Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-20
WANTED. INVESTIGATION.
THE CHIEF OF THE WEATHER BU-
REIU .1SKS For Il SENATORI4L
INVESTIG1TION.
The Secretary of War Declines to Approve
His Request, and Suggests IA Military
Court of Inquiry-The Cause of Gen.
Hazen's Strange Request-The Cores
pOndence in Full


WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The following is
the late correspondence between Gen
Hazen and the secretary of war in regard
to Gen. Hazen's request that senate
committee be appointed to investigate the
signal service bureau:
OFFICE CE1EF SIGNAL OFFICER, WASH
INGroN, Feb. IS. 1683.-To the Honorable.
the Secretary OF War: | have the honor
to acknowledge tho receipt OF your COM
munication OF the 18th inst, in reply to
mine Of the 14th, asking that the president
of the senate be requested by resolution to
appoint committee of its members to
thoroughly investigate the affairs of this
bureau. I made my request that the sec
rotary ask for the senate resolution pro
viding for an investigation OF
certain allegations that have been made
against the administration of the signal
service, because L want justice done me
and my bureau. If thought the desired
end could be obtained by court of in
quiry so well as it can he by committee
of the senate, should ask for that I ask
for committee of the senate instead of
tives, because the house of representa-
tives expires on the 4th of March and
will not have time to make the investiga-
tions. 1t may be as the secretary sug-
gests that the senate cannot investigate
allegations made in the other house of
congress, but there can be no doubt of the
power of the senate to investigate gener-
ally bureau concerning which it pro-
poses to legislate. 1t is particularly sug
gested that court of inquiry cannot re-
port concerning legislation, as the secre
tary knows that bill is on the calendar of
the senate providing for organizing this
service. In my opinion a full investiga-
ton and fair discussion of the merits of
the measure will result in its enactment.
Another bill is also before the
senate, which, if 1 read his annual report
correctly, embodies the views of the secre-
tary. 1t provides for the transfer of the
bureau to the interior department.. Both
the secretary and myself are charged by law
with the care of the signal service and
with its meteorological work. I believe
the service ought to continue to do the
weather work, and I am willing and anx-
ious that congress shall examine the ques-
ton to the bottom. There is nothing here
thai want to conceal. There is nothing I
believe that any officer of the SER
vice desires to hide. Charges
have been made to the
country through the public press against
bureau of the war department., and l de-
sire and l assume that the secretary also
desires that the country shall know the
whole truth. A court of inquiry cannot SO
well inform the country, and more than
that such court affects public opinion,
against one who is under charges. I know
that have done nothing wrong in aid of
legislation which I think proper, but I
know also that much wrong has
been done to me and to the
service by our enemies inI
opposition to that proposed legislation. 1t
has seemed to me fair treatment demands
CATION; that the question of the retention
or non retention of the weather bureau in
the war department shall be met squarely
and that the bureau be driven out because,
it ought to be,and not be pushed out by in
direction. 1 Look to the secretary of war
for his support IN my desire. I feel sure
he is willing to do my bureau simple JUS
tice, and that he, too, desires that its status
shall be fairly considered. 1t may
be that my request for this
investigation, made as it was
through the secretary, was without prece
dent. But it was at least courteous. de-
sire to say informed the Associated Press
of the fact of the application to the secre-
tary because supposed as matter of
course there would be no objection to my
asking an inquiry into the administra-
ton of my bureau by body having its
affairs under consideration. [ again re-
new my request that the senate be asked
to appoint committee to investigate the
administration of this bureau and its |
proper status in the public service, and |
that any committee that may be appoint |
ed have power to send for persons and pa
pers. In view of the publication of the |
two letters preceding this one to the secre-
tary from me dated Feb. IA, 1888, and an
other from the secretary to me dated Feb. |
Is, 1888, 1 respectfully ask that this letter
be given to the press. I am, very respect |
fully, your obedient servant,
Signed W. B. HAzEN,
Brigadier and brevet major general, chief
signal officer U. S. A.
LINCOLN TO HAzEN.
OcCIOUdIy LIHOOln 1OPllON do 1Ol1OWos
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb 17.-Sir: I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of yesterday in which you re-
new your request for the appointment of
committee by the senate to Investigate
the administration of the signal bureau
and its proper status in the public service.
I have read your letter with care but do
not find in it sufficient reasons for disre-
garding the considerations upon which I
felt compelled to disapprove your original
application. Whatever may be the i'm
portance of the investigation by the SEN
ate for the purpose of ascer
tanning the proper status of your
bureau in the public service
in reference to the propriety of the pas
sage of one or another of the bills now
pending, it seems to me clear that it is
the province of each house of congress to
determine, with suggestions from this de-
partment, what measures. if any, it will
take to obtain information in addition to
h. -