New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-31
SLGN1L c0RPS REORGANIzlTION

u
The Military Committees Of both Houses of
Congress have acted favoraby upon the bill
making the Signal Service a separate depart
ment of the Army and its passage ought not to
be long DELAYED. Its object is to put the Signal
Corps on the same footing as the other corps OF
the Army, with permanent official establish
mcnt, and promotion within its own body. Its
chief effect will be to increase the efficiency OF
the service, and make it more than ever yau-
able to the country. During the ten years OF
its existence the service has made remarkable
progress. 1t began rs an experiment, about
the success OF which scientific authorities had
grave doubts. Older countries had tired and
failed. and it was doubted if we could be any
more fortunate. But we had unusual natural
advantages I'm our favor. and We had TIE trained
men Of our idle military establishment to 90
the work Under these circumstances, the
service long since passed its experimental
stage. The daily weather reports and other
information furnished to the public have be-
come indispensable necessities to all classes Of
people. Trade and commerce have been bene-
fitted by them in innumerable ways. And yet
it is evident that the science Oh meteoroloSy
has only begun to be developed. We not only
need to make certain and permanent the results
thus far achieved. but We need also to provide
for and facilitate further discoveries.
The first requisite Of The service Is, therefore,
that there be as few changes in its members rs
possible. At present nearly all the Signal
officers belong to the Regular Army and are
liable to orders returning them to their regi-
ments mt any time. Indeed, there is bill be-
fore Congress providing that no officer shall be
allowed to be absent from his regiment for
longer period than three years. If this were to
become a law, the most valuable men in the
Signal Service would be removed from it, Grip
ping the service almost irrcparably, and max
ing future progress impossible by sending men
away lust ut the moment when their labors
began to be valuable. The work OF the
Weather Bureau requires long and careful
training. The training which the officers of
the Army have already received fits them
especially for the work, and the discipline OF
the military system is Of great advantage in
promoting the thor0ughucs3 and efficiency Of
the service. For these reasons it is desirable
that the corps should be continued as part Of
the military establishment bat as distinct
department of it. The Army viii III no wise
suffer from this arrangement, for it will give
employment To a few Idle officers VINO have
absolutely nothing ci-c to do.
II the biz becomes a law it will add about
$4,000 a year 10 the cost Of the Army and we
are sure that there can be no assessment made
upon the country which The taxpayers Will be
more glad to meet. Public sentiment has given
its approval of the change with great unaumity
and hcarincss. Nearly every Chamber Of
Commerce, Board Of Trade and Produce TX
change in the country has sent petitions to
Congress asking for the passage of the bill
We trust these viii be needed, Is there is every
reason that they should be.