National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-01
TALK WITH HOWGATE
ABOUT MANUFACTURING WEATHER.
The Recent Practical Head Of :" Indication" On
the Signal Service Bureau-0ur Scientific
Han Wrestles with It-Mystery OF
the Probabilities Simplifed.


ada telegraphed that precisely eleven-foot snow
storm was to be ruthlessly precipitated upon US
Americans on about the 18th ultimo, utterly re-
EarIess of those clearly defined assurances of pro-
lection promulgated in the sixteenth amendment
That prophecy arrived at the different localities
mentioned precisely on time, including stOppages,
and the result is every Tipe-aged inhabitant OF
Washington who is not the possessor OF a NICE
HyaIler cutter is anxious TO know how long this
sort of ex parte prophecying business is going to
be carried on.
Many heretofore good-natured citizens are ma
turely celebrating as to whether some means can
not be devised on this side of the line TO sand-of
she prophetic Vaccinations of that old Canadian
Santa Claus even to the extent of perpetrating
Httle wholesome boycotting" in case of absolute
necessity.
Pursuant TO the spirit of enterprise which per
vades every department of THE REPUBLICAN to-
day, our scientific cannOn-bal tosser was granted
thirty days absolution for literary piracy provided
be should ascertain reliable information calcu-
lated to fend off the prophetic Vaccinations Of
that cold-blooded Northern bull-dozer.
CALL ON CAPTAIN H. W. HowGATE.
This gentleman, having been in the department
Iince its organization was necessarily selected as
he victim of the scientific anger.
In response to the announcement of business by
The REPUBLICAN, the Captain locked up box of
instinct about it, and proceeded:
1.-THE object of the Weather Bureau is briefly to
put commerce and agriculture on their guard in
lime of peace 1t cannot be said to be an exact
science. Any attempt TO predict storms IN ad-
vance Is based upon comparisons Of climatic con-
ditions during period of years, and no govern
mental authority would dare make such predlc-
Hon because there is reliable data to start FROM
twas organized by act of Congress in 1870 from
IEoC nj of no
are received tri-day at the headquarters in Wash
fngton from one hundred stations in the United
States and from fifteen in Canada. One daily re-
port is received from thirty-eight other stations
located upon the United States telegraph lines in
Eexas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and the
Indian Territory. These, in connection with
others hereafter mentioned, make a total of $50
reports daily by telegraph, upon which discussion,
comparison and data is calculated for publication.
It employs force of $50 enlisted men.
THE WEATHER STATIONS.
Each Of these stations is provided with
full set of standard meteorological instru-
nents and seven observations are made
End recorded daily in three series, known
respectively the telegraphic, local, and
midday series. Ateach observation the following
data are noted and recorded Atmospheric press
ure; temperature; relative humidity; state of
weather; direction and velocity of wind kind
and movement of upper and lower clouds, and
lmount of rainfall. The observations are made at
s35 m, 1876 p m, and eleven p. IN. respectively.
They are enciphered at stations, which report
by telegraph, and are telegraphed to the Central
office over special circuits arranged by the Office
with the principal telegraphic companies i'll the
United States. Copies of all observations are
forwarded weekly by mail in appropriate forms 10
The Central Office for examination and file.
Twentythree special river stations have been
established upon the principal Western rivers of
Die United States for the purpose of reporting their
daily fluctuations. One observation is required
daily, at three p m, at these stations which, after
enciphering IS also telegraphed to the Central Of
Zee during the months of April, May, June, July,
October, and November.
During the remainder of the year the reports arc
mailed weekly to the same address These sta
lions are in charge of civilians, who perform the
dnties for moderate monthly payment
Similar reports are made from twenty of the
regular stations in addition to the standard me
neurological reports.
TELEGRAPHIC CIRCUITS.
All Geographic reports received at the Central
Office transmitted over special circuits arranged
by the Chief Signal-Officer with the several tele
graph companies of the United States whose lines
reach the station These circuits are made up tri-
daily at fixed hours, and are used only for the
Transmission of weather reports and other business
connected Herewith. Mail reports from eight STA
lions have been established at various points
throughout the country for the study of general
eIimatology, in some cases for special studies Full
observations made at those stations, but all re-
ports are transmitted by mail to the Central Office
where they are discussed in connection with those
received from other points.
VOLUNTARY REPORTS.
Tri-daily observations at the local hours of seven
n. m. and nine D. m. are made by civilian observ-
erS and forwarded monthly to the Central Office
from $40 stations, without other cost to the Govern
ment than that the forms upon which they are
recorded and the postage and envelopes in which
they are forwarded.
These observations are in continuation of the
series conducted for many years under the direc-
ton ofthe Smithsonian Institution and transferred
TO the Signal Service January 1, 1874.
OBSERVATIONS AT MILITARY POSTS.
Monthly reports of tri-daily observations at the
hours of seven q. m, two p. m, and nine p. m,
local time are received from twenty army posts
and hospitals where they are made by medical
officers of the army under direction of the Sur
geOn-GeneTal. Since June 70, 1874 this has been
furnished to the Signal Office exclusively.
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS.
Reports from go foreign stations are received at
the Signal Office in semi-monthly packages of one
Simultaneous observation, made at 735 a. m,
Washington mean time.
These reports are distributed geographically as
follows: Agers, TO- Austria, u; Belgium, 1; Great
Britain IS: Denmark, g. France 40; Germany q;
Greece, l. Italy, 80; Japan 1; the Netherlands, 4;
Norway 4; Portugal, 4; Russia, q; Spain, >;
Sweden, G; Switzerland, 2; Turkey, g. Canada, IS.
No expense is incurred by the Government in
the collection of these reports, except in furnish
ing to each observer copy of that printed report.
Monthly reports of one daily simultaneous OBJ
seivation made at 7:35 a. m. Washington mean
time, are received from thirty nine vessels, navy
yards, ard marine hospitals through the co-opera-
ton of the Navy Department, i'll accordance with
an order issued by the Secretary of the Navy on
December %, 1876.
DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS.
The synopsis and indications furnished TO
the several press associations in Washington and
By them distributed by telegraph to the press
throughout the country.
The midnight synopsis and indications are telc-
graphed as soon as issued ct the Central Office TO
sixteen centres OF distribution located in different
parts Of the Union, where they ere received and
printed by enlisted men Of the Signal Service on
printed forms provided for the purpose and, after
being enveloped and addressed, are mailed to as
many designated poSt-ofices within each distrib-
utng district be reached by two p. m. of the
date of issue. Each postmaster who receives the
bulletin is ordered by the PoStmaster-General to
display it Immediately in frame furnished by the
Signal Office for the purpose and to make semi
monthly report to the Chief Signal Officer of the
time of receipt and display. These bulletins are
also issued at the Central Office The total number
Of post-ofices supplied daily except Sundays is
$3.50
At each station all reports received from other
stations written out in forms provided for the
purpose, and copies Of them displayed in the most
public places and localities frequened by shippers
merchants, and other interested persons. The ag-
eregate issue of these are 10000 copies.
CENTRAL OFFICE.
All reports received are compared, corrected, and
fled for preservation and reference. Synopsis and
Indications arc ,,rnDared fri-dsilv from tba tala