Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-17
Concernine the weather Bareau

TO the Editor Of THE EvENNo SrAR.
VIII you allow me brief space In which 70
relieve my mind OF q few observations not on the
weather, but on the weather bureau. / am thus
moved by reading, . few days ago the alleged
reasons given by General W. B. Hazen why the
signal service should not be placed in charge OF
the Interior Department The reasons given BY
the gentleman are three in number, viz: Under
military administration he claims men can more
certainly be held to an exact performance OF their
duties than would be possible under civil one:
This Is nonsense. There are variety OF duties
entrusted to civil onicers OF the government
submit, which are OF vastly more importance than
and yet the rules and regulations Of the civil de-
partments, together with the probity OF the indi-
viduals to whom these duties are entrusted. are
sufficient to insure their faithful performance
Again. General Hazen enlarges upon what he
terms the economy Of the present system. Wheth-
ton. At any rate. it would look to q man up a
tree as II q system which enabled Captain How
gate to achieve national reputation" at govern
ment expense might be the reverse Of economy.
Besides, this government Is not so poor as to be
compelled to divert its few soldiers from their
n 10 sase na
enlistment is necessary in order to retain compe-
tent men now employed In this branch OF the gov
all government employees for what an embarras-
ment would 1t not cause II they should all STAN:
other high on1cials lie awake all night worrying
over the terrible consequences of such an occur
renee But there Is hardly any danger. few
die now and then, and even that they do reluct-
antly But resign newer Let the service.
then, be transferred to civil officers, and the
sooner the better. Unlike our navy. the army has
plenty to dO-more than 1t can well attend to, and
the more OF its personnel is withdrawn from bureau
duties and placed in their proper sphere, the less
will be read OF horrible massacres OF our pioneers
and the worse fate which so OFTEN befalls their
wives and daughters General Hazen complains
OF the anonymous attacks Of which he claims to
have been the object. OF these know nothing
certainly never read anything beyond the head.
lines; but that my few remarks may not be claSSed
In that category, append my name.
AUGUST DONATE, 1405 9Th street.
THE NIGHT LODGING HousE-At a special meet
Ing OF the directors OF the night lodging house,
held at the new lodging house building,
on 18th street. Thursday, Vice President Solomons
presiding, the members expressed themselves well
pleased with the adaptability OF the new
building to the future work OF the asso-
citation. Mr.. Solomons presented the aSso-
citation with a register which he had prepared for
the entry OF names of visitors, with such remarks
and suggestions and they may be pleased to make
In relation to the institution and its work. The
report OF the superintendent for the month OF
January was read, showing that 1872 persons had
been fed and lodged, $50 OF whom were white and
80 colored, making 964 meals served, each receiv-
Ing supper Of good beef and vegetable soup
with bread, and bread and coffee for break
last Among the number above were all nation
mons stated that the whole cost OF running the
establishment was not above 500 per month
when 1t was open during the five months OF the