Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-15
Ehe National observatory.


President Gilman and the professors Q,
the Johns Hopkins University, OF Baltimore
have sent TO Senator Whyte, as a member OF the
new naval observatory commission, an address
stating that they have been brought into con
tact with many OF the most enlightened lead
ers OF science, and 10 every civilized state the
work OF American astronomers, and especially
the Work or The Washington observatory, Ii re.
garded as OF the highest order, rejecting credit
the intellectual condition OF this country. The
position already achieved calls for contlnuei
"kGom and foresight. The marvellous precision
Which is given to physical science In Our lay,
and on which It's value depends requires that
in selecting site for an observatory The bast
possiuie position for scientific work should Dc
secured. and all other considerations should ba
helG quite subordinate II should nor only
have an unobstructed boriznn and be free from
loise, dust. foS and malaria, but il is of the
highest Importance that the site should b. re
note from all routes Of traffic or transit tht
Jar ofWhich may PROSTATE at any momenr al
Important obScT vdtiOn. Without being familiar
with the sites which have been discussed In the
pUbIc Journals. we venture to urge upon your
enngEtened attention this consideration: that
the approval or astronomers and physicists be
secured before purchase Is concluded. Ii we
seem TO be unduly urgent, may We remind YOU
that aside from the interest we have In common
with other scientific men, we feel as Bitti-
moreans, an especial concern In the advance
ment OF science In the national capital with
which our alliance, both actual and prospec-
tive. is Int mate. In our own university work
we are, at This moment, laDoring under some
disabilities because, Notwithstanding the care
We have taken to secure solid supports of ma
sonry for certain instruments the delicate tn
vtstigations TO which alone they are adapted
al constantly Interrupted Dy the motion of The
carts and cars"
wHAT SENATOR wHYTE SAYS
STAR reporter inquired OF Senator Whytc
about the progress OF the commission. He said
number OF sites for the proposed building had
been offered, but the commission had not de
cided upon cne; that they intend to get thu
best site, and Ior its real value. That is they
Nill not pay an extra price because the proper
" Is for tie government. sometime agJ
Professor Barnard, CT Columbia College and
Professors Hastings and Rowland. of Johns
Hopkins university, were requested as experts
TO examine the sites offered, With the View OF
asceftaining which localities were free from
vibrations ard other surroundings detrimental
to an observatory. They have reported against
the Soldiers Home site because OF the con-
tlnued travel and the frequent target-hring
there. Other Sites were reported against ad-
Geol getGWn viii be selected. Three plans for
the propCs sed building have been decided as
tie best submitted, and the commission will
hIaliy che ose one OF these plans. Senator
Nhyie says tie commission will determine
uF on the site aud plan within a few days and
submit Their report TO the President with a
view OF getirg action towards the building Dy
the present Congress.