Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-15
OLD PROBABILITIES ON PAPER.
The Predictions and Cold Wave Signals
Verified Nine Times Out of Ten.

Sergt. 5. C. Emery, observer in charge
OF the Signal Service station at this point
has just received the annual report OF
Gen. Hazen, Chief signal Officer. Ii is
comprised in a handsome pamphlet OF
about ffty pages, which contains an in
teTesting review OF the signal service
Corps, and the work it has accomplished
during the year.
The weather forecasts, based upon tri-
daily telegraphic reports, have been regu-
larry issued during the year and, as an
evidence of their practical value, they
now form an important item OF news LOT
the Associated Press Of the country. Inc
most important new feature Of the lndlca-
ton work during the year has been the
large increase in special indications for
particular localities. These special lore
casts are made daily at l a. m. and 10 a.
m. for the succeedng day, for the prlnci-
pal centres OF population, for lines OF rail-
roads and States, and are sent by special
message TO Signal Service Observers, d.
rectors Of State weather services, railroad
officials and editors, for the information
OF the public. At the close OF the year
the chief office was sending out regularly
twenty-nine OF these special messages, in
addition 10 the regular indications. The
value of these predictions Is generally
conceded.
The system of indicating cold waves by
nags Is an innovation which has yielded
the most gratifying results. The mis-
takes made are very rare. and the fore
casts have been verified except IN cases
when the waves have been detected by
sudden and remarkable temperature
changes. OF the $40 cold wave signals
displayed during the year, SIS, or S62 per
cent. were justified.
The work in this important division OF
the office requires special study and ex-
perience 10 insure the best results. The
assistants who have had the most expert
ence in the preparation of weather fore
casts are assigned to this duty.
The system OF river observations and
flood warnings of the signal Service has
been greatly improved during the present
year.
In November, 1884, special instructions
were issued in pamphlet form for the
guidance of river Observers in erecting
gauges, taking observations, rendering
reports, etc. On Jan. l, 1885, the special
river stations were arranged in sections
and placed in charge Of the Signal Service
observers at section centres. These CEN
tres are usually located at some import
ant city where the river reports in the
vicinity can be most advantageously col
lected and published for the benefit OF the
river commerce.
A system OF signal flags to indicate the
changes IN temperature and weather has
been greatly extended during the present
year. These flags are extensively dis
played on lines OF railroads and at rail-
road stations, and communicate the
weather forecast made by the chief office
to many who are unable to procure the
printed indications. Special bulletins
have been issued for the cotton-belt region.
Reports are collected and disseminated in
the region from April to Oct. of each
year. The appropriation is only $1,000,
and for next year Gen. Hazen recon-
mends that it be increased to $40, 600.
One million six hundred and thirty
nine cipher words Of weather reports
were received at, and sent from, the chief
office during the year. Seventy thou
sand two hundred and twenty-five tele-
grams, other than weather reports, were
sent and received during the same
period. The general work of the service
is performed by 21 officers, 3 professors,
junior professors, 800 enlisted men, and IA
civilian clerks.
Sergeant s. c. Emery has charge of the
station here, the observatory being To-
Gated in the fourth story of the Post
Office building. Sergeant Emery came
here year ago from Wisconsin, where
he was in charge of important
stations. His assistant is Private
David. Both have shown themselves
courteous and obliging officials.