, 1877-11-25

AENCAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OFEtCER-Ex-
TENT OF TIE INTERESTS AFFECTED Ii TIE
OPERATIONS OF THE NCEEAU-LEGIsLATIoS
RECOMMENDED.
WASHINGTON, 2, c., Nov. 22o.-Thc Chief SIR
nal Ofl2cr OF the Army, In his annual report,
recommends legislation for more complete Or
gani.ation Of the signal seryicc- With duties
now as extensive, as important, and reaching Ii
rcctly more Interests Of the people Of tile United
states than those ol aIy other bureau Of the
Wa: Department, it exists, he says, without
laws providing for the permanent employment
md grades Of its officers, or the promotion of
its enlisted men. This condition is found
to seriously euabarrass the work Of the Office.
The subject OF such organization received
last year and In the year preceding careful at
tenIon, and WAS farorabiy recommended hv the
-f1csdent to Congress The experience of the
Year has demonstrated the need OF it. II the
service Is to adyauce to greater success it clnuot
DC too safely guarded against possible taclpcE-
Aug, or offer too certain rewards ior faithful
service. The results ot the year give cause Tor
encouragement. It has been marked By Tie
fact that it has in its incidents called into acton
c'ery one OF the particular du.ics ol Ia: signal
Service, as provided both for peace and war.
TIE useful preaunouucement Of meteoric
changes is admitted as established by now seven
years. continuous practice. Wise criticism de-
mands e:tl1 vcar improving accuracy, aud with
each wear the paths for improvement; the cvi-
Icnces IT success have BECOME lnurc visible
The work has ,r,;s gained in simplicity
abroad The USES OF the service aud the results
to te hoped from its future dc7clop,pcnt hare
been appreciated. The popular support aud tie
support OF Ihe press Eaye been steady and con-
sidcrate. The service advances, not always h:
smooth paths but to a certain SUCCESS stems
have been taken to extend the river rcpo,ts e.
tais year to the rivers OF California and Oregon,
tue Taplu rise and fall Of which involve some
Times large grazing interests, as well rs those OF
ac1feu1:urs 1ud commerce.. j SERIES Of canal re-
posts ANNOUNCING Temperatures probable to
cneet M eanaI commerce were issued during the
sssson, OF the closing Of navigation as the COM
Eencetncnt Of last winter for the uses OF canal
commerce =, and tho interests dcpenIinr
Lsesecn. The different reports OF the office
- - Holeh mention has thus been made have
t1h:[ W. ,1soss,ly received in the communities for
isra 10y hoss aa'e oeen furnished, and their uses
na.e tsu eccn acknowledged by communications
nSm .asS. commercial associations and by- other
osaaal action By the great diffusion qiyen thc
poses % y o. she office through the press, the dis
If rena1 ~ ta uInerent Office bulletins and forms
~ est1nateS that the statements. hsse,i ,,To, ~
aae information gathered upon tie 1cs ~ ttba
9nce, ana Issued daily for the public ,,se ross,
Lo1ds ' IN tSs i6s 1nan onethrd ot al the house
pauncat'on OF tac reports by the nress no1,
f;ont1nned Tor seven years witl,out cost r. Nv
tha n!I. slates' is considered as m evidence If
thet tie Us usefulness and OF The favor with which
.hey are received by the communities for Wilt
aAey are Intended. The otuce is in corresnand. u
cnce in reference to its duties w;tb
bS Gonmattefs 4'n Ra., appointed for the purpose
~ Commerce OF the principal citicsiu the iTn;on
sau a!so With large number Of agricultural |
Societies 4 number OF sets OF resolutions ~
iitia!ly adopted hy leading associations vf tbs
character IN prominent cities Of the Ijn;te.1 |
states, expressing approval Of the service. and
esahe favorable action in its behalf, acsom-
panied the last animal 5eport- These rcsolu- |
.'ods wcrc officially submitted to Congress at I
rs Last session. Permanent Committees hayc
this year been appointed by action Of the Boards
Which Committees inspect and report monthir
to Ibis office upon the condition aud utility Of thc
service In their ricinitics. The Boards, in this
WY, ut once cooperate with the Office. and
share responsibility fox its SUCCESS. The Office
Uoekay NtaNer Chrouicse
and 4fo..t1!y Hedthsr Reveac-harc been