The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-07
STORM SIGNALS.

TIE Storm Signal Bureau has scarcely as yet
got fully into operation, but its usefulness
has been amply demonstrated, and its weather
reports and predictions have already proved
of the highest value. There are innumerable
interests in all sections of the country which
are dependent upon favorable conditions OF
the weather, and millions of dollars can be
saved annually if the progress, course, and
nature Of storms can be foretold with any
degree of certainty. The weather bulletins
which have thus far emanated from the Signal
Bureau have been singularly accurate, and a
great number of persons have already learned
to rely upon them in the management Of such
branches of business as are affected by
weather changes Increased accuracy and a
greater perfection in minor details of obServa-
ton and management will of course
follow as the officers of the bureau become
more familiar with their duties
and more skilful in noting the weather signs,
and it is scarcely possible to estimate the
benefits that will be conferred in the future
at an expense so moderate that it is not
worthy of consideration in comparison with
the advantages which the nation will gain.
Indeed, it is somewhat remarkable, in view
of the great value of a trained corps of
weather observers, that an attempt has not
been made before to organize one and if the
present signal system is carried to the proper
point of perfection, it will be as highly appre-
ciated by scientific as by purely practical
men, and its statistics will be among the most
valuable of any prepared under the Govern
ment auspices. An effort should be made to
give the officers of the bureau the scientific
training that will enable them to produce the
most satisfactory results, and they
should be encouraged to attach themselves
permanently to this branch of the public
service. We believe that under the present
regulations the persons in charge of the
various signal stations are non-commissioned
officers of the army, but it is question
whether the efficiency of the Signal Bureau
would not be increased if its attaches were
formed into regular corps, entirely distinct
from either the army or the navy, but co-ope-
rative, when circumstances will permit, with
either branch of the military service. The
present organ 'zation of the Signal Bureau,
we presume, is looked upon as an expert
ment, and in course of time improvements
will doubtless be made, but it is important
that at the very commencement the best men
obtainable should be employed and trained
to their duty, and encouragement should
be held out to enterprising and in
telligent young men of scientific tastes
to enter upon this field of usefulness.
great many well-educated men would very
willingly enter civilian scientific corps when
they would not accept non-commissioned
army officers positions, even if the pay were
greater and as the duties of the Signal Bureau
have no necessary connection with military
matters, it might be separated entirely from
the army, and at the same time remain under
the direction of the War Department, and
under the immediate supervision of a skilful
army officer. Such an arrangement would be
more likely to enable it to obtain the services
of men who would be able greatly to in
crease the efficiency and usefulness of the
storm-signal system than the present one.