Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-10
The Facts About the Signal Service
Matter SensibIy Stated.

Editor Star:-The action of the men of the
signal Corps In protesting against being turned
out for parade on March 1 has given rise to
much uncalled for criticism and gained for us
much undue nOtOrtety. The simple facts are
these: The men OF the Signal Corps except
when at Fort Myer. wear civilian clothing, and
as they are at Fort Myer but few months In
the early part OF their enlistment the first uni
form drawn remains in their possession and
serves their purpose for years. OF the hundred
aid fifty men at the central Office and at Fort
Ny er but very few have uniforms which were
drawn from the same stock OF clothing, some of
them having uniforms drawn as long ago as
1871. AS consequence every shade OF
blue and every style of cut is repre-
uniform that fiIted a man i've or as ten ten
years ago, when he was OF more hoy1sh
build, does not 1T him very Wen
now. TO parade 10 such variety OF uniforms
as we nave would elicit laughter and rldicule
from the spectators, who might imagine US to
be an intended burlesqve upon real soldiers
IL, rom sense OF pride--for we have quite
as much OF that as any set of men In Washing
ION. as our old officers Well know-We immedi-
ately, in view OF our proposed turn out, draw
new uniforms and have them altered to tit US
SO So mat we may make presentable appearance,
the expense OF SO doing Will be quite great
High officials, men who draw large salaries.
are now protesting against being compelled to
pay . Tor Inauguration ball tickets for the
lady members OF their families, saying that they
cannot afford IL. How many ball tickets DO
you suppose the cost OF new uniform for each
one OF us would purchase? And yet, jhtst Jo,'
htS one OCCASION, we must either assemble like
lou OF ragamuffinS or else spend the price
or nalf-dozen ball tickets TO improve our per-
sonar appearance. Can we, On our pitiful stf-
p pen AFFORD such an outlay: AS it is
The helmet which all of us Will have TO INV
VIII cost over half the value OF bail ticket.
All this expense, remember, for lust al hour or
TWO OF parade, for the men OF the signal Office
are 100 nuSy attending TO their legitimate
duties, Which are oLerous and pressing TO In
uulge IN many street parades. Never before In
The history OF the organization have We turned
out 10 snow ourselves as r'j''j,.t> and so tlOr-
oughly mortified and ashamed OF us VIII our
ofiice1s be on Inauguration day that we probl-
bly, never will again exhibit ourselves on street
parade. We have little knowledge of soldterIT
noVefnents-haVe little time and opportunity
10 acquire any. We regret this to certain
extent, FOR among us there is certainly a SOL
derry spirit. The personal honor OF the men OF
the signal corps is markedly conspicuous. II It
were possible tor us to have frequent drills ar a
convenient place-Fort Myer is 100 distant and
1t costs too much time and money to get over
tnere-We would enjoy having them: but We are
enlisted vastly more for scientific than
lor military purposes. In our legitimate
field OF labor-the observation and report OF
storms-we leave 1t to the public to Judge
whether or not we ably. faithfully and intelt-
gentiy perform our duties. It's rare thing to
hEd the soldier, the clerk and the scientist all
embodied IN one man. When you do. however
you always md such combination of good
qualities well paid for. Those who viii recog-
less OF us On account OF our livery; those who
don't know US we care little about. II our OFF,
GERS are willing to boss the show, we are con-
tent to enter the ring.
ONE OF THR CLOWNS.
West Washington. nee Georgetown.
THE WATER BEING DRAWN from all the
levels along the canal, except the four-mile
Level At Georgetown for supplying the mills
with water power, but few boats are found to
have Wintered here, not exceeding TWO dozen
In all. the balance mostly gone TO their homes
up the line.
CAPTAIN JAMES GODDARD, who was so Sc
riously hurt some days ago by fall from one
OF his buildings undergoing repairs. is still con-
nntd 10 MS ped and as yet unable TO stand
alone.
M STREET BRIDGE.-The contractor on the NJ
street bridge las force at work this morning
pressing forward its compile ton. which is
much desired, as the people are greatly en-
barraSscd by its obstruction.
THE WHARVES along the river have all been
put into trim for the expected spring freshetS.
The Borden Coal company S wharyes are
Cleaned up and STOCK all shipped but about 260
tons. New Central and Georges Greek com.
pany IN II Ike condition, with some 100 tons on
Wharf and two boats In canal dock with over
$40 tons on hand. Mary land Coal company
34th street, are making a few repairs. with no
coal on hand. Consolidated Coal company. at
mouth OF Rock creek, have their entire Wharye3
nllcd with coal held over.
AT THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL Co. s
OFFICE everything was quiet today and no
business doing. The telephone line Is In order
along the whole line to Cumberland Nd No
news to 10 a. N. from up the river OF any high
water or Ice breaking away, as yet. The rain
OF last night extended along their whole line,
and was quite as heavy a 1t was here.