Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-20

Persons Who Neglect to Change the
EIags-The signal Office Taking Steps
im the Matter.

Passengers up and down 14th street during the
recent storm were considerably amused and puz-
zled by the appearance OF a nag lying from the
peak OF a certain high building somewhere be
tween Thomas Circle and the Boundary. Accord
ing to the orthodox code OF signals IL Indicated
and predicted warm weather; in fact. such was its
combination OF cOlors and positions that there
seemed to be torrid wave due here at any minute
This, In view OF the condition OF things above and
below the benlghted passers, was not q little puz-
cling. The winds blew, and the rain descended,
and the agile mercury snuggled down into the
protection Of the bottom OF the thermometer, but
still the gaudy harbinger or heat nung forth its
prevaricaJing folds, and signal Service stock went
down along with the mercury
All appearances pointed TO the responsibility OF
the service for the display OF such a signal, and
bitter was the sarcasm. and loud were the COM
frost from the car windows and peer up to see II
the nag was still there. This Is but one OF many
examples OF carelessnes5 that it is TO be feared
mas mn cases led 20 serious results on one end OF
The Pension once floats the stars and stripes
while from the north gable futter few pointed
of a watchInan.
WHAT GEN. GREEDY SAYS.
In view OF this seemingly unreliable system a
STAR reporter called on Gen. GreeE the other day
10 learn The reason why such deplorable mistakes
have been made The Chief signal Officer was sur
prised when told OF the 14th-street nag. at my
hope he remarked, s'thaI some one Will Introduce
bill IN Congress making IL ofiense for any per-
son 10 display any kind OF Government signals
without license and due regard to Instructions
We do not furnish predictions 70 such an estab-
lshment a. you describe, ana the error l. the re-
suit OF their carelessnes IL no pleasant task
60 have TO father ana bear the blame OF our own
mistakes, and we cannot AFFORD TO be responsible
for those OF Others. The same Kind OF thing han
pened In the case OF the Pension ONCE For a long
time We have furnished them with readings three
times day, out the man IL charge OF the nag has
grown careless, sometimes allowing one nag 10 ny
Tor several days.
The cold wave flag was az one time flown from
the Franklin school, but they grew careless there
TOO. ana was nnally. forced 20 complain 10 the
Commissioners and request that the Janitor be
prohibited from displaying the nag. MY note had
the very opposite result Instead OF stopping that
nag they asked me 10 give them additional data
50 that there could be two stations established
ana promised greater care. The nag on the Post
building was very well attended 20 for a time but
IL has latterly fallen into bad habits. | AN glad
that you have called my attention 10 this matter
and shall take steps at once 10 remedy the
trouble as far as can, for cannot AFFORD TO have
tbs rcpctation OF the service ruined entirely BY
these nags Is 70 advertise their business"
REMEDY TO BE APPLIED.
At this he sent for one OF the seryeants OF the
service and gave instructions for the preparation
OF a notice 70 all persons displaying nags. Data
Will be furnished them just as long the indica-
Tons carried by Jhe hosting OF the nacrs.
but as soon as the Instructions are disregarced
an endeayor viii be made 70 prevent the hosting
al the nagS
.-Of course" added the general. tive might Oh
tain an Injunction from the courts, restraining
people from hosting these rags without orders
D1t IL would hardly lie worth the trouble"
The following statement OF Official and unofficial
mas was prepared by the officer In charge OF the
stations division OF the ofice:
Receiving predictions from signal Ofrice-pen
SION once; X. l. simpson, Dr., PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nue., Capitol Hill, AMI W. VI. Hahn q Co .s3I Penn
sylvania avenue southeast. IL Is learned tbat
signals are displayed ey the following named who
receive the predictions from some other Source
PROBABLY through the pres: A. Il. CrOpley West
Washington: Willet & lbbey ana ths dy,,egss sr
corner l4th and streets northwest