Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-11

rlE "srI.r" QUESTION DEFINITELY SETTLED
ANOTHER LIrrl3 cossr noasrxs ALONG to
WARDS rs.
When the comet now circliny about the north
pole star vanishes. another comet will visit our
sky. The expected Visitor is Fakes oon st-
one with which the astronomers are well 40
quainted IL has period of three years and ~
half Its ephemeris, which has already been
computed. fixes the date Of It's arrival at July
18th. and Its disappearance at November 18th.
Probably during October II will be VISIBLE 20 tho
naked eye, but during the greater part OF It's
stay In our heavens II will only bc visible by
means OF telescope. This comet Is regarded
With peculiar interest by astronomers on account
OF its gradually shortening periods. The theory
Is tiiat there Is a slight resisting medium in
space, which Is constantly swinging the comet
nearer the sun, aud finally IT will wind up" in
the sun.
THE BIG TELESCOPE
at the Naval Observatory was swung around for
the hrst time saturday night. 50 as to cover the
comet. Prof Hall, who makes observations
with the big glass says that he obtained very
fine views; that II Is very fine come: and has
solid nucleus. Prof Eastman SAYS that there In
no ''splh" In the comet, and the only change In
the increasing dmncss. Prof Frisby. who has
figured out the comets orbit called the atten-
lon ga TIE STAR reporter to-day TO
SINGULAR PACT
that Is that the Longitude of the perihelion and
of the node of This comet and the comet of 1897
correspond inversely. or the figures are inter
changcablc as will be seen by the following
figures: Comet of lS9s-Loayitude of perihelion.
210.5i; longitude Of node. 36s ~. Comet of
lSSl-Longitude of pcr:helion. 26S.0s: lonei-
tude of node. 2fl.02. The inclination
OF the two comets is nearly the
same. that of 1907 being Cs degrees 10 minutes.
aud that Of 1881 being 6S degrees So minutes.
The similarity between the different elements,
the astronomers say. would be very likely 20
make some people believe that IL IL the same
comet. The astronomers. however. are salts
he'd that they are separate and distinct bodies.
The periheiion distance of this comet II about
90 millions OF miles. willie that of the c pmet Of
$50. was 6Ol millions of miles Close calcula-
tion indicates that the prcseut comet Was ut its
perhe!ion about j O'Clock on the morning Of
June 18th. Prof Eastman thinks II will have
entirely disappeared in about two weeks.
The River Front.
THE SENATE suB-coauIrrEE FAvoas IMPROVE
MENT, MEETS. ORGANIZES AND AGREES UPoN A
BOARD or St'RyEY.
Senators Ransom and Vest. OF the sub-comwit.
tee Of the Senate commerce committee 10 ex-
anime into the matter of improving the river
front at Washington. met at the Capitol about
noon to-day. Senator Jones. OF Nevada was too
Ill To go out. hut he sent word TO the rne:nt,ers
oil the committee To 20 ahead and use his vote
making their arrangements. Senators Conyer
aud Kellogg were absent IL was ouly b, the use
OF senator Jones vote that a qtloraiu was rn ade
(Constructiyey Senator Jones Was pftseut.)
Tie meeting was VERY short. The colniusttee
Was organized Senator Ransom heiny chosen
chairman. The purpose of the committee II to
arrange for board of survey to consist
Of perhaps. three army engineers three,
civil engineers and probably the health
officer. with representation also from
the District Commissioners This hoard
will proceed to make surveys and examinations,
ana to prepare plan for the removal Of the
flats aD'ia''' Improvement of the caannel aud
of the river front The committee will not meet
again until next October. Meantime the board
of survey will perform its labors and submit n
report to the committee AT ITS next meeting Ii
is the purpose of the committee i'm the fall TO get
the opinions Of the physicians of the District a
TO the effect of the fats upon the general health
also 10 get the opinions of citizens a. to the
improvements needed: and upon all the inform
alton thus obtained. including the report Of the
board of survey. report will be submitted to
Congress early i'm the next session recommend
ing plan for the WORK aad appropriations to
carry II out Senators Ransom and Vest went
this afternoon 10 consult with the Secretary Of
War and the chief Of engineers as TO the board
OF survey. This board will be appointed and
made up not later than tomorrow.
The Secretary of War sent for Gen. Wright.
chief of engineers. and directed him 70 detail
three officers from that corps for the board Of
survey. The members OF the committee saw
they intend to take tie opinions of the ableSt
physicians OF the country as TO the best method
Of doing away with the unhealthy fats and that
il is the purpose of the committee TO do all
within its power TO improve the river channel
and the river frontage.