the rate of about 8 feet per
year.
Rlr. G. IC. Gilbert, of the United States Geological Survey,
proposed that this unique opportunity be embraced, especially
in view of the facts that the Salton Sea lies in a dry climate,
where evaporation is vigorous, where there is little rainfall,
and only a Rmall inflow of mater from the New and the Alamo
rivers, which can be readily measured, so that the evaporation
conditions are comparatively free from complications. I n
order to study the possibilities of the case a board, consisting
of Prof. F. H. Bigelow, United States Weather Bureau; Mr.
G. K. Gilbert, United States Geological Survey, and DIr. C. E.
Grunsky, United States Reclamation Service, proceeded to
Yuma, Ariz., and in May, 1907, inspected the entire region
carefully, making a favorable report on the undertaking.
Some valuable preliminary experiments were macle at Reno,
Nev., during the summer, and next year it is proposed to install
a chain of stations around the Salton Sea on a comparatively
simple plan for the first years work, and then proceed to a
more elaborate campaign during the second and following
years, as experience siiggests shall be appropriate.
The rainfall and the evaporation are the two great factors
which determine the amount of water available for irrig a t ion
purposes and for the supply of water that passes from the
watersheds to the navigable rivers as fl00~1s or as noriiial
stages, so that the engineers demand reliable data on this
subject, which i t is not at present possible to supply. While
the Weather Bureau collects rainfall data in all parts of the
country, there is nothing being clone on the evaporation side
of the problem, but i t is hoped in the course of a few years to
be able to add to our existing service the proper observations
on evaporation, such as will enable us to publish a monthly
map of evaporation to be used in connection with the rainfall
map now being issued every month. I n addition to the needs
of the engineer, i t is recognized that evaporation is an impor-
tant factor in the economy of plant life, so that the agricul-
turalist should have acceHs to suitable information regarding
the amount of the loss of water in this way. This is especially
true for the region west of the Mississippi River, where projects
are under way that have such an important bearing on the
future industrial development of that vast region, rich as it is
in possibilities for the future. The introduction of the dnte
palm industry in the immediate vicinity of the Salton Sea calls
for special meteorological observat)ions, because the maturing
dates are very injuriously influenced by moisture in the sir,
such as may be produced by the-evaporation of the sea or of
irrigated fields.
The preliminary report of the board is as follows:
REPOHT OF BOARD ON EVAPORATION STUDIF8 I N SALTON BASIN.
LOS ANGELES, CdL., MAT 20, 1907.
I n compliance with instructions received, the unilersigned, F. H.
Bigelow, representing the Unit,ed States Weather Bureau; G. K. Gilbert,
representing the Uiiitetl States Geological Survey, and C. E. Grunsky,
representing the United States Reclaination Service, met at Puma, Ariz.,
on May 13, 19117, for the purpose of o u t h i n g the scope and methods of
an investigation of evaporation in connection with the clrying out of
Salton Sea, Cal. bn organization ah a couference board was effected by
electing F. H. Bigelow chairman, and with all members participating
the board was in session from day to day t i t various places in Salton
Basin, ancl held a final session at. Los Angeles.
It, was recognized in advance that in ortler tlo rlet,ermine t.he law which
controls evaporation and t h u s ut.ilize to the fullest extent the opportunity
affordeil by the clryiiig out of the lake, the meteorological conditions at
ai111 near talle lake must be thoroly investigat,ed, anal i t was early apparent
that fiunncial consiilerations would inake i t impossible to install and put
in operation a t once the fully equipt stations required for this purpose.
The board, therefore, has given special consideration, first, to the work
which should be iiuiuecliately undertaken with means uow a t command,
and seconil, to the scolie of the work as it sliould be carried out when
suitable financial provision shall hare been macle.
The board confirms the conclusion reached by the earlier conference
committ,er, that the Weather Bureau should direct the making of obser-
vations and should have primary charge of working up results.
Both the Geological Survey and t.he Keclaniation Service sliould cooper-
ate in the work to the extent found practical from time to time, and
both of these bureaus sho:ilcl remain in close touch with the work. For this reason i t appears a wise provision to have the scope of the work and
the methods of observation past upon frorn time to time by this con-
ference board, which should Ire continued indefinitely for this purpose.
It is foreseen that after the ol)serrations have been established on a comprehensive Iiasis, they should be continued wit,liout interrupt,ion for
two or three years. Whether for a longer period can not be determined
until the results of two years ubservntions lwome available.
The board tlesires t.0 espress its appreciation of the preliminary work
done in connect.ion with this suliject by the United States Geological Sur-
vey, which, upon a first suggestion that such a study should be made, a t
once ordered an examination by W. F. RIart.in, whose exploration of the
shores of the sea and of the conditions of run-off from the surrounding
country greatly simplified our own invest,iyations. We found it neces- sary, however, to have personal knowledge ol the physical condition of
the cuiintry snrrountling the large body of water, and also to know some-
thing ol t,he coiidit,ion wliicll led to the formation of the lake, and to
understand the present situation a t Colorado River, which, if modified,
limy affect the accession to the waters of Salton Sea. Consequently, an inspection was macle of the works wllicli turned the Colorado River back
into its proper channel. and of the levees extending some 10 miles be-
yond the lower Mexican heading which is intended to reduce the annual
overtrank flow toward the west and north.
The board visited the margin o f the sea at its southern extremit,y and
at several puints on t.he east ancl northeast along the line of the South-
ern Pacific railroad, IIOtatJly a t Durmid, aud at Salton. Inquiry and
personal iuvestigation were also made of the suitability of Yuma, Ifam-
moth Tank, Brawley, Mecca, Indio, and Elloin as stations for the mete-
orvlogicsl obvrrvations required in counection with the direct observation
of evaporation and with the study of the effect of a large body of water
upon the rate of eralioration.
ds a result of these examinations and upon consideration of all oir-
cuiustaiices atfecting the problem, the lmard rccoinmentls as follows:
First.-That t,he United States Geological Surrey make gagings of all
visible inflow of water into the hke.
Second.-That the Unit.ed States C:eological Survey furnish such facts
as are ascertainable relating to probable loss of mater into underground
strata or relatiug t,o accession o f water from underground sources.
Third.-That the Uuited States Weather Bureau immediately-
(a) Raise the standard of its local oflice a t Tuma.
(b ) Establish fitations a t Durmid or Salton, at Brawley, and at Edom,
and improve the service at Mammoth Tank, Mecca, and Indio, so as to
semre from each of these stations the dry-hulb temperature, the wet-
bulb temperature, the direction and force of the wind, the rainfall, the
barometric pressure, and the evaporation from a Piche evaporometer.
(c) Establish evaporation pans a t Tuum, a t Mammoth Tank, at Braw-
ley, at Mecca, a t Durmid, if possible on land and afloat, and a t Edom.
(d ) Keep a record of water stage and water temperature a t the railroad
trestle near Durmid.
PI ' MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. APPENDIX
(e) Conduct experiments at any convenient point for the prellmlnary determination of additional factors influencing the rate of evaporation. (f) Plan such self-registering apparatus as should be available fo< use
in a thoroly equipt evaporation station. Fourth.-That an appropriation be requested from Congress, for the Weather Bureau, to be used for-continuing and expanding the observa- tions at the points above mentioned; for the establishment of one or more
thoroly equipt stations in the Salton Basin at which all phenomena affect-
ing evaporation are to be studied: for the continuous determination by
automatic gage of the lowering of the water surface of Salton Sea by
evaporation: and for the compensation of all necessary assistants re-
quired in making, reducing, and discussing the observations.
The sum of money that should be set apart for this work at the nest session of Congress is 825,000.
This estimate is based on a tentative plan of operation which remains subject to such modifications as the first year's experience may show to
be necessary. The estimate includes an item of 812,000 for installation and 813,ONI for
salaries, rents, and supplies. The item for salaries includes cornpensa-
tion at $1,500 per year for a physickt in the field, and compensation for
two clerks at $1,200each for the Washington office of the Weather Bureau; this item also includes 81,500 for laboratory experiments and the neces-
sary incidental expenses.
FRANK H. BIC:ELOW,
G . K. GILBERT,
C. E. GRONKKT,
United Stales Reclamation Service.
Profea8or, United Sticle8 Wecrther Burenu.
(feologbl, United Statea Geologicid Surt'ey.
Conaulting Ettgiiieer in the
Iniportaiice ?f the proposed tnuesligatioii. History of the S'oltoti
Sea.-Salton Basin, in the extreme southeastern part of Cali-
fornia, is a depression below the level of the sea, its lowest
point being 287 feet below mean tide. The basin is separated
from the Gulf of California by the delta of the Colorado River.
In past times the river has flowed alternately to the Gulf and
to the basin. Four years ago all the water of the river flowed
to the Gulf of California and the basin was dry. A canal
made for irrigation purposes, leading water from the river
toward the Salton Basin, became enlarged in time of flood ancl
past beyond control, so after a few months the entire river
discharged t o the basin. For more than a year it flowed in
that direction and it was finally brought under control only
after strenuous effort. The river has now been returned to
its former channel ancl discharges to the Gulf of California,
excepting a small portion eiiiployed for irrigation in the Impe-
rial Valley-" Imperial Valley " being the name given to that
pait of the river delta which slopes toward the Salton Basin.
While the river flowed into the Salton Basin it gradually
flooded the lower part of the basin so that now there is a lake
or sea about 80 feet deep with a surface area of 440 square
miles. As important interests are involved, it way be assumed
that the river will be restrained from again invading the basin
and that the lake which now exists will gradually dry away,
its dissipation requiring between ten and fifteen years.
Nerd for the in iiesfigalioii of erlapo.r.nlion.-In the construction
of reservoirs, for whatever purpose, i t is necessary to iuake
allowance for evaporation in order to determine in advance
what will be the available supply of mater. In the work of
the Reclamation Service the allowance for evaporation is often
very large and affects the plans and estimates of cost in im-
portant ways. It is always a factor to be considered in esti-
mating the available supply obtainable from a reservoir of
known capacity and is likewise a factor used in determining
the height of a dam of greatest storage eficiency. The espo-
sure of an unnecessarily large area behind a dam of too great
height may result in excessive wastage of the supply. More-
over an inadequate allowance for loss by evaporation froui the
reservoir surface leads to erroneous assumptions concerning
the water which can be made available for useful purposes.
Unfortunately the rate of evaporation for different climates
is not well known, so that a t present i t is impossible to make
estimates with desirable precision. It is known that the rate
of evaporation in any locality depends on certain factors,
namely: The temperature of the air and water, the dryness of
the air, and the velocity of the wind; but the nature of the
law or formula connecting the evaporation with these factors
is not known. Various attempts have been made to determine
it, but the results are so discordant that little confidence is
felt in any of them. It is known also that a formula for
evaporation derived from experiments with a small water sur-
face-such as that afforded by a tank, for example-can not
be applied directly to the computation of the evaporation from
a reservoir or lake, because the larger bodies are differently
affected by the wind. As the air moves across a reservoir and
gradually becomes charged with moisture its rate of sbsorp-
tion diminishes, and the average rate of evaporation from a
broad surface is therefore less than from a small surface. For
this reason the forinuIa for evaporation can not be put on a
sound basis without taking account of large mater surfaces as
well as small. Attempts to measure evaporation from lakes
ancl reservoirs have heretofore been hampered by the diffi-
culty of accurately measuring inflow and outflow so as to dis-
criminate the various factors determining changes in the level
of water surfaces.
Availability vf the Salton Spa.-The conditions afforded by the
Salton Sea are particularly suitable for the investigation of
the lams of evaporation. The amount of water flowing into
i t is small and can readily be measured. The rainfall is nomi-
nal in amount. No water flows out of it. The climate is so
dry that the total evaporation in the year will probably
amount to 6 or 8 feet. It is, thorefore, possible to determine
by gaging the actual rate of evaporation, and to make this
determination with high precision. By making the gaging
continuous, and by making simultaneous observations of the
temperature, atmospheric humidity, wind, etc., the relations
of evaporation to these several factors can be macle out. It is
po~sible, also, by a suitable arrangement of details, and by
the use of evaporation tanks, to take account of the relation
of evaporation to the size of the evaporating surface.
By the reason of the dryness of the local climate the evapo-
ration rate in the Salton Basin is unusually high. Therefore,
a formula based on observations a t this place will have such
range as to be available for all cases likely to arise.
It is especially to be noted that the opportunity given by
Salton Sea is both temporary and unique. I n ten or fifteen
years the sea will have disappeared, and in a somewhat shorter
iieriod its maters will have become so saline that its rate of
evaporation will no longer be normal and representive. It is
not to be restored if the resources of the engineer can prevent.
Moreover, the combination of physical conditions and events
by which the sea was created is so peculiar as to warrant the
belief that i t is not duplicated elsewhere. It is certainly not
to be found in the United States. Unless use is macle of the
present crisis in the history of the basin the opportunity will
be lost.
With reference to the practical value of the proposed in-
vestigation of evaporation, Mr. M. 0. Leighton, Chief Hyclro-
grapher of the United States Geological Survey, writes as fol-
lows:
It is of utmost importance to all water supply installation to have the rate of evaporation under fist and variable conditions determined. A
few practical illustrations: It has been estimated that the evaporation
in fiouthern Arizona is equivalent to about 6 feet per year. Whether or not this is true we do not know. Assuming, however, that the flgure is a fair approximation, the amount of water lost from the Roosevelt Re-
servoir, surface extent, 16,320 acres, will be 97,920 acre-feet, sufficient to irrigate 48,!360 acres, assuming a duty of water equivalent to 24 inches
per aunum. The hanie computations may be made with respect to all
the great reservoirs in t h e arid West. It will, therefore, be seen that in computing the area to be reclaimed under the Roosevelt Reservoir it was necessary to deduct nearly 50,000 acres from that which might have
been reclaimed hail it not been for evaporation. The Sweetwater and
Otay reservoirs in the San Diego region in southern California have never
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
performed the duty that was expected of them. Indeed, during the greater part of the time since they were constructed they have been
empty or only partially fllled. The evaporqtion from these reservoirs is enormous, and it is highly probable that had there been any worthy in-
formation concerning the rate of evaporation at those points it would
have been appreoiated that the drainage areas would not provide for ac-
tual use an amount of water equivalent to the storage installation. In
other words, the plans would have been entirely changed and a large amount of money would have been saved.
The above constitute two typical instances of the practical importance
of determining all the factors connected with evaporation, If the fact6
were known, the engineering profession would probably change its ideas
With reference to economic depth of water stored, and shallow areas
within reservoirs at which it is assumed that evaporation may be greatest
would be avoided. If the effects of win& were known, ideas with refer-
ence to the proper location of reservoirs would probably be changed, and
there would be some useful study and experimentation with reference to
the effect of wind-breaks, etc. In fact, we can only generalize about the
matter, even as it is necessary to generalize with reference to the
methods of evaporation study. Each reservoir in the west is subject to
great loss. We do not know how much, but it is apparent that did we
know subsequent work of this character would be more intelligently
carried on.
FOREIGN METEOROLOGISTS STUDY AMERICAN WEATHER
SERVICE.
It is probable that no other branch of science is as ~L I C ~
indebted to the researches of citizens of the United States as
is meteorology, Redfield and Espy, ewly in the nineteenth
century, having been the first to collect the data, plat it, and
exhibit to the world the cyclonic action of storms. Utilizing
the knowledge thus made known and the further researches
of the scientists of other nations, the United States has taken
the lead in the practical application of meteorological science,
our broad continental area and thoro electrical communication
rendering it possible to bring an extensive system under one
administrative head. The service is the result of an evolution,
it being necessary to adopt new methods with each advancing
step and to devise and invent appliances for putting into effect
ideas that were unique. It has also required the application
of discipline of military esactness in order to coordinate into
an efficiently working machine 200 full meteorological ofices,
with more than 900 auxiliary stations, and to produce an e%-
ciently working unit that shall twice daily gather meteoro-
logical data from such a large area, collate and print it at
many commercial centers, and, thru the agency of the press,
the telephone, and the rural free delivery, place the decluc-
tions from the data before those who can make the most use
of them.
Within recent years many scientific representatives of foreign
governments have honored u s by visits and By a study of the
methods employed by the United States in the administration
of its Weather Bureau They have also extensively used the
technical library of the Bureau.
Reference is made below to some of those who have s t u d i d
our methods.
In 1903 Mr. Gilbert T. Walker, the then newly elected
director of the British-Indian Meteorological Service, came to
this country to study our system of forecasting before assum-
ing his new duties.
During the years 1890-1893 Rev. Josh AlguC:, Director of the
Philippine Meteorological Service, spent several months es-
aming the work of the Weather Bureau both at Washington
and at some other stations before taking charge of the Manila
Observatory. Similar studies were also made by himself and
Father J. Clos, in 1900, preparatory to remodeling the work of
the Philippine Weather Bureau in accordance with plans
drawn up jointly by Father AlguC: and the Chief of the United
States Weather Bureau.
During 1903-1906 several meteorologists of Japan, inclucling
especially Dr. S. Tetsu Tamura, took advantage of the facilities
offered by our extensive meteorological library and by our
professional staff to study the distinctive features of o w
service.
I n 1906 Prof. Manuel E. Pastrana, director of the Central
Meteorological Office of Mexico, devoted much time to the
study of the methods of our administration.
During 1906-7 Father Josh Coronas, of Manila, spent some
time studying the Weather Bureau forecast service. Unfor-
tunately, his studies were interrupted for a considerable time
by a serious illness.
I n 1907 Dr. P. Polis, an eminent meteorologist connected
with the German Government and forecast service, paid this
country an official visit, and during a period of two months
macle an exhaustive study of our system, both at the Central
Office in Tvashington and thruout the country.
RIVER AND FLOOD SERVICE.
The year was an active one for the River and Flood Service
both as to details of administration, the occurrence of floods,
and the work of forecasts and warnings in connection there-
with.
A new river district center was established on May 1, 1907,
at Phoenix, Briz., with territory comprising the watershed of
the Gila River. This territory was formerly a portion of the
Denver, Colo., district, ancl was assigned to Phoenix for greater
convenience of administration and increased eficiency in the
matter of clistribution of flood warnings. Several new sta-
tions were also located on the Colorado River sncl its conflu-
ents, the Green and Grand rivers.
The steady development of agricultural industries, largely
the result of the reclamation work of the General Government,
now under way in the valley of the Colorado River and its
principal tributaries, carries with it a demand for detailed and
reliable information as to the quantity of water to be expected
during the growing season, as well as for warnings of the dis-
astrous floocls that have in late years occurred with consider-
able frequency. It is believed that the Weather Bureau can
be of material assistance in this work with the facilities now
in hand, altho opportunities will clou1)tless be afforded for
iiiuch greater usefulness as means of rapid communication
develop.
Twenty-three special river ant1 twelve special rainfall sta-
tions were establishecl during the year, principally in the water-
sheds of the Colorado, Sacramento, am1 San Joaquin rivers.
Four special river and seven special rainfall stations were
discontinued without impairment of the efficiency of the ser-
vice.
The district of Sacramento, Cal., is now in excellent condi-
tion and performed eEcient service cluring the flood of March,
1!)07, the greatest flood in the history of the State. A con-
siderable number of new stations was established in this dis-
trict, and i t is thought that with the addition of a few more
this service will be thoroly equipped for any future contin-
gencies.
Other changes thruout the country were of a minor char-
acter.
By reason of the great amount of commerce carried upon
them and the enormous property values affected by overflows,
the Ohio River and the IIississippi River below Cairo, Ill.,
easily make the largest demands upon the labor, time, and
money of the River and Flood service. The present service
is adequate SO far as the work of actual forecasting is con-
cerned; there is, however, a constant demand for increased
service from many important cities ancl towns that are not
special river stations. These places not only wish flood warn-
ings, which they now receive, but also daily information as to
t8he stage of the water at the different places. clainiing that
such informntiou ~~o u l c l be of the greatest assistance to the
navigation interests. The claim is well founclecl and i t is in-
tended that such provision be made as will admit of the pub-
lication of a daily river bulletin at the more important river
cities and towns where such service is not now provided, the
APPENDIX PI MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
data to be telegraphed or telephoned each morning from the
nearest Weather Bureau center. The value of such service is
practically beyond question, and its establishment would sim-
ply fulfil the legitimate desire of the people interested.
It may be necessary in a year or two to make some provi-
sion for river service in the watershed of the Yukon River for
the benefit of the navigation interests. The subject has been
informally brought to the attention of the Weather Bureau
with some tentative suggestions, but it is not proposed that
anything shall be done during the nest fiscal year.
It is also becoming apparent that some additional service
will probably be necessary in the future along the large tribu-
taries of the Arkansas River, such as the Cimmaron, anil both
forks of the Canadian, and possibly along the Red River above
Denison, Tes. Such a service should prove of much value to
the increasing agricultural interests of Oklahoma and Indian
Territories, and the question mill be made a subject for further
consideration.
The great floods of the year were three in number, all occur-
ring between January ancl March.
The first was that of January and February in the Ohio and
lower Mississippi rivers, when stages in the former river were
the highest of record, with the exception of those of 18S3 and
1884, the records covering a period of nearly one hundred
years.
The warnings issued by the Weather Bureau in connection
with this flood were accurate both as to time and stage, and
were the direct means of saving an immense amount of prop-
erty. The Cincinnati Price Current in an article on the flood
stated that-
The Weather Bureau office a t Cincinnati has rendered very importaut
service incident to the flood conditions, in furnishing current information
and in pointing out what might be expected. The gradual rise, with the
warnings, made it possible to do a great deal preparatory to conditions
of inundation.
There were numerous testimonials of a similar Character
from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and under date of February
9, 1907, the New Orleans Times-Democrat said :
The river reached 19 feet here yesterday, as forecast by the United
States Weather Bureau eleven days ago. The forecasts have been er-
ceptionally accurate, both as to the expected stages and the time of their
occurrence.
The second great flood occurred in the Valley of California,
beginning early in February. This flood was the greatest in
the recorded history of the State of California; i t flooded
300,000 acres of reclaimed land and caused a loss of or damage
to property amounting roughly to $5,000,000. The warnings
issued were accurate; the service was satisfactory to a high
degree, and brought forth many expressions of commendation
and appreciation.
The third flood occurred during March in the Ohio River,
particularly along the upper portions, ancl a t Pittsburg the
water reached the highest stage of recortl. The usual warn-
ings were issued promptly, but skepticism on the part of some
persons unacquainted with the true facts resulted in consicl-
erable damage that might otherwise have been avoided.
Another flood deserving of mention was that caused in
January by the great ice gorge in the Grand River of
Michigan. The service performed during this 0ood was of
the highest character, anil to the oficial in charge of the river
district of Michigan were tendered the thanks of both the
citizens of Grand Rapids assembled in mass meeting and of
the common council of the city.
CLIMATOLOGICAL SERVICE.
The Climatological Division is charged with (1) the collec-
tion and publication of climat,ological data, and (3 ) the distri-
bution of forecasts and special warnings. Under the first-
named heading may be classed:
(a) Cooperative stations, of which there are more than 3,600.
(b ) Cotton, corn and wheat, and sugar and rice region
stations, and the publication at district centers and selected
Weather Bureau stations for the period from April to October
of daily bulletins showing the temperature and the precipita-
tion for the growing fields.
(c ) The monthly and weekly publications of the several sec-
tions of the Climatological Service, including the monthly
snowfall bulletins of the States of the Rocky Mountain and
Plateau regions for the period from December to March.
(d ) The preparation of the National Weekly and Monthly
Weather Bulletins, and the weekly Snow and Ice Bulletin
issued during the winter months.
Cooperntwe stations.-As for several years past, the object
has been to increase the accuracy of the observations at the
cooperative stations, rather than to increase the number of
stations, which is somewhat smaller than at the close of the
previous year, 250 having been established and 270 discon-
tinued for various reasons. Practically all of these stations
are now equipped with standard instrunients, which are es-
posed in an approved manner. One hundred and seventy-
seven (177) stations were visited by section directors for the
purpose of inspection.
Cotton, coni and wheaf, and sicgar nnd ricr wgion station.-The
number of cotton region stations (144) is the same as at the
close of last year, 3 having been e<tablished and 3 discontin-
ued. They are grouped under the same district centers as
last year, 13 in number, namely: Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston,
Galveston, Little Rock, Memphis, Mobile, Montgomery, New
Orleans, Oklahoma, Savannah, Tricksburg, and TVilmington.
Other Weather Bureau statiohs issuing daily bulletins, con-
taining for the most part the averages of temperature and
rainfall of the various districts only, are: Birmingham, Char-
lotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Fort Worth, Macon, Meridian,
Norfolk, Raleigh, St. Louis, San Antonio, Shreveport, and
Taylor. The average edition of the daily bulletin is 33, the
greatest issue being that from Memphis, 77. The data sup-
pliecl by these stations continue to be of great value to those
interested in the production of cotton and other crops. The
rigid rules with regard to the time of making the bulletins
public, namely, 11 a. 111.. seventy-fifth meridian time, have been
strictly adhered to. Nine stations in the sugar and rice region
of Louisiana report to the New Orleans cotton region district
center and their observations are publishecl in the cotton re-
gion bulletins issued for that center.
The number of corn nncl wheat region stations (134) is also
the same as the close of last year, 1 having been established
and 1 cliscontinued. These stations are identical in character
with the cotton region stations and cover the great cereal
producing belt. They are grouped under 9 centers, as follows:
Chicago. Columbus, Des RIoines, Indianapolis, Kansas City,
Louisville, Minneapolis, Omaha, and St. Loiiifi. Dulnth, Peoria,
and Topeka issue bulletins containing the district averages
only. The average edition of the daily bulletins is 66 copies,
the maximum number, 134. being issued from Kansas City.
Chicctologric~d PitUictlti~i,s.--The monthly reports and annual
summaries of the 44 sections of the Climatological Service
hare been published without change in form. The monthly
reports in all but two instances consist of eight page pub-
lications, containing charts of mean temperature and total
precipitation, tables of miscellaneous cliinatological data, daily
temperature extremew, ancl daily precipitation, together with
two pages of descsriptive test. Owing to rigid economy and
a careful system by which the mailing lists are purged of the
addresses of those not specialiy interested in these puhlica-
tions, the total edition is somewhat less than at the close of
last year. These reports continue to supply to varied and im-
portant interests reliable climatological information for nearly
every part of the United States. They have been published
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. ~9 1
n oming .............................
Total. ..........................
......... Y&owrtone National Park..
with the usual promptness, the majority making their appear-
ance before the 20th of the month succeeding that to which
they pertain, and the remainder, with the exception of that of
Hawaii and a few issued at the expense of their respective
States, are usually printed within 30 days after the close of the
month to which they pertain. The section publications are
closely scrutinized by the Climatological Division of the Cen-
tral affice, with a view to maintaining a creditable literary
standard as well as to insure accuracy in the publication of
the meteorological statistics and sound conclusions in the dis-
cussions presented.
The weekly weather bulletins of the several sections have
been regularly published. The elimination of the crop feature
has caused a decrease in the number issued, as indicated by
the reduction in the combined edition, which is about 4,000
less than i t was a t the close of the preceding year.
The National Weather Bulletin issued from the Central Of-
fice continues to supply valuable information. It presents geo-
graphically the distribution of temperature and precipitation,
a discussion of these elements, and a brief summary of the
weather conditions prevailing during the week, or month, in
each State. The edition of this publication on June 30,1905,
was 4,600; on June 30, 1906, it was 2,560; and on June 30,
1907, only-2,200. It is likely, however, that there will be no
further decrease, which was occasioned by the elimination of
the crop feature from the report.
The following table shows for each section the number of
cooperative observers, the number of weather correspondents,
and the editions of the weekly weather bulletins and monthly
climatological reports :
&operative observers, vreatbr correapm&nts, nnd editione of climatological
I Z  X I
10 ............ ___-__-
3,684 4,269 1
___- Section. 1 couperative
observers.
Alaska. ..............................
~
Alabama.. ...........................
~
Arizona.. .............................
California.. .........................
Georgia Hawaii Idaho.
Indiana.. ............................ Iowa.. ................................ Kansas. ...............................
.............................. ............................... ...............................
South Carolina.
40 37 77 68 350 93 58 42 143 56 90 59 123 91 44 42 49 115 7u 64 82 83 150 44 132 42 87 125 61
85 98
66
83 87 41 32 60
4.9
147 82
Weather ;orrespnn- dents.
........... 95 110
61
5u
34 60 150 53 76 90 149 400 us
Virginia.. .......................... _I 55
Warhinot,on ........................ S9 .  .. - ...................
\Veet Virginia.. ...................... 55
.... fi:! 6! .......................... \viscousin .I
Publications issued.
_.
4.4
71 65 124
60
85 111 120 404 46
55
70 1 !?L 118 36
115 190
32 65 25 50 106 90 145 153 95
m 6.5
5n
... -
Monthly
cal reports. l ~~~~$s , climntologi-
.......... 500 , ............
$20 I 650
501) 6W 1 601)
500 700
700
1, OW 920 313 I 376 450 450
415
~
515
500 700 4uo 375
600 400
7M 550 501 457 600 IiOO
740 5s5 150 1 311u
3511 700
1,1m 1 ,0 0
1,501) 1.2.50
548 1 !Flo
501) I 3%
575 825
,500 1.050 500 HI0
860 1 550
700 651) 300 750 350 6UO
135
~
375 450 476 670 650
426 4i5
500 600
925
900 5YO 600 1 655
375 350
silo 1 1,600
...... --__
27,986 1 30,2YY
The weekly Cotton Region Weather Bulletin was issued
regularly from the New Orleans office, as heretofore. This
publication contains two charts showing, respectively, the de-
partures from the normal temperature and the total precipita-
tion for the States comprising the cotton belt, a brief summary
of the general weather conditions, and duplicates of the tele-
graphic weather summaries for cotton States as published in
the National Weather Bulletin.
The Snow end Ice Bulletin shows the depth of snow on the
ground and the thickness of ice a t 8 p. m., seventy-fifth me-
ridian time, on Mondays during the winter, as indicated by
the reports from regular Weather Bureau stations and selected
cooperative stations. The edition a t the close of the season
in March, 1907, was 1,400.
Distribution of -forecaste atid ,special warnings.-While this
work has been conducted on lines identical with those of pre-
vious years, the main efforts have been largely confined to
extending the distribution thru the medium of the local and
long-distance telephone companies.
During the past autumn and winter the telephone companies
operating lines in the South Atlantic and Gulf States were
invited to cooperate with the Weather Bureau and give the
daily forecasts to their subscribers, particularly in rural and
agricultural districts. As a result of this correspondence, 135
telephone companies made the forecasts available for the ben-
efit of over 72,500 subscribers in the trucking sections of the
districts referred to during the season when they were most
valuable. Similar action was also taken during the spring of
1907 covering the States of the central valleys.
At the close of the fiscal year there are of record the names
of 1,633 telephone companies cooperating with the Weather
Bureau in the distribution of forecasts, representing in round
numbers nearly 2,000,000 subscribers who may obtain the
forecasts daily by calling Central , an increase of 971,620
over the number given in the last annual report.
Quite a number of the smaller companies have a distinctive
signal by which they call up all rural subscribers on each
circuit and give them the weather forecast each day as soon
as it is received from the district center.
As opportunity presente it is proposed to bring this form of
fdrecast distribution to the attention of the officials of every
telephone company in the country and invite their cooperation,
as experience has demonstrated the fact that this mode of dis-
semination is by far the most economical yet adopted for
placing the forecasts before the public a t the earliest possible
moment after they are ready for issue.
An increase of 130 is shown in the number of stations re-
ceiving daily forecasts by telegraph a t Government expense,
as a result of the additional number of centers required in the
great increase in telephonic distribution, altho the rural tele-
phone has permitted the discontinuance of a large number of
centers of the Rural Free Delivery Service, which formerly
received telegraphic forecasts at the expense of this Bureau.
The number of post-ofices, or addresses, receiving daily
forecasts by mail is now 78,109, which is 1,390 more than the
number supplied by this means at the close of the previous
year, while the number of patrons receiving forecasts thru
the Rural Free Delivery has been reduced 11,166, owing to
the substitution of the rural telephone for this service.
The distribution by railway telegraph lines remains practi-
cally the same, and there are 1,091 less places receiving fore-
casts thru the cooperation of railway train baggagemen.
There is now of record a grand total of 2,141,151 addresses
to which the daily forecasts are sent, or points where they
are available for public benefit.
CIinintology.-An important contribution to the needs of the
people was made in the issue of Weather Bureau Bulletin Q,
Climatology of the United States, by Prof. Alfred J. Henry.
AR-2 The bulle& inakes a quarto volume 01 1,012 pages; it contains
APPENDIX P O I MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
a comprehensive summary of the most important climatic ele- conditions existing at the hour of Greenwich mean noon
ments, and rather complete olimatic statistics for each State of each clay that the vessel is at sea; the Bureau in return
and Territory, excluding only Alaska and foreign possessions. promising to furnish master and observer with a copy of
The report is in great demand. It reflects credit upon its . such publications as may be.foundec1 upon the observations in
author.
The following table shows in detail the distribution of fore-
casts and special warnings in the various States and Territories:
Distnbution of duily forecnsts and special cmd emergency wnmingn.
Alalmma.. ............ Arizona.. .............. Arkansas. ............. California .............
Connecticu ........... Delaware .............. Dist,rict of C'dumbia.. . Florida. ............... Geurgia ............... Idaho ................ Illinois ............... Indiana .............. Iudian Trrritury ......
Massachusetts ......... Michigan .............. Dliunesota ............
Missouri .............. I\1outaun ..............
New Jersey. ........... New Mexicu .......... New Tork ............. North C a r d i n n .. ...... North Dakota ......... Ohio.. ................. Oklnhoua ............. Oreyun ................ Pennsy 1vani:r ......... Rhode Islaud. ......... Suoth Carolina ........ South Dakota.. ....... Tennessee ............. Texis. ................ Utah .................. Venn8 tot. .............
Wasbingtou .........
Wixronslri ......
Virginia.. .............
West V i y i u i a .. .......
.............
914 720
1,252
1,199
:a 567 1,526
7F;
","is 117
1,lRU
__ 78,109
1,065
I1
30? 4,561 935 50 1 ,n s 0
43
1,135
55
4,394
2, 19x in0
1;- 687
5,6<0
699
2Oi
Si;
1. l R t i
310
900 6, 2111
71.3
3,6tin
50
958 0
0
0 3 ,2 i S
3,695
1,395
1,4:;4
1,194
53.5
5x1
0
txn 861 1,775 3. 7 i 0
q06
H66 1,553 1,517
h3
2,9!l!l
40
1,5ti4
1,257
5a2
1,60X
19,496
ti,w
S3*?50
I,%5
10,000
5.957
5.017
7.5'3'2
467,554
84,446
4
94,908
1 e , 81.-,
66,561 4,075 S!1
5.301
14.93:;
IU7,R.SS 97.969
d 3 5 S i
105,942
9.0:+7
39,1:19 0 1,481
11,ltill
I 1 6 . 625
9,62<l
99
35S,4ili
8,117
I;, ?US 67, 99:s
404
15. ,SI)
3111
l ,l p
14,059
x:1,337
29,(mlll
467
IS, 8?4
93, ti96
IC.4IS
en.:vz9
3,5w
OCEAN RIElE~.)EOLOC;Y.
The function of the Bureau in respect to ocean iiieteorology
is (lj the issuance of daily storm warnings and weather fore-
casts for the benefit and protection of shipping; ('3) the collec-
tion of meteorological and physical information pertaining to
the various oceans, their atmospheric disturbances, winds, cur-
rents, temperatures, densities, ice conditions, etc., ; (3) the
reduction of this information to such shape and its puldication
in such form as will prove of highest value to commerce ani1
navigation.
The inforimtion in questmion iH obtained entirely thru :t sys-
tem of voluntary cooperation with the Bureau on the part of
the vessels of the naval m c l nierchant marine of every mari-
time nationality on the globe, a specilically tlesignated O ~J -
server aboard each cooperat,ing \ esse1 being under instructions
from master or owner to furnish the Bureau with certain
daily observations, to wit, a statement of the meteorogical
question.
Blank forms (Form No. 1201-0. &I.) for recording the ob-
sermtions and franked return envelops for inclosing these
forms are provided by the Bureau. By the courtesy of the
Department of State, moreover, forms left at any American
Consulate are forwarded with the official consular mail. Thus,
in 110 case is the observer put to the expense of postage. No
irist,riiment,s are proviclecl, the intention being that the ob-
server shall in each case employ those belonging to the vessel
to which he is attached, the policy of the Bureau in this re-
spect being to encourage owners, for the sake of their own
interests, to provide a suitable instrumental outfit.
Nir.niber y" cooprotting nin~me ohsewem.-The total number of
vessels that have furnished meteorological reports (Form No.
1201-0. AI.) during the past year is, 1,216, distributed as
follo\vs:
British ........................................... 633
American. ........................................ 193
Gerin an ......... ....................... 148
............................. 53
Dutch ........................................... 41
Danish.. .......................................... 31
Italian ............................ ............ 30
....................... ........... 7
....................... ........... 15
Austrian ......................................... I d
Norwegian ............................ ..... 11
Belgian .......................................... 9
Russian .......................................... 6
Port Ug" ese ..........................
Chinese ..............................
Cuban. ............................................ 9
.......... a Argentina.. ..................................... 1
HaStian ........................................... 1
Total ...................................... 1,816
The total number of meteorological reports (Form No.
1301-0. AI. ) returned by these cooperating observers during
the year was 8,5S8, distributed over the various oceans as
follows :
North Atlantic.. ................................. 7,061
South Atlantic.. ................................... 421
North Pacific ..................................... 984
Sonth Pacific! ........ 211
Indian ............................................ 111
..................
Total ...................................
As an illustration to owners and observers of the instru-
meuts required by the service, each of these ofices has been
furnished a wet and bry-bulb thermometer, with protecting
louvre, suitable for use aboarcl ship. Four of them, viz, New
Tork, Philaclelphia, Baltimore, and Norfolk have received
mnrine barometers of the type recommended by the Bureau,
provided with a special suspension and protecting case, the
device of Prof. C. F. Rlarrin, by means of which the barome-
ter is safely housed except when in actual use. Fourteen (14)
siinilar baromet,ers remain in tmhe hands of the manufacturers
awaiting transportation (necessarily by hand) to the local
offices for which they are destined. It is also the intention to
furnish each of the loc,al ottices engaged in this work with the
apparatus devised by Rfr. James Page, for determining the
local direction and force of the wind from the deck of a rapidly
moving vessel, a imtter which has hitherto been a cause of
considerable inaccuracy in meteorological observations at sea.
As evidence of its appreciation of the voluntary ant1 arduous
services rendered by these cooperating marine observers, and
as an inducement to further edorts on their part, the Bureau
has during the past year awarded to such of them as have
APPENDIX. MOKTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. P11
~ ~~~~~~~~ ~
___~~ ~ ~
Station.
__
Portland, nIe .......... ............................
Philadelphia, Pa.. .............................................. kaltimore, Md.. ................................................. Washington, D. C' ..............................................
.................................................. Boston, Mass New Tor%. N. T. .................................................
..................
................ ................. .................. ........................
Total .....................................................
~~~~
-
~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~ ~
Forill NO. I?UI-O. nr.
Expemled. Kewi! ral.
~
_.
~
75 44 294 '1XY L', "''6
651 411
363 296
6, S I X 4. .?YO
105 86
16 4
16 1;
53 24
64 5
14 1
21 12
4li!l 26
24 4
3 2 lfiS
1!45 1 R i
1 fi" 36
140 YX H7i 52
6s" ?:I3
6S 26
SI1 19
2,530
~---
13,459 8.5%
~~~___________
the year, and in the case of the south Atlantic Ocean is now
practically completed for the months of January, February,
March, April, May, and June, the period covered estending
from 18SS to 1906. Under date of April 15, 1907, the Chief
of the Bureau of Equipment, Navy Department, requested the
aid of the Weather Bureau in revising the information pub-
lished upon the monthly Pilot C'harts of the north Pacific
Ocean, issued by the United States Hydrographic Ofice. I n
compliance with this request the tabulation of the observa-
tions for the north Pacific Ocean was unclertaken, and the re-
sult mill be furnished the Bureau of Equipment for publica-
tion upon the monthly Pilot, C h r t x for the year 1908.
I n addition to the al)ove the Bureau has, a t monthly inter-
vals during the year, furnished the Bureau of Equipment,
Navy Department, with the following information for publica-
tion upon the Pilot Charts:
1. A statement of the region and average monthly frequency
of fog over the north Atlantic Ocean during the %year period,
lSF)S-l!~OB.
2. A statement of the region and monthly average frequency
of gales over the north Atlantic Ocean clnring the 10-year
period, 189-19M.
3. A. chart showing the positions of the center, upon succes-
sive days, of all important cyclonic storiiis that have occurred
during each month of the 5-year period, 1902-1906, within the
liinits of the north Atlantic Ocean.
WIGELESS TELEGRAPHIC WEATHER SERVICE.
The essential feature of this service is the collection by wire-
less telegraphy of meteorological observations from vessels
a t sea, and the dispatch by the mine means to vessels a t sea
of weather forecasts and storm warnings based upon the ob-
servations thus collected.
The following vessels, all equippecl with the AIarconi appa-
rahs, have been authorized to transmit to the Bureau the
record of the daily Greenwich mean noon meteorological 01)-
serrations, ancl have been supplied with the telegraphic code,
forms, etc., required for that purpose:
Siiierican Line: S. S. ,Veto York, Philailrlphia, St. Pntrl, St.
Loiris.
North German Lloyd: S. S. Grn r Rjr!.ficr.st, li'aiscr IPallielm
II, Krr isrr T l i l h ~l n i der Grime, Iironp riu: T l i 111 elm .
Hainburg American Line: 8. S. d n w i k a , Blzierher, Beirtuch-
ltritd. k%iseritt dtr!yi(sfn T'zcforitr.
Clunard Line: S. S. C'ai)tpaiiin, Camariia, C'aromn, Carpnthia,
Etriirin. Iwrnia, Parinoriia, S a x o ~i a , Slnito~i ia, Cltoriin, Umbria.
White Star Line: S. S. drahic, Baltic., Cpdric, Cdtic, C!yriric,
;lfnjestic, Ocfaitic, Trrrtoiiir.
Compagnie Cfenerale Transatlantique : S. S. L n Bretngiir, La
Lownirie, L a Prntwicr, LN Sciwir, L n Toirraiw.
d l l m Line : 8. S. Corsicmi, T7iotorian, Ti'rgin ian.
Canadian Pacific Stemuship Line: S. S. Empress nf Rritniri,
The privilege has also been extended to the following ves-
Pauaiua Railroad a d Steamship Company : S. S. A d i ~a w e ,
IIallory Line: S. S. C'o)irlto, De)itrer, ,S'm Jarirtto.
Also to the following equipped with the Massie system:
Pacific Steatuship C'ompany : S. S. Presidenr.
The Presidrnt is as far as known the only vessel on the Pa-
cific carrying wireless apparatus. Other vessels are said to be
in course of equipment, and the wireless weather service on
that coast in view of its supreme importance in the matter of
local forecasting will be prosecntecl with vigor.
The wireless telegraphic weather service and code have also
been adopted by the United States Navy Department, and all
vessels of the United States Navy are instructed to transmit
the daily weather dispatch while a t sea. The wireless tele-
Elll/)r?ss of Irelnwl.
sels equipped with the De Forrest system:
-4 I1 ia WP, Polo i t . Fitiariw, Port niri a.
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. APPENDIX P I
graphic stations controlled by the Navy Department are also
required to receive weather messages from merchant vessels
and to transmit them to the Bureau; likewise to dispatch the
weather forecasts and storm warnings issued by the Bureau to
vessels a t sea demanding them, free of cost.
The total number of wireless weather reports received dur-
ing the year from vessels at sea was 738. Of this number 679
from transatlantic liners distributed along the route between
Sandy Hook and longitude U0 west.
INSTRUMENTS.
Skion eqiiipnients.-For a number of years past it has been
the policy of the Bureau to equip all the regular telegraphic sta-
tions with complete sets of automatic instruments for recorcl-
ing the temperature and pressure of the air, rainfall, sunshine,
and the velocity and direction of the wind. This work has
been carried forward gradually as funds were available, and
all the important stations are now fully supplied. The same
uniform type and character of equipment is also issued to all
new stations. The installation of automatic river-stage indi-
cators referred to in my last annual report has been extended
to the stations a t St. Louis, Mo., and Pittsburg, Pa.
During the last year the Bureau made an extensive display
of instrumental apparatus, charts, photographs, etc., exhibiting
its work at the Western Pennsylvania Exposition held a t
Pittsburg. This entire exhibit, with additional features, was
reinstalled at Jamestown. All this work has been under the
immediate supervision of Prof. C. F. Marvin, Chief of the In-
strument Division.
Extensive improvements are now nearly completed in the
instrumental equipment of the Washington station, and ar-
rangements have been effected for the consolidation in one
observatory room of the instruments employed in making
regular observations and those heretofore maintained espe-
cially for exhibit and instructional purposes.
New apparatus and iniprouenients.--Careful attention has
always been given by the Instrument Division to the develop-
ment of new forins of apparatus, the improvement of old
instruments, and their better adaptation to the special require-
ments of the work of the Bureau. During the past yearmuch
important work of this character has been accomplished, of
which the following items deserve special mention:
(1) The construction of an improved recording wind vane,
such as employed a t all regular stations. In this ball bear-
ings are substituted for the antifriction wheel bearings previ-
ously employed, and a simplified construction of the electrical
contact-making mechanism is provided. The idea has been to
reduce the size of the apparatus ancl make it wholly self-con-
tained, so that worn and damaged parts may be more readily
replaced and the entire vane and recording attachments can
be easily set up or removed as a unit. Heretofore the vane
has been a relatively large affair and the recording mechanisms
separately connected, so that repairs and renewal of parts are
not so easily effected.
(2) The completion and testing of a mechanically-recording
mercurial barograph of great precision. I n this instrument
the record is magnified five times and very slight oscillations
of pressure are accurately recorded and measurable on the
diagram. The instrument is fully compensated for tempera-
ture.
(3) Considerable attention has been given to the subject of
measuring and recording evaporation from free water surface,
and an experimental tank has been provided with an electrical
float device which operates to maintain the water in the tank
constantly at exactly the same level. I f the water evaporates
and lowers the level, a suficient auantity of water to restore the
level is admitted thru a tipping*bucke[, by which the quantity I
of water admitted may bemeasured and recorded. So like- apparatus shLws direciy the pressure of the aqueous vapor,
wise during rainfall the excess of water is drawn from the, the readings being given in thousandths of an inch.
tank ancl measured and remrded by means of another tipping
bucket. When these experiments were well advanced the
Bureau took up the great project of evaporation studies at the
Salton Sea, as described elsewhere in this report. The results
of Professor Marvins work, including certain micrometers, hair
hygrometers, psychrometers, anemometers, and apparatus de-
vised for that work, have been turned over to Prof. Frank H.
Bigelow, in charge of the Salton Sea evaporation project.
About 20 sets of the instruments needed for making mete-
orological observations aboard ships at sea were prepared for
installation st Weather Bureau offices in maritime exchanges
and elsewhere. The Bureau does not supply any instruments
for its ocean meteorological work, and the objects in view in
exhibiting these sets of instruments at maritime centers is to
show interested persons the most suitable instruments for the
purpose, and how they may be best installed and used. The
instruments comprise a high grade mercurial barometer of
the marine type, swung in gimbals, and a set of wet and dry-
bulb mercurial thermometers, mounted within a small lou-
reredl shelter of appropriate construction. The barometer is
mounted within a mahogany case by means of a special sup-
port of such construction that the barometer can be swung
free, and the pressure observed independent of the motion of
the ship. The instrument thereafter can be readily replaced
and secured within the case, where it is completely preserved
from accidental injury. A single model of a device invented
by Mr. James Page, formerly in charge of the Division of Ocean Meteorology, for deducing the true force and direc-
tion of the wind aboard moving vessels a t sea, was also made
in the shops of the Instrument Division. The rapid mo-
tion of fast going ocean vessels sets up such a strong apparent
wind that the true force and direction of the wind are diffi-
cult to observe, and are often incorrectly reported. The de-
vice in question enables the desired result to be deduced
from the apparent wind ancl the known motion of the vessel.
(5) Important improvements have been macle in the weigh-
ing mechanisms of the recording rain and snow gage, of
which a limited number have been in use a t important sta-
tions of the Bureau. The automatic balance has been simpli-
fied ancl entirely reconstructed, and its capacity increased.
The weighing parts of the mechanism can now be completely
dismantled, for cleaning, and be replaced in a few minutes.
(6) Elaborate detail working drawings have recently been
completed, under the direction 6f Professor Marvin, for an auto-
matic kite reel of great power and capacity. In scientific
kite flying to great elevations, an elaborate automatic reel-
ing mechanism, for managing the steel piano wire with which
the kites are held, is indispensable. I n the design now re-
ferred to, a capacity of over 50,000 feet of wire, 0.04 inch in
diameter, is provided in the storage drum, with an estimated
resistance to crushing of nearly one million pounds. This
great strength is necessary to withstand the cumulative
crushing strain due to winding mauy thousands of feet of
wire under tension. The reel is driven by a variable speed
electric motor, and the wire is automatically guided and dis-
tributed systematically over the face of the drum. The
length of the wire unwound, and the amount on the drum,
are shown by means of suitable indicators, and a specially de-
vised dynamometer indicates the tension upon the line a t all
times, whether the wheel is in motion or a t rest.
(7) The exact measurement of the moisture contents of the
atmosphere is one of the most difficult meteorological obser-
vations that have to be made, especially at low temperatures
and in contracted quarters, ani1 where great exactness is
necessary, as in many special studies. Experiments are now
in progress with a new apparatus for this purpose, which
ilromises to vield very accurate and useful results. The
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. [I31
LIBRARY.
Thru exchange for Weather Bureau publications or by gift
there have been received 105 periodicals, 705 books and pam-
phlets, daily weather maps from 17 foreign meteorological
services, and weekly and monthly summaries from 59 foreign
meteorological services or observatories. Numerous dupli-
cates and publications not relating to meteorology and not
retained in our library are not included in the above enumera-
tion; such publications have either been returned to their
authors or donated to other libraries.
The total number of permanent accessions during the year,
including bound files of periodicals, was 1,028. The total num-
ber of accessioned titles in the library has now reached 27,173.
The marked increase in the number of publications received
thru exchange is largely clue to the systematic effort that has
been made to collect the most detailed climatological data
from
whose climate is but little known. The extension of the work
of the library along these lines has been in response to an in-
creasing demand for such data. Especially urgent have been
the requests from the Bureau of Plant Industry, in connection
with its work of plant introduction. Thousands of plants
are now received annually by that Bureau from its trained
explorers in foreign countries, and it is of the highest impor-
tance to know, for each plant, the climate of its natural habitat,
in order to determine the section of our own country in which
it is most likely to succeed. The work of collecting ancl colla-
ting such data has been carried on by the assistant librarian,
Mr. C. F. Talman, who has contributed numerous paper along
this line to the Monthly Weather Review, including much
information obtained by personal correspondence and not,
therefore, available in printed form.
Frequent requests heve also been made by investigators
during the past year for temperature aud .rainfall records es-
tending over a long period of years. These requests have, in
general, been satisfactorily met. Bibliographers have also con-
sulted this library for works on meteorology not to be found
elsewhere in this country.
The general bibliographic work, including the publication
in the Monthly Weather Review of lists of .Recent additions
to the Weather Bureau Library , and Recent papers bearing
on meteorology , has been continued as heretofore, with the
addition of weekly lists in manuscript for use of the officials
at the Central Office.
During the winter the assistant librarian made an unofficial
visit to some of the principal meteorological libraries of Europe
and gathered material toward a select bibliography of recent
meteorological literature that he has undertaken. This work
will aim to present a carefully selected and annotated list of
the most useful publications relating to each branch of mete-
orology, and will greatly facilitate the work of replying to the
numerous requests for bibliographic information which are re-
ceived from the observers of the Weather Bureau, from authors,
and from teachers and students planning courses in meteoro-
The librarian, Mr. Herbert H. Kimball, has brought the
library of the Weather Bureau up to a higher standard of use
and effectiveness than it has heretofore attained. He has also
performed the duties of supervising examiner in all matters
pertaining to examinations for promotion, and has maintained
a series of observations in solar radiation, during the year, he
being especially trained and well fitted for this latter import-
ant duty.
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS.
The routine work of checking the receipt of the various
meteorological reports, the examinations of the daily, monthly,
and annual summaries rendered by the numerous regular and
cooperative observers of the Bureau, the preparation of the
usual tables, charts, and other matter for the Monthly Weather
ali parts of the world; especially from those re, 010ns
logy.
Review and the Annual Report (quarto volume), furnishing
information upon weather subjects to private individutlls,
public institutions, for use in courts, etc., and tabulating in
the permanent records of the Bureau the more important me-
teorological data from the various points of observation have
all been promptly done in the Division of Meteorological
Records.
Correspondence with individuals and companies desiring
information as to the climate of various portions of the country
has largely increased over previous years, about one thousand
five hundred such requests having been received during the
past twelve months.
Many of these requests can be answered by forwarding to
the applicants copies of tho publications of the Bureau, but
numerous others required the copying and collating of data
from the original reports.
On account of the numerous requests for information, espe-
cially as to rainfall, from certain localities now being rapidly
settled, it has been found convenient to have printed, short
extracts for representatjve districts, giving for each detailed
information regarding its salient climatic features. Similar
extracts for other important localities will be prepared as the
demands require.
NEW MYSTEM OF NORNALR.
During the past ten year8 the meteorological data of pres-
sure, temperature, and vapor tension have been revised by
Professor Bigelow, with a view of reducing them to homoge-
neous systems. The result of this work on barometry was
published in 1902, and the data contained therein form the
basis for the reduction to sea level of the barometer readings
which appear on the daily weather maps. The recomputation
of the temperature data, and the determination of normals
referred to a 33-year record are now complete and ready for
publication.
The vapor tension normals will be finished during the cur-
rent year. Daily normals of the temperature, and also of the
rainfall, have been furnished to all stations for use in climato-
logical studies.
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
The Monthly Weather Review is regularly published, and
the Chief of Bureau has to acknowledge the kindness of those
meteorologists who have contributed excellent articles, such
as the following:
cThe Mount Rose weather observatory, by Prof. J. E.
Church, jr., of the University of Nevada.
The meteorological optics of Prof. J. &I. Pernter, by
Prof. R. TV. Wood, of Johns Hopkins University.
cVariations in temperature over a limited area , by Prof.
W. I. Milham, of Williams College.
The zodiacal light, by Prof. Arthur Searle, of Harvard
University.
The direction of local winds as affected by contiguous
areas of land and water , by T. H. Davis.
&A rare cumulus cloud of lenticular form, by H. H.
Clayton.
The formation of anchor ice , by Prof. H. T. Barnes, of
McGill University.
 The difference of temperature between Mount Royal and
McGill College Observatory , by Profs. C. H. McLeod and
H. T. Barnes.
( The Adirondack rainfall summit , by R. E. Horton.
 The growth of fog in unsaturated air , by F. W. Proctor.
Rainfall and outflow above Bohio, in the valley of the
 Rainfall ancl run-off of the Catskill Mountain region , by
The temperature in anticyclones , by H. H. Clayton.
The meteor of March 14, 1906, over central New York ,
Chagres , by Gen. H. L. Abbot.
Thaddeus Merriman.
by Prof. H. A. Peck, of Syracuse University.
APPENDIX P41 MONTHLY WEATHER R,EVIEW.
<<A proposed new method of weather forecasting, by
H. H. Clayton.
 The depression in the solar radiation , by Ladislas Gor-
czynski.
Among the new features in the Monthly Weather Review
has been the addition of the regular chapter on Ocean Mete-
orology , by the chief of that division, formerly Mr. James
Page, now Mr. H. L. Heiskell.
Among the special contributions by Weather Bureau offi-
cials may be mentioned:
LIClimatology of Porto Hico from 1867 to 1905 . bp W. H.
Alesander.
The relation of the weather to the flow of streams, by
F. H. Brandenburg.
Phenomenal rainfall a t Guinea, Va., by E. A. Evans.
Suggestions as to teaching the science of the weather ,
by J. Warren Smith.
.* The study of practise forecasting , by J. L. Bartlett.
Salton Sea and the rainfall of the Southwest , by Prof.
A. J. Henry.
Villards theory of the aurora , by W. R. Blair.
I n order that men a t stations may be kept informed of the
progress of meteorology outside the Weather Bureau, the
librarian contributes to the Review monthly lists of additions
to the Weather Bureau library, and of papers bearing on
meteorology, while the assistant librarian Contributes reviews
of the progress of climatology.
Owing to the great stimulus recently giren to the study of
earthquakes, the Monthly Weather Review has published a
number of articles by Prof. C. F. Marvin on that subject.
Prof. F. H. Bigelow has continued the publication of his
studies on the waterspout in Vineyard Souncl.
The West Indian hurricane of September, 1906, that was so
destructii7.e a t Pensacola and Mobile, has been treated by
Prof. E. B. Qarriott.
Mr. W. J. Bennett has published an article on the harnionic
analysis of the diurnal variation of pressure at Washington,
D. C.
Mr. C . F. von Herriuann has presented a series of probleiiis
in meterology, with their solutions, which has been highly ap-
preciated by those engaged in educational work; and also an
article on the velocities of centers of high and low pressure
in the United States.
Prof. H. J. Cos has contributed an account of his visits to
meteorological services in Europe.
As the Monthly Weather Review goes to all regular and
cooperative observers of the Bureau, and also to those who in
eschange send their own publications to the library. its circu-
lation is slowly increasing. Its usefulness is evidenced hy the
desire exprest on all sides to obtain complete sets of this piib-
lication. A small collection of back numbers is held for use
in eschangefi, for the purpose of securing rare meteorological
works for the Weather Bureau library.
Work on a general index of the Monthly Weather Review,
including also nieteorological items in the annual reports and
other publications, has progressed as fast as practicable in
the hands of A h . Stetson and Mr. Mills, and the work is now
so nearly completed that the manuscript will be transmitted
for publication in a few weeks.
An elaborate report on the formation of frostwork and ice,
by Mr. W. A. Bentley, is now being revised by the author,
preparatory to its publicatiou a t an early date.
Inasmuch as the Monthly Weather Review goes to all the
technical meteorologists of the world, and as there is no
equivalent medium of communication among English-speaking
meteorologists, and as i t is necessary to stimulate the study
and solution of many most dificult problems in the physics of
the atmosphere, it has been thought proper to occasionally
allow the publication of highly technical papers that are offered.
Meteorology may be lookt a t from a statistical, climatological
point of view; or, again, with an eye to its relation to agricul-
ture ancl other hiininn industries; but i t is fundamentally a
study of the laws that govern atmospheric phenomena, and it
is necessary for the Weather Bureau to encourage and nfisist
researches that are directed toward the estaldishment of these
laws, as distinguished from those superficial ideas which are so
prevalent, and which exaggerate the influence of the moon and
stars, the Gulf Stream, the cultivntion of the soil, and many
other matters that are of iiiinor importance in meteorology.
THE TEACHING O F RIETEOIiOLOGT.
A Hteaclly iucrease of iuterest in meteorological eclucation is
inauifest thruout the country, as, in fact, thruout other civil-
ized nations. In general, instruct,ion in meteorology is con-
sidered as a part of the course8 in geology, geography, or
physical geography ; but in two universities, George Wash-
ington and Uornell, courses have been offered in the higher
mathelmtics and physics that constitute the fundamental basis
of meteorology.
During 1906 there were fourteen universities, colleges, and
scientific. schools in which regular courses of instructions were
given by Weather Bureau officials, and in five or six more the
matter was in abeyance. Also there were at lease forty oficihls
besides those conducting the above mentioned courses who
gave occasional lectures or addresses.
TELEGRAPH DIVISION.
The number of miles of telegraph ant1 telephone lines
operated by the Weather Bureau remains the same as a t the
close of last year; riz, 637, inclusive of about 96 miles of sub-
marine cables.
As during former years, these lines rendered valuable ser-
vices in obtaining aid for shipping in distress, in reporting
inlJounc1 and outbound vessels to owners, maritime aasocia-
tions, etc., ancl by afforcliug in most cases to residents of
isolated places and others the only means of telegraphic COIII-
iiiuuication. This latter feature was forcibly brought to notice
by the loss of the steamer Lwchmoiif near Block Island on the
night of February 11, 1%)7, which involxecl the loss of about
150 lives. The Weather Bureau cable from Block Island to
the mainland furnished the only available telegraph facilities
to the survivors for communicating with relatives ancl friends,
ancl to the press for giving prompt information to the public.
Nearly :34,000 words of press matter were cabled from the island
in connection with this &Raster.
The Hatteras and Nantucket sections also serve as important
connecting links between wireless and commercial telegraph
systems.
-4 new submarine cable, 14 miles long, was laid across Ore-
gon Inlet. N. U., on .July 24. 1906. under the siipervision of
the chief of the Telegraph Division. The old cable across the
inlet had a bad leak in its insulatiou, and was so heavily sanded
that i t coulcl not be repaired.
On August %i, l!M, the submarine telephone cable between
Charleiois ancl Beaver Island, Nich., was broken and badly
damaged by the steamship IULtiois, belonging to the Northern
RIichigan Trnnsportatiou Company. The chief of the Tele-
graph Dii ision repaired the cable on September 6, 1906
No extensive repairs to land lines were necessary during the
year. nor are aiiy contemlilated for the coming year, except on
the Tatoosh Island line where it is hoped that the work now
under way will iilaterially iacreake the efficiency of this im-
portant. h i t exceedingly cli6cult section to maintain.
The ChTernment receipts from a11 lines for commercial ines-
sages handled during the year amounted to $3.393.18.
PRINTIN(:.
The printing of the iUontlily Weather Review, Daily Weather
&ps, National Weather Bulletins, snow and Ice Charts, and
the regular forms, lins continued as heretofore.
APPENDIS.
Rlock Island. R. I .. ........................... Rurlingtou, Y t .. .............................
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
1.034. 50
(b ) ?U.IIu
The work of printing and wrapping blank station maps,
forecast cards, and rural free delivery slips, the greater por-
tion of which has previously been done a t the Government
Printing Office, was, during the year just closed, performed
exclusively in the Weather Bureau printing office.
In compliance with Executive Orders, all mailing lists have
been thoroly purged  and revised, and such publications
as have a price affist, except blank weather maps, have been
turned over to the superintendent of documents.
EXAMINATIONS FOR PROMOTION.
Under this heading, in my last annual report, reference was
made to the faulty grainmatical construction very generally
found in essays submitted in connection with the examination
in English grammar. So many of the younger employees
failed to present satisfactory essays, t h a t i t mas decided to
advance this test from the first to the second grade of esami-
nations. Commencing with the esaininations of May, 1907,
essay writing, therefore, appears as a separate subject. Em-
ployees mho have not hac1 the advantages of thoro training in
English composition will not be barred from promotion to the
$1,000 grade, but they will be expected to satisfactorily meet
the required grammatical tests before receiving further ad-
vancement.
The following table gives the number of esaiuination 1mpers
marked during the year:
Number of eniployeex ezamined.
Total .................... 31
Snhjevt.
32 1 1?2 :;J 1 158
~
124 30
NEW STATIONS.
The bill making appropriation for the support of the Weather
Bureau for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1907, makes no
provision for the establishment of additional weather sta-
tions, this provision, whicfi was included in the bills for pre-
vious years, having been eliminated by Congress. There is,
however, a large clemancl for these stations, and many COIII-
inunications are on file in the Weather Bureau 1)-etitioning f w
their estsldishment. I n many cases the results to be secured
would not justify the expense on the part of the Government;
in others large agricultural, commercial, and marine interests
would largely profit. Stations might advantageously be
located at the following-named places: Uorinth. Miss. ; Fort
Wayne, Incl. ; Lansing, Mich. ; Mount Washington, N. H. ;
Pikes Peak, Colo.; Sandy Hook, N. J.; Wallace, Idaho; Houston,
Tes., and Sitka, Alaska.
OBSERVATORY BUILDINGS.
Forty-eight TVeather Bureau observatory buildings are
ownetl by the Government, including the group of nine build-
ings at Mount Weather, Va. Most of these builclings hare
been erected or remodeled during the past ten years, and are
well adapted for meteorological purposes. Tlie escept,ions are
small builclings on Mount Washington, N. H., and at Kitty-
hawk, N. C!. The former has not heen occupied in recent
years and is now in a ciilapidatecl condition, but it is likely
that observations on Mount Washington may be resumed, in
which event this building may be used by the contractor while
a suitable building is being erected. The building at Kitty-
hawk was formerly used as a telegraph and repair station on
the Government telegraph line extending between Cape Henry
and Cape Hatteras. It is little niore than a shack and is of
practically no value, but it serves as a shelter for parties en-
gaged in repairing the telegraph line.
The following table shows where the Weather Bureau build-
ings are located, and gives the cost of the buildings and
grounds:
Building8 ourned by the Weather Bureau.
Location.
Iola. Kanv ................................. Jtipiter, Fla.. .............................. Kev \Vest Fla ...... .................... Kitt.yhsw.k, N. C . __. .................... La 1~iosse. \Vis ................................. hlodeun, Ut ah. .................................
I hlo iiu t \\eat her, Va. :
Adrniuistratiou huildinr: jinvlu4ling towr,r
aual tauk). .............................. .I Power house and hallson building.. ........ Abdute h i l d i n g . ......................... Variatidtu Iwilding.. ....................... , Sbnhle ...................................... Barn ...................................... ge kbr wurklueu.. ................. cal Ixbor:rtorg ....................... grand oHii.e ......................... asbiugtou, N. H ............ Naut.ucbret. hiass.. ................... Narragauxkt Pier, I:. I ........................ North Head, Wash ............................ ...........................
pri nglield. I I I ................................. Tatnosh Island Wash \\.ashingtou D. C
~ellnwstonePar~, ~y ,. ....................... Tuwa, Ariz ...................................
......................... ..............................
Total.. .................................. .I 34,435.55 I
Cost >f boildinga.
$6,503.00
13.060.69
5,991.00
16.1211.56
10 055. RD
7: 668. 25
5,118. 90
10,043, 50
9, 2%. 45
9,565. OR
9, 165.00
i. 131. 50
7,430.6s
4. xs9. 75
5.0S7. Ob
9,77i. 64
6,346.90
7,994.7.5
1 .m . on 18,335.33
4,346.00
20,971.12
b, 167.00
7,000. M 8, m. 05
I,!Iuo.OO
900.00
1,300 00
27, O M . b9
6,YOO.OO
m .n o .L,i?9. S.5
8,036.50
3. S?O. 13
3,SlS. 50
l(l.520 25
i, Bi5. SO
730.94
2,875. on
5,5!13.00
2, :IM. 12
l?, Ob7.40
5,211. 22
10,236.50
5,000.00
l i 4 , 11,156.00 950. 79
I,~IJO. 00
87,758.00
5,991. no
10, 9 5 .9 9
1J,S60.44
5,619. YO
16,191.06
3, r o 2 . 75
10,063. SO
9.292.45
12,601. S3
12.961.00
9.640.55
9.472.38
5,106.75
6, %8.C8
12,018.89
6, 346. 90
10.014.75
1,616.00
15,846.83
4.346.00
32,834.21
7,000.00
9,904.55
1,!IO0.00
goo. 00
1,300.00
8,817.00
27, OH3. 89
6, SOIL 00
300. 00
I?, 158.25
3,818.50
7,929.50
$32. Y4
5, 69% 00
4,7211.5s
3, e%. I3
10,559.15
2, 87.5. no
i~,in:1.15 3,994.12
5 ,z I . 22
10,236.50
5.uJo.00
17,l,Y50. 79
11,156.00
1,50(1.00
(I cT<,rei umwt reser\aticm
e Lenwd.
h D<nuatrrl-figiir?a Irprescut ~v s t of title transfer.
d ~ulldiugand grouuol purcliasrd a- a whole. P .id<litioital Lroiiiid piin hawl.
It will be noted that at several places the buildings were
erected on Government reservations; a t others on ground
donated to the Government.
N w buiklitwys i-ccott~ iiieiidt~d.- I am of the opinion that the
construction of observatory buildings should be continued
until one is located at each of the principal stations of the
service, where accurate and reliable observations are so neces-
sary in the preparation of forecasts and warnings, and in sup-
plying accurate meteorological data to large commercial com-
munities. Their atlvantage over ofice buildings and public
buildings, whose architecture in most cases unfits them for a
satisfactory exposure of meteorological instruments, can not
be gainsaid, and their maintenance per annuin mill not mate-
rially esceerl the rental cost of ofices in private buildings.
and in many cases be less. It is not desirable that all of the
Observatory buildings that are required be erected at one
time. The work can be done to better advantage if a few are
erected each year. I ain of the opinion that observatories
should be erected in the near future at the following places:
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
Inclepeudence, Cal.. ..... kaliupel Mont ........... Leaisto;. Idaho.. ....... rdanteo N. c ............ Moorheh, Minu.. ....... hfouut Tamalpais, Clal ...
APPENDIX
360.00 860.00
IhLDo
600.00
420.00
~0 .0 0
Abilene, Tex, ; Cheyenne, Wyo. ; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbia,
Mo. ; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Lansing, Mich.; Mount Washington,
N. H.; Neah Bay, Wash.; Pikes Peak, Colo.; Sandy Hook,
N. J.; Sitka, Alaska; Houston, Tex., and in the vicinity of St.
Paul and Minneapolis, Minn.
Rented buildings.-At certain stations where observatory
buildings are not owned by the Government, and where it
seemed advisable in the interests of efficient service, a small
building or 8 suite of rooms have been rented in order to
secure office space and living quarters for the observers.
This is economical to the Government and results in better
service, because the rent paid in most instances is less than
the cost of office rooms in business blocks, the salary paid to
an official provided with living quarters is less than would be
given him if such quarters were not furnished, and good
exposures for instruments are obtained.
Mount Weather bttiLdzngs.-The construction of buildings at
Mount Weather, Va., was exhaustively investigated during the
year by the House Committee on Expenditures in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, by whom the scope of the work being
carried on a t that place was considered. A summary of the
committees report is contained in Report No. 81.17, Fifty-ninth
Congress, Second Session; it concludes as follows:
The discretion as to where the stations are to be located is left with
the Secretary of Agriculture. All the law and precedents seem to us,
therefore, to fully justify the Secretary of dgriculture in everything that
he has done in regard to the establishment of Weather Bureau stations
and in regard to the erection of buildings for the accommodation of such
stations as needed buildings-whether one or more.
* I I * t * *
We are of the opinion that with so much money being annually spent
in the making of forecasts and storm warnings. which everyone agreefi
have a great value to the various industries of the country, it is a wise
economy to devote a reasonable amount of money to the carrying nu of
experimentation at one of the many stations of the Weather Bureau, RO
that the science that is back of the art of forecasting may tje improved,
and that thereby the annual expenditures for the support. of the Weather
Bureau may have a greater value to the people. We find no evidence OP
extravagance or misapplication of funds in the creation of the institu-
tion at Mount Weather, which we believe to have been worthily conceived
and the plans 80 far to have been efficiently executed.
Rented buildings occupied wholly by the Weather Bureau.
_-
I
Station.
Alpeua. Mich ............ Basseterre, St. Kitts ..... Bridgetuwn, Barbados ... Cur ao W. I . ........... Del ?io; Tex.. ........... Duraugo Colo ...........
Helena Moot ............ Honolth, Hawaii.. ....
East Claham Wauh ..... Flagstaff, A& ...........
Annual rent.
$650.00
12o.ou
1%. 00 260.00
444.00
4.lo.00
120.00
300.00
604.00
1,020.00
Pysht Wash.. ...........
Roswell N. M a r ......... San Ju& P. R ...........
Thom~ville, C,; .........
Rosebkg. Oreg .........
Banto Dohingo W. I ....
Tonopah Nev ............ Twin W h ............. Wi1li;too N. Dak ........ \vinnemurcs, Nev .......
Tutal.. ..............
144.00
550.00 720.00
684.00
240.00
420. 00 1,2w.00 106.00 510.00
360.00
Olher items included.
Heat, light. water. One room; observatory platform ou cupola; janitor. One room; cleaner water. Three rooms; cleaier, light, water, ice, bridge tolls.
Heat light water. Heat: light: water. Water.
,Steam heaatiog plant, water.
Six rooms heat cleauer light janitor aud pvrter
Wster. service, bectric rurrent for An, storage.
Heat light water. Heat: light, water, frre trauspctatiou of Govern-
Water. Heat, light, water. He;rt, cleauer, water Four rooins; light, wakr. Five aiirl one-half rooms.
ment empluyees and supplies.
Water. Heat, cleaner, light, nater. Heat, light, water.
The physical laboratory building and the cottage and office
building at Mount Weather, Va., included in the list, nre not
completed, and further work on them is dependent upon appro-
priation by Congress for this purpose. The walls of the physi-
cal laboratory building are completed, the roof and metal
cornice work nearly finished, the window sashes are OQ the
ground but not in place, and a small part of the pipes for the
heating apparatus is installed. The porch, exterior painting,
platform, grading, and all of the interior work, including
plumbing, stairway, wiring, decorating, etc., remain undone.
It will require about $12,000, exclusive of furnishings, machin-
ery, and apparatus, to complete this building. The cottage
and ofice building is under roof and all exterior work except
the porches and the painting is done. The interior work is
partly done. The trimming, painting, plastering, decorating,
and the installation of the plumbing fixtures are unfinished.
The heating pipes are in place and the boiler and radiators
on hand ready for installation. The matmerid for the stairway,
trimming, plastering, etc., is a t hand. It will require about
$3,000 to complete the building and grading. I have, there-
fore, recommended that the sum of $15,000 to complete the
two unfinished buildings at Mount Weather, Va., Le included
in the estimate of appropriations for the next fiscal year.
Obsertiatories under coustrzrclion.-The list also includes ob-
servatories at Anniston, Ala., Birmingham, Ala., Charles City,
Iowa, Iola, Kans., La Crosse, Wis., and Sheridan, TVyo., which
are in course of construction and will be completed by Sep-
tember 15, 1007.
Need-for obseruatory hrti1dings.-Experience during the past
thirty years has demonstrated the value of observatary builcl-
ings in the work of the Weather Bureau. They provide or
the taking of meteorological observations under favorable and
unchanging conditions. Records thus obtained are of prime
value for utilitarian purposes and indispensable to research.
In cities where the Government does not own observatory
buildings the offices are located in Government buildings or
in rented quarters. It is difficult to obtain suitable exposure
for meteorological instruments in such buildings because they
were not designed for meteorological purposes, and frequent
removals are necessary owing to the erection nearby of taller
builclings and for other causes which interfere with even a
fair exposure for instruments. Each change breaks the con-
tinuity of the records in so far as uniformity of conditions is
concerned, and makes comparison difficult, if not impossible.
The observatory buildings owned by the Government are de-
signed for the peculiar needs of the work of the Bureau, and
they are located on plats of ground of sufficient size to insure
satisfactory exposure for years to come. Their value, how-
ever, is not confined to securing reliable observations. They
contain ofice rooms well located and adopted for the dissemi-
nation of forecasts and information to the public, and living
quarters which enable an official to be constantly at hand to
care for the automatic recording instruments and respond to
the public demands for information. It has been the policy
to adjust the salaries of officials occupying these buildings so
that the living quarters are part compensation. This plan,
while i t operates satisfactorily in most cases, has some objec-
tionable features, and it is intended, if Congress renews the
appropriation for observatory buildings, to recommend that
in the future housekeeping quarters be not included therein,
except in buildings located at places where it is impracticable
to secure proper accommodations for observers off the Gov-
ernment premises, but that instead one to three rooms be fur-
nished to observers who will be in custody of the premises,
look after the automatic instruments, and respond to public
calls for information outside of the ordinary ofice hours.
This plan will permit of certain advantageous changes in the
architecture of the buildings and probably result in a lessen-
ing of the cost of construction. It may be advisable to elimi-
nate the kitchen and dining room features of the buildings
now in use as fast as conditions will warrant, and to devcte
the rooiiis now used for those purposes to office use.
ATPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. I i71
CHANGES IN THE FORCE O F THE BUREAU.
CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
Appointments :
Probationary- Assistant physicist at $1,400.. ....................
Pressmen at81350 ............................... 2
Clerks at $1,000.. ................................ 3
Printer at $1,000 ................................. 1.
Clerk at$900 .................................... 1
Copyist at $840 ................................. 1
Assistant observer at $840.. ...................... 1
Assistant observers at $720. ...................... 43
1
R !movals:
Causes-
Unsatisfactory conduct and services .............. Absence without authority ....................... Absence without authority and neglect of official
correspondence ................................ False statements in connection with the awarding
of a contract, receiving reimbursement from a
State government for an account settled by the
United States, and insubordination. ............ Insubordination .................................
Wilful neglect of duty. ........................... Dropt from the rolls after extended furloughs, ....
11 __ Repairmen a t $720
Fireman at8720 ................................ 1
Skilledlaborerat$600 ........................... 1
Messenger boys a t $650
Skilled laborer a t $450 .
Messenger boys at $360 ............. 34
Dropt from rolls at terrniuation of probationary period:
Causes--
UnsatisPactoay conduct and services .............. Physical inability to perform work required,
1
1 ......... ......
~
3
__ 102 Deaths ...................................................... 3
Transfer- Research observer at $1,400 ......................
Assistant observer at $1,000, ................... Printerat91.000 .................................
Research observer at $1,200. .....................
Reinstatement- Printer a t $1 ,M U ....................
....................
Under Sec. 3, Rule 2, Civil Service Act and Rules-
Temporary-
Espert in vessel reporting at $840.. ...............
Compositors a t $1,250 ...... .........
Clerksat$l,200 .................................. Skilled mechanic at $l,OUO ........................
Clerk a t $1,000. ....................... Printersat$l,WO ................................ Clerk at $900 ..............................
Folder and feeder a t $730 ......................
Skilled laborer a t $4
Messenger boys at$360 ..........................
Emergenvy- Pressmen at$1,250 ............................... Compositors at $1,250. .........................
Clerk a t $1,000 .................................. Copyist at 8840 . ....................
Clerk at$1,200 ..................................
......................
.....................
.....................
..................... Skilled laborer at $450 ...........................
Messenger at $450 ................ .........
~
...
UN('LASSIF1ED SERYICE.
1 Appointments : 1
1
Per 111 an en t -
ITnclassified laborers a t $60i).
TTllcl~ssified ht~orerf3 a t $680. ............
1
1 .............
- Y Student :tssihtants a t $300. ......
1
1
- 2
1
1
31
- 45
2
3
1
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1 __ Promotions. (All promotions were to the nest higher grade or by
certification for advancement from subclerical
positions with one exception wherein a skilled
mechanic was promoted from $1,000 to 61,4000 to
fill a temporary vacancyj ....................... 165
Reductions:
Causes- To grant assignment to preferretl station .........
Neglect of duty .................................. 3
1
1
1
1
1
2
motion examination.. .......................... 2
leave of absence without pay. .. ......... 6
fuel, and l i g h t .. ......... ............ 3
Voluntary. .. ......................... 82
Unsatisfactory ................. 1
Unsatisfactory ................. 1
Unsatisfactory conduct and services ..............
To eliminate the $1,500 grade. ....................
Inability to write climatological reports. .......... Numerous errors in meteorological work. .........
Ineligibility, unknown prior to promotion. ........
Necessitated by nest preceding cause.. ........... Negligence and irregularity in connection wit.h prn-
Necessitated by employee's return to duty from
d s an offset to Bureau for allowanc quarters,
~
Resignations :
Required b e a u s
3
Incompetency ................................... 1
3
1
4
~
7
2
Prormtions:
Reductions:
Cause-
(Each to nest higher grade) ............
Necessitated by eniployee's return to duty from leave
mitholitpa y .......................................... 1
Voluntary ............. ................. 5
Services 110 longer required. ............
Resignations:
N eniovals :
Cause-
1
ABSENCE.
dveroge with pay, per employee., during cnlender year, 1006.
Shtion. Sicliiwss. Annual leave.
(99 per cent males). . 1.0 clay. 7.1: days. Washington, I). C.
Males .............. 3.4 clays. 26.1 ).
Females,. .......... 3.6 '( 2t:.s "
Entire serric.e .... 1.9 '' 13.7 ' L
STATISTICS OF THE SERVICE.
The following tables ~h o m the numerical strength of the
Bureau nncl the highest, lowest, and average salaries paid in
the commissioned grades:
Nuntericd dtren.yth of the Weather Bioeun, Jzaie 30, 190;.
At Washington, I>. 0.:
18 Classified. ......................................... 175
Unclassified ....................................... 12
187
Outside of Washington, D. C . :
C:lassifiecl.. ...................................... 502
Unclassified .................................
Total commissioned employers. . Additional employees outside of Washin
Storm warning displaymen ......................... 175
River observers .. ........ 371
Cotton region observers. ........................... 143
Corn ancl wheat region obserrrrs ................... 133 Rainfall observers. ................................ 85
Sugar and rice region observers. ................... 9
Total nonconunissioner11 employees. ..................... 916
Tot,al pic1 employees ................................. a 1,618
Persons serving without compensation (except thru the dis-
tribution of Governinelit publications):
Cooperative observers :tu41 corresponrlents (omitting
83 under pay as river and rainfall ol.iservers, already
enunirrat,ed above). .............................. 5.311
Cooperative storm warning displaymen ............. 79
"
Total cooperatirefi.. .............................. 5.390
67 Total numerical strength.. .................... .c .. ...... b7,008
AR-3
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
CLASSIFIED GRADES.
Highest salary ......................................... w,nno
Average salary ................................................. 993
Highest 88 .............................. 600 Lowest sal .............................. 303
Average salary ............................................... .I 375
Lowest salary. ......................................... 360
I
lINCLABSlFIED GR.4DES.
I
APPENDIX
$.5,000
1,204
451)
720
?#I
49
DietriMon of the cinnmiaeioned force, June SO, 1907.
In Washington, D. C.: Accounts Division .................................. c 13
Climatological Division ................................. 7
Editor Monthly Weather Review. ........................ 3
Executive branch ........................................ c16
Forecast Division (including River and Flood Service). .... 14
Division of Ocean Meteorology 9
Instrument Division ..................................... 10
Library .............................. 4
Division of Meteorological Records ... 17
Miscellaneous Nechanical Work .......................... 5
Publications Division ................................... 45
Supplies Division ........................................ 10
Telegraph Division ...................................... 11
Captain of the Watch (under direction of the Chief Clerk) . .
Chief Cierk). ........................................... 18
G
General messenger and laborer service (under direction of
Total ................................................. 187
Outside of Washington, D. C.: 57 stations with 1 commissioned employee ...
55 stations with 2 commissioned employees . .
37 stations with 3 commissioned employees ............ 111
18 stations with 4 commissioned employees 10 stations with 5 commissioned employees ............ S J
9 stations with 6 commissioned employees ............ 54
3 stations with 8 commissioned employees ............ 34
1 station with 9 commissioned employees ............ 9
2 stations with 10 commissioned employees ............ 1 station with 14 commissioned employees ............ 14
2 stations with 7 commissioned employees ............ 14
20
~- -_
195 stations ............................................. d535
a This total embraces all paid persons connected with the Bureau on
June 30, 1907, except 20 commissioued employees on leave of absence or furlough without pay on t h a t date for three months or more. b In the Annual Report for 1906, page 22, fifteenth line, the words
&Total numerical strength should have read Total unpaid employers,
making the total numerical strength 10,188. Also 3,683 weather cor-
respondents were serving as cooperative observers and were counted twice. c One man devotes a portion of his time at the United States Capitol map stations. d This number represents the normal station force. On June 30, 191J7,
there were actually on regular duty but 515 employees.
I n addition to the foregoing there are 9 special observing
(one-man) stations in the West Indies, mainly in operation
during the hurricane season, a special observing station in
Alaska, and a special repair station in Washington operated
from October to April, inclusive.
The following salary table omits persons on duty a t special
observing and substations-where the salaries are $25 a month
or less, and where, as a rule, the tour of duty covers but a
small fraction of the day and only certain seasons of the year.
Salmie.9 paid in the coinniiaeioned grudes.
The actual numerical sterngth on June 3iJ, 1906, was 6,505.
(irades.
1 Juue 30, 1907.
Average salary for all (station and Washington) is $1,025.
It is desired to invite attention to the increasing dif-licdty
of recruiting the outside observing and messenger forces of
the Bureau, a condition which if allowed to continue will seri-
ously impair the efliciency of the service. While the total
station force has been increased by only 10 per cent since
1904, from 487 to 535, it has been necessary in the observing
farce alone to increase the yearly appointments by 114 per
cent, from 17 to 44, in order to maintain an effective working
strength. The separations from the service were about equally
divided between new appointees who soon became dissatisfied
with the prospects for advancement and older employees who
felt obliged to sever their connections with the Bureau in
order that they might better their financial conditions. I n
the case of the observing force the figures reported by the
Civil Service Commission as regards examinations show that
in the last two years there has been a marked falling off in
the number of persons taking the examinations and in the
percentage of those passing; while there has been a corre-
sponding increase in the number of appointments from the
eligible register. The figures are appended:
1904. 1905. 1906.1 1907.
Examined ......... 214 201 ... 180
Past ............... 104 112 ... 25
Appointed.. ....... 17 29 43 44
Bn additional examination was nec,essitated in 1907 by
the exhaustion of the eligible register. At the present rate
of appcktting this supplemental register will be exhausted
also a t an early date, all of the eligibles thereon having been
certified and more than one-half appointed as this report goes
to press. The mere clificulty of securing eligibles is not, how-
ever, the most serious phase of the matter. It will be noticed
that in 1904 and 1905 48 per cent and 55 per cent respectively,
of those taking the examinations past, while in 1907 but 14 per
cent past, and with relatively lower ratings, indicating a marked
falling off in the educational qualifications of those taking the
examinations, the scope of which remained the same. The
situation macle evident by the foregoing figures is particularly
cliscouragiag, since in a scientific bureau it is of first import-
ance t,hat the ranks be recruited from young men of education
and ability, preferably having scientific or technical training.
It is apparent that the low salaries and limited opportunities
for advancement which the Bureau can offer are preventing
these alasses from seeking to enter its employ. There is no
other bnrenu of the Government that is so greatly in need of
young, alert, and well-educated men.
The difficulties presented in the case of the messenger force
are of longer standing. As early as 1904 it was found impos-
sible to hold boys in the service a t the small salaries paid-
$360 a year fur a beginner. Previous to that time it was the
custom to order messengers from one station to another, and
in filling vacancies certification was 0fte.n made of boys resid-
ing a t clistmt points. It was found that boys could not main-
tain themselves away from home on the salaries paid, and with
the view of relieving the situation it was recommended to the
Civil Service Commission and by them approved that future
certifications should be made from local eligible lists, to be
established when necessary for Weather Bureau appointments
alone. It was hoped to Becure by these means the services of
boys residing a t home who woulcl be willing to serve at the
low salaries permitted. This method of securing eligibles has
been given a thoro trial, but has not effected the relief sought
and t,he situation as regards the messenger force has again
become acute. It is of the utmost importance to the public
interests that the numerous daily forecast telegrams, cards,
and maps of the weather service shall be handled espedi-
tiously, and this can not lie clone by a messenger force ren-
clerecl inefficient thru constant changes in the personnel. Dur-
ing the last fiscal year alone there were 34 appointments to
till vacancies in a force numbering, normally, 97.
INCREASE I N SALARIES.
I ldieve that the salaries paid to officials in charge and to
the first assistants at local stations of the Weather Bureau are
coiniiiensurate with the salaries paid for comparable work by
.
.
~~~~~
.
~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~
* No examination.
APPENDIX. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. ~9 1
other institutions of the Qovernment and by business firms,
but the compensation of observers and messengers in the lower
grades is inadequate and insufficient to properly maintain
them under the present conditions of high cost of clothing,
rents, food, and other necessities of life. The per annum
salary formerly paid to assistant observers just entering ser-
vice was $840, but on my recommendation it was reduced to
$720. I believe this to be proper compensation for these new
employees, because for six months or more they render but
little service, and require much of the time of station officials
in teaching them the details of the work and the requirements
of the position. Again, they are probationers who are being
tested for their general fitness for the work. I believe, there-
fore, that for the first year of service a salary of $720 per an-
num is sufficient, but those worthy of retention should be
advanced to the nest grade-$840 per annum-at the end of
one year. These employees are paid from the lump-sum roll,
which is carefully and economically apportioned, but the
amount available is not sufficient to advance them until after
two or more years service. On July 1, 1907, there were 20
assistant observers receiving the compensation of $720 per
annum who had more than one years service, and who should
be promoted. I have therefore recommended that $3,000 be
added to the station salary fund to accomplish the advance-
ment of assistant observers after one year of satisfactory
service.
The initial salary paid to messenger boys is $360 per annum,
and it has not been possible to advance these employes to the
next grade-$480 per annum-until after two years service,
often for a longer period. The salary is so small that it does
not induce intelligent and ambitious boys to enter the service.
Resignations are frequent and result in much annoyance to
the officials in charge of local offices. A good, faithful mes-
senger is a valuable employee. He knows the operating de-
tails of an office and has many duties that can not be assigned
to employes of a higher class. When i t becomes necessary to
break in a new messenger, i t takes up much of the valuable
time of higher employees in order to prevent confusion in the
office. The salary of the position should be sufficient to con-
tent boys for a few years, until they fit themselves for higher
duties and are old enough to assume them. There are a t
present about one hundred messenger boys on duty outside
of Washington. Their compensation should be increased,
and I have recommended that $12,000 be added to the station
salary fund in order to provide promotion of $10 per month
for those in the lower salary grades.
Printed weather mops.-Daily weather maps in printed form
are issued from 25 stations, and by duplicating process from
81 stations. The latter is not satisfactory, because a t best the
maps have not a neat appearance, and whenever the issue is
in excess of about 150 copies they become blurred and almost
illegible. These maps, for which there is a large public de-
mand, should he issued in neat printed form, and in order to
accomplish this the services of about 10 additional printers
are required. I have recommended that $12,000 be added to
the station salary fund for this purpose.
INSTRUCTION O F NEW OBSERVERS.
When the weather service was a military iustitution, new
observers were trained in their duties a t a military school
located at Fort Myer, Va. Since the abandonment of that
school new appointees have been sent direct to various sta-
tions of the service where their services were required. Most
of the duties of an observer are technical, and it requires con-
siderable time and patience to instruct them in the taking,
reducing, and recording of meteorological observations, trans-
mitting reports, making weather chartu, and preparing mete-
orological forms. Experience has shown that whenever new
observers are sent to a station, they are not capable of per-
forming the greater part of the ofice work, but, on the con-
trary, they cause additional work, and it consumes much of
the time ofthe official in charge, or of a trained assistant, in
teaching them their duties. The available force a t hand has
not been sufficient to make these new employes extras to the
regular force of the stations, but almost invariably they take
the place of trained employees. This is often embarassing
and cause errors and delays in the work, which, under the
circumstances, can not be avoided. I n large cities and com-
mercial centers where there is a weather station maps are pre-
pared on the floors of local boards of trade and other similar
institutions, and the data placed thereon has become B factor
in the business transactions of the United States. It is so
arranged that the preparation of these maps is begun at the
same moment of time in all sections of the country so that
there may be no discrimination. It is apparent therefore,
that skilled and rapid employees are essential for this work.
A slow and inefficient man might give traders in another city
the advantage of fifteen to twenty minutes, and, with direct
telegraphic communication between the trading institutions
in various cities, this advantage is considerable. It has fre-
quently happened that members of a board of trade in one
city have received telegraphic weather information from the
board in another city before it was recorded on the map in
his own institution. Complaints of this kind are justifiable,
but the local officials of the Weather Service are obliged to
use their limited force to the best advantage, and when they
have one or more untrained observers they are not always
able to remedy the difficulty a t once. Again, the work at the
various meteorological stations is interdependent, and delay in
the taking and recording of an observation at one results in a
corresponding delay at every station a t which these reports are
received. It will be understood how essential skill, rapidity,
and efficiency are to this work when it is remembered that
promptly at 8 a. m., seventy-fifth meridian time, observers
located in every part of the United States must take observa-
tions of all the elements of the weather, make mathematical
reductions, record them, and place them on the telegraph
wires, so that by 930 a. m., or in ninety minutes, these obser-
vations may be received at the various stations of the United
Stated, recorded on maps, and forecasts and warnings issued
therefrom. I n the efficient administration of this service there
should be a school of instruction where new employees may
be thoroly taught their duties, and slow or inefficient ones
weeded out, and so make it possible to assign to stations only
men who are trained and efficient. The Central Office at
Washington is the logical place for this training, because
here they may, with little or no additional expense, have
practical training in all the lines of work and be under the
guidance and instruction of the most expert men of the service.
A training of three to six months would be required, and a
constantly recruited class of fourteen men would be enough to
provide for the exigencies of the service due to deaths, resigna-
tions, dismissals, etc. I have recommended that $10,000 be
added to the station salary fund for that purpose.