Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-24
The Signal Service.

had offered to build a wigwam in which to ac-
commodate the delegates If it met in that city.
The Signal Service.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER
Gen. Albert j. Myer, chief signal officer of the
army, has just submitted his annual report for
the last fiscal year. 1t begins with the state
ment that the school of instruction and practice
at Fort Whipple, has been continued under
strict military rule, and during the year 122 men
have been instructed as assistant Observers and
nine for promotion to the grade of sergeant. The
importance, utility and efficiency of the school
are highly spoken of. The act of Congress, ap-
proved July Goth, 1875, providing for the perma-
nent organization of the signal corps at $50 ser
geants, 80 corporals, 2IO privates, has fixed the
Service on an honorable footing, and is produc-
tive of much good. The Office files are crowded
with applications for enlistment. The law open
ing promotion for sergeantS to I'd heutenantS Is
commended. Candidates for enlistment are re-
quired to pass preliminary educational exami-
nation. and if accepted, they are sent to Fort
Whipple for drill and instruction. During the
year 10 stations have been maintained, which are
necessary to give warnings of the approach Of
storms, and note other meteoric changes; in ad-
tions," at which daily observation is taken by
citizens, have been continued. The daily ex-
change of telegraphfc reports of warnings with
ports from stations in the West Indies, owing to
the small appropriation, have been suspended
except in seasons of especial danger. The issue
has been continued regularly and promptly, and
the total number OF reports furnished at the
hours of am, 1890 am. and 7:3o pm. daily,
has been O95. The issue of the tri-daily reports
is made up from data from 1873 stations tee-
graphed to the chief Office in cipher over sys-
TEN of telegraphtc circuits and charted graphi-
cally upon seven charts for study. These reports
appear daily in almost every newspaper in the
United States and the average percentage of ac-
curacy OF the weather indications, as verified,
has been 9O.7 per cent. A telegraphic weather
map charted at the hour for the morning report
and telegraphed to New York in time to appear
In the paper going to press at 1880 am, has
formation that could not be given in any other
manner Cautionary night and day signals have
been displayed Systematicallyat "a different ports
OF the United States in times OF danger. The
adoption of signals showing when the wind
would blow ''Off-shore" has proved of great ben
eft. Or the total number OF cautionary signal
displayed, S0.1 per cent. have proved correct. N
great storm has swept over any cOnsderabl
number OF the ports OF the United States with
out pre-annOuncement AT the smaller lake and
seapOrts subordinate display stations to show
warning signals are maintained. The exhibition
OF symbol maps and posting of weather bulletins
for the benefit OF commercial associations and at
places OF public resort have been continued, and
6,142 farmers bulletins are daily sent out by
mail and posted for the benefit OF the agri-
cultural population. The reports from which
these bulletins ls In are made up are takdn
at the various points warning farmers and other
OF coming weather. A s'Weather Case or Farm
eT 5 W ealLer Indicator" an
to exhibit together on simple plan the
meteorological indications of several instru-
ments, and in such way that they can be easily
noted by any one, is in preparation for general
issue, to be used in connection with the Farmers
Bulletin. Since the last report railway bulletin
service has been established, by which the rail-
way telegraphs distribute the midnight signal
service report along their lines; thirty-siX
railways, with total of 1912 stations,
are now cooperating in this work. This work
is of great utility and will be largely extended.
Thp Ri Of
notice OF rises, &C., have been regularly made,
and this service has been extended to the prtn-
cipal California rivers. series of canal reports,
Indicating temperatures that would close canal
commerce, were issued at the commencement of
last winter. The indications" as published in
various forms, reach fully one-third Of all the
daily weather observations are entered daily. A
record OF daily observations Is exchanged semi
monthly with all the civilized countries of the
globe and those received from other countries
are printed by the chief officer here. The sea-
coast service, in connection with the life-saving
service, has been continued, and the stations
are so situated as to command view OF the sea,
and vessels passing can be warned Of coming
danger. Many lives and much property have
been saved by these stations. During the year
a telephone line was added along the most dam
gerous part Of the North Carolina coast, and has
proved a successful experiment. The building
OF telegraph lines along the frontier, to connect
military posts and also the people from the In
dians- authorized by act of Congress-is being
pushed forward in Arizona, New Mexico and
Texas
AMONG THE PRESIDENTS CALLERS to-day were
Secretary Sherman, Attorney General Devens
Commissioner Dent and quite number of visit
ors to pay their respects.
HOLIDAY ASKED FOR GOVERNMENT CIEKs TO
GO TO THE FAIR.-District Commissioners Dent
and Twining called upon the President this morn
ing, in accordance with the directors of the Ma
tional Fair association, to ask that the clerks
ments be given holiday on Tuesday, the open
ing day OF the fair, and afterwards half holi-
day during its continuance. The President in
quired If the holiday feature was to be observed
as general thing among the business men Of
the District. He said that ii SO, this would be
point in favor Of the plan. He promised to take
the matter into consideration at the Cabinet
meeting to-day, and therefore did not Indicate
what his decision would be. The action OF the
District Commissioners with reference to the
clerks in their Office will be governed by the de-
cision of the President In relation to the govern
ment departments.
THE INDIAN QUESTION DISCUSSED IN CABINET
MEETING TO-DAY.-Secretaries Sherman and
McCrary were absent from the Cabinet meeting
this afternoon. Gen. Sherman and Assistant
Secretary Hawley represented the War AMI
Treasury departments respectively. The meet
ing was devoted almost entirely to discussion
OF the trouble with the Ute Indians. Secretary
SchurZ and General Sherman gave all the infor.
maton In the possession of their department
bearing on the subject. The discussion turne1
upon what steps should be taken towards the
Indians. 1t was decided that for the present
nothing but precautionary measures should b,
adopted General Sherman said that he wa
getting his troops in readiness for active
work, and that they would be disposed OF wher4
they would be likely to do most good. He rea
several telegrams from Gen. Sheridan giving thu
details OF the movements of troops and strength
OF the companies which it is proposed shall ac5
from the south, under Col Mackenzie, as here
tofore announced In THE STAR. 1t was thought
Qrat ON atdf hot
the result of Special Agent Adams mission to
the Ctes be waited for before anything aggre$-
sive Is done. The character of Mr.. Adams report
Will determine the plan to be pursued. II he is
unsuccessful, as all the war departments adj
vices Indicate he will be, the troops will then
move on the Indians. The only appointment
spoken OF was that for the post Office at Coluul-
bla, Tennessee. Judge Key presented the name
of Samuel N. Arnell for the place, and his ap-
ex-member, and Is well known In Washington