The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-12-13
Signal.Service Report.

The Chief Signal Officer of the Army, in his
annual report, recommends legislation for .
more complete organization of the Signal
Service. With duties now as extensive, as inn
portant and reaching more directly the in
terests of the people of the United States
than those of any other bureau of the War
Department, it exists, he says, without laws
providing for the permanent employment and
grades Of its officers, or the promotion of its
enlisted men. This condition is found to
seriously embarrass the work of the Office. The
subject of such organization received last
year and in the year preceding careful atten-
ton, and was favorably recommended by the
President to Congress. The experience of the
year has demonstrated the need of it. II the
service Is to advance to greater success 1t can
not be too safely guarded against possible
tampcring, or offer too certain rewards Tor
faithful service.
The results of the year give cause for encour-
agement. 1t has been marked by the fact that
it has in its incidents called into action every
one Of the particular duties Of the Signal Ser
vice, as provided both for peace and war. The
useful preannouncement of meteoric changes
is admitted as established by now seven years
continuous practice. Wise criticism demands
each year. improving accuracy, and with
dencesOf success have become more visible.
The work has gained in simplicity and extent
The cooperation of true scientists has cOntin-
ued both at home and abroad. The uses of
the service and the results to be hoped from
lite future development have been appreciated.
The popular support and the support of the
press have been steady and considerate. The
service advances, not always by smooth paths,
but to certain success.
Steps have been taken to extend the river
reports of this year to the rivers of California
and Oregon, the rapid rise and fall of which
involve sometimes large grazing interests, as
well as those of agriculture and commerce. A
series OF canal reports announcing tempera-
lures probable to effect canal commerce were
issued during the season, of the closing of
navigation at the commencement of last win
ter for the uses of canal commerce and the in
terests depending thereon. The different re-
ports of the office of which mention has thus
been made have been favorably received in the
communities for which they have been fur
nished, and their uses have been acknowledged
lions and bv other official action.
By the great diffusion given the reports OF
the Office through the press, the display of the
different office bulletins and forms # report,
the maps and regular publications, It is est
mated that the statements, based upon the IN
and issued daily for the public use, reach daily
not less than one third Of all the households
in the United States. The regular daily pub
lication Of the reports by the press. now con-
tinued for seven years without cost to the
United States, is considered as an evidence Of
their usefulness, and of the favor with which
they are received by the communities for which
they are intended. The office Is In correspond
ence in reference to its duties with Commit
tees appointed for the purpose by the
Boards of Trade and Chambers Of Commerce
OF the principal cities in the Union, and
also with large number of agricultural
societies. A number of sets of resolutions
officially adopted by leading associations of
this character in prominent cities of the United
States, expressing approval Of the service, and
tel halt
panied the last annual report. These resolu-
tions were officially submitted to Congress at
its last session. Permanent Committees have
this year been appointed by action of the
Boards, which Committees inspect and report
monthly to this Office upon the condition and
utility Of the service in their vicinities. The
Boards, in this way, at once co cooperate with the
Office, and share responsibility for its success
The Office publications the Weekly Weather
Chronicle aud Monthly Weather Revier-have
been regularly issued during the year. A num-
Der of valuable charts have been prepared. The
data to be preserved have become very numer-
GUS. By the change of system of observations
formerly under the direction of the Smithso-
nian Institution, and those furnished by the
Medical Department of the Army and Navy,
stations, a total of Oh daily weather observa-
tions from as many different places are enter
ed upon the files daily rs the regular system Of
observation at the Office. A number of Obser-
vations taken on vessels at sea, to complement
the synchronous reports Of the service, and at
the request of the Department, have been re-
ceived upon the forms, provided for the pur-
pose. Their utility is evident in the study Of
storms approaching our coasts or which en-
danger vessels sailing from our ports. The
in the taking Of observations simultaneously
with the system adopted by this office
wherever there are naval vessels OF the
United States, as assured by the General
Order Of the Secretary Of the Navy, dated Dec.
q, 1876. has largely increased the data Of this
class. The people of the United States are
thus the first Nation whose Army and Navy
cooperate, as all armies and navies should,
under official orders, in the taking of stHIE
taneOus observations, wherever the force may
be. The Officcrsof the Signal Service ut the
different cities and ports Of the United States,
the comparison Of instruments, the use Of
data or other modes In their power, to the YES
sells Of every Nation which enter our waters
for commerce or shcltcr.
The proposition adopted at the congress Of
persons charged with meteorological duties
which was assembled at Vienna In 1873, and to
the effect that It is desirable, with . view ia
their exchange, that ut least one uniform Obeer-
walton, of such character MS Obe suited for the
preparation OF synOptic charts, be taken AM
the world, has continued to have practical
effect. BY authority Of the War Departments,
and with the courteous operation Of scientist
and chiefs of meteorological services, represent
ing the different countries, record of observe
tons, taken daily simultaneously with the OBJ
and adjacent islands. exchanged semi-month.
~. These reports are to cover the territorial
extent Of Algiers, Great Britain, China, Cen.
tral America, Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, East Indies, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, British North
America, the United States, Sandwich Islands,
West Indies and South America.
Jennie June has been saying that
the young man Of to-day is not half AZ
nice % the young man of fifty years
ago. Neither IL the Jennie June, for
that matter,-M: O: Rcayssse,