Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-04

an lHIerndIlOnal geographical congress
held at Hamburg in 1879, at which
Germany, Russia, Austria, Hun
gary, Denmark, the Netherlands,
Norway and Sweden, a plan was
adopted for this work. At a subsequent
congress held in st. Petersburg in August,
1881, the details were arranged, and
assurances were given that the countries
interested would cooperate.
1t was originally intended to occupy the
polar stations as early as August, 1881,
but delays prevented the establishment of
any but those opened by the United States.
1t is now, however, definitely understood
that the international series of observa-
tons begun August l, 1882, will be regu-
larly continued hereafter.
Very valuable results are expected from
this work, among which may be mentioned
a more accurate knowledge of the cOndi-
tiOns which govern the origin and paths
of storms, the descent of polar waves of
unusual cold, the irregular and uncertain
movement of dangerous ice in the north
Atlantic, the more northern phenomena
of terrestrial magnetism and terrestrial
electric currents, the minute variations
and dip of the magnetic needle, the better
determination of the magnetic pole, and
more definite knowledge of the conditions
under which animal life, especially marine
life, exists in high ATTITUDES.
Germany, England, Russia, Austria,
France, Holland, Finland, Norway, SWe-
den, Denmark and Canada are now CO.
operating in this work. The United States
has station at Port Barrow, the most
northern point of Alaska, in latitude
II :67 n, longitude 156:15 w.
The subject of standards to be adopted
by the office, as a uniform basis of refer
ence for past and future work, has re-
ceived special attention.
The Signal Officer recommends the
adoption of one uniform time in all the re-
cords of the office, which will, it is con-
ceiVed, facilitate some branches of work,
but on account of the widespread interest
expressed in this matter, especially by
the Post Office Department and the rail-
road and telegraph service, and ON ac-
count OF some desire that any action taken
by this office should harmonic with that
taken by other governments throughout
the world, has deferred action on this sub
iect and cOncurred in the very general re-
quest that an international convention
might be held to consider the subject. He
thinks if the act of Congress recently ap-
proved by the President shall lead to
greater uniformity in the reckoning of
longitude and time, it will undoubtedly be
boon to the civilized world and to science
as great as the introduction of uniform
standards of measures. of money, etc.
The necessity for special Investigations
of the numerous questions that cOntinu-
ally recur in connection with she duties
of the office, and especially those relating
TO the laws of climate, etc, seems to far
surpass the working powers of the pres
ent limited force whose time is largely
preoccupied by an imperative daily rou-
tine. Some plan is needed by which those
scientists and younger students not en-
gagged in the service may be stimulated to
devote their talents to meteOrOlogy. The
establishment i'll scientific schools of chairs
or professOrships devoted to this subject
is a step very much to be desired. The
study of meteOrOlOgy and weather predic-
lions is certainly of as great practical i'm
pOrtance as that of astronomy, geology, or
any other science. Perhaps the inherent
difficulty of the study when conducted on
a thorough basis should the more heartily
commend it to the attention of the highest
universities. There is no reason why the
mathematical theory involved should not
receive some slight attention in the course
CONSTRUCTION at West Point.
The use of the balloon in observations
of temperature and in military signaling
are branches which possess interest and
which will be taken up.
The station at st. Michaels, Morton
Sound, Alaska, reports many interesting
facts. About eighty aurOras were noted
in four years, very few of which were
brilliant-the ordinary form being a low
and rather pale arch or series of arches in
the north. The cloud formation known as
''pOlar band" was very common. The at
tention paid to various outside branches
of inquiry, notably the zoology and eth
nolOgy, combined with the more strictly
meteorological work, will all unite in
completing the general description of the
country and its physical pecHliarities.
Avery interesting sketch of the country
and its characteristics are included in
the report.
A number of awards for signal service
displays were received, among them the
International Exhibition of Electricity
held at Paris, France, ana the Geographic
cal Exhibition and Congress held at
Venice, Italy.
A diploma of honor" was awarded by
the Electrical Exhibition in acknowledge
ment of the quality of the electrical dis
play presented by the Signal Service, the
display consisting of one section of field
telegraph train and electrical instru-
ments, designed in this office with the
view of securing continuing meteOrologi-
cal records.
Sergeant Adolf Eccard, Signal Corps,
United States army, who had immediate
charge of the display, was personally
awarded a silver medal for improvements
and intentions.
Maj. ID. p. Heap, United States Engi-
neer, who had general charge of the War
Department exhibits, reports that those
of the Signal Service attracted great at
tention, and that the diploma Of Honor"
was the highest award granted.
The Signal Service also received "Let-
ter of Distinction" from the Geographical
Exhibition and Congress for a display of
tri-daily weather charts issued by this Of
flee from November /, 1871, to December
81, 1879. This Letter of Distinction was
the highest award conferred, the diploma
of Honor" of first and second class and
Honorable Mention" following success
lively.
The Signal Service is one of the most eff
ficient and systematic of all the bureaus
of the government. Everywhere the OBJ
servers are watchful and faithful. The
Nashville Signal Service officer is L. n.
JesunOsky, and he is one of the most en-
terprising and enthusiastic men in the
service.