Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-07-29
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
WEATHER AND TEMPERATURE SIGNALS
CoLD-wAvE WARNINGS.

The benefits to be derived from the Sig
nal-Service have been heretofore discussed
at length. They are not emily general, fur
nishing indications of the temperature and
weather from twenty-four to forty-eight
hours in advance of the time at which
changes may be looked for, but the special
advantages to agricultural and business in
terests will prove Of very great value. This
service is under the direction of the War
Department with the chief office at Wash
ington, General W. B. Hazen, Chief Signal
Officer.
In circular issued on the 18th of May,
General Hazen informs the public of the
progress he is making in dissemina-
ting information, and suggests the means
by which almost every neighborhood, at
small expense, can realize the full benefits
of the Signal system. For the weather and
temperature signals, there are six white
flags, each six feet square, and with the
following colored figures No. 1, with
large red sun in the centre to indicate high
er temperature or warmer weather. No. 2,
red crescent in the centre, to indicate lower
temperature or colder weather. No. 3, red
star in centre, to indicate stationary tenn
perature No. 4, blue sun in centre, to in
dictate general rain or snow. No. 5. blue
crescent in centre, to indicate clear or fair
weather. No. 6, blue star in centre, to in
dictate local rain or snow. 1t will be OBJ
served that the flags are of uniform size
and white, and only two colors, red and
blue, and three different figures of each
color to represent the six stages of weather
classified three for temperature and three
for general rain or snow, clear or fair wealth
er, and local rain or snow.
In the progress the service is reaching,
may be included many small towns and
post-officss which can make arrangements
through telephone or otherwise, for COM
municating with railroad stations and post
offices receiving the reports. All such
places as shall secure set Of flags, the Sig
nal Office will aid in every possible way in
securing the daily signals.
The Signal system has also been adopted
by, and is in successful operation on, many
of the leading railroads by disks made of
steel or iron and displayed from the bag
gage cars. From this source of informa
ton intermediate and distant points from
the Signal stations can also receive correct
information, and then display the proper
flag.
There is another and separate flag for the
cold-wave warning 1t is also white flag,
six or eight feet square, with black centre
about two feet square. 1t is displayed in
advance of the cold wave, and is lowered
when the wave arrives. In the tobacco
belts of country this regulation will prove
of inestimable value, as planters will have
from twenty-four to forty eight hours
warning of the time frost may be expected.
Gen. Hazen states that he has no funds
from which he can furnish the flags, and
indicates if he had they would be distribu-
ted. They can be obtained from the fol-
lOWlAo halhOu pNit iOo, az PiiO esopfsoaSu'
The first six from M. G.. Copeland & Co.,
ga Louisiana Avenue, Washington, D. c.,
$500; John F. McHugh, 1886 Broadway,
N. Y, $40; Horstman Bros. & Co., Fifth
& Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, SIS; G. S.
Decker, 1853 State Street, Boston, SIS. AZ.
The cold wave flag, of either party, $3.50.
Correspondence i'll reference to purchas-
ing flags should be direct with the parties
named and not with the Signal Office.
Mr.. Fl. L. Heiskell, of the Chief Signal
Office, Washington, is now passing along
the Valley and B. & o. railroads for the
purpose of establishing Signal stations.
The service by metal disks displayed from
baggage cars will not be introduced on
these roads now, but we hope much time
will not elapse before the public will re-
ceive the largest amount of benefit which
this service can furnish.