New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-10
TAKIEG THE WE1THER TNDIoA17oNS
THE DUTIES OF THE SIGNAL SERVICE OBSERVER
his AIRY HOME.

THE DUTIES OF THE SIGNAL SERVICE OBSERVER
his AIRY HOME.
There IS one man in this city who Is constantly
brought before the attention OF the public In the papers
1t is safe to say that not day in the year passes with
ont his name getting into print Bright and early
every morning tho newspaper reader looks for him.
He Is the Signal Service observer Yet well as he Is
known, as much as the people hear about him, and
as much as they depend upon him, few persons know
where he IS how he lives and Just what his dutios are
Away M on the top Of the Equitable Building there
Is little box-fke structure from the roof OF which
rises flagstaff. On the top Of the slender shaft
there is always signal flying Sometimes 1t hangs
dead end lfeless sometimes it stands straight out,
firmly and clearly defined and again It whips around
furiousy, but never to fly. Now it Is bit OF
huttering white, now q triangular red with DOT OF
black in the CENTRE indicating by turns far or stormy
weather 1t Is here mp In tho air above the city
that the observer HIVES does his work and makes him
self known to the people. His llte flags are the al
vance courers OF every change in the weather, ana
with every change there is displayed different signal
WHAT THE OFFICE IS LIKE.
The weather bureau, in form, appearance ana
arrangements, Is not unlike q snug ship-cabln. The
coscy little box Is divided of into two apartments.
On all sides OF the two rooms are windows which are
nothing more than portfolios Of ship. The walls
are covered with maps charts and the dotted traclng
Of cold and warm waves and OF storms. On taoIes
and stands are fitted up shining instruments, tho
wands of tho weather augT. There Is orSht-hued
carpet on tho floor endless heaps Of papers on the
files, and everywhere the signs OF the work OF the
observer. At broad desk in one end OF the room
ibere always sits man lndustriousy recording every
phase Of the weather conditions.
sIanal Service observer, 10 enjoy life NJ all,
must have the patience Of Job and moro than provere
ial good-nSture. His work Is to serve tho puono'
and In doing this he IS exposed TO constant inter
rlption and annoyances For instance, he receives
over fifty calls week from reporters alone He
answers the telephone something Like 100 times in
,hn ssme time and every man considers II his UNI
disputed privilege to drop in and ASK all tho questions
bo can think OF at any time Of tho day No ono
ever fails to meet with courtesy who climbs up 70
tbis airy little home. but the observer Is often
severely tried.
WHO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE WEATHER
eoroean. Dunn said the other day Il think
rpotess bother US most but, OF course they anyways
como here with q purpose and they generahy kno"
uhat they want There arc many, however, WIN
seep 10 come on general principles. AS for cans
uc Get them constantly from many more people than
one would suppose Grain men always watch INC
indications carefully and seafarng men come rushing
nm nj every change Of signals II were TO put OUT
storm dcnal now should be bcsieged In less Ihah
an hour You can see from this 40"
closo,v thai flagstaff Is watched. Fruit men, Of
arc as much Interested in the weather IS grain
men Then travellers everybody whose plans could
h. affected BY the weather, follow our Indications no
The ogieor makes two observations day one N
tho morning and one IN the evening besides ms,
snto,nate electrical Appliances register the eOnditOn
20 the tbermometcr and the barometer the winds ana
ie air currents Al regular intervals AZ CERTAIN sGsr
yf,nn tclsvrauh wires and r. thus kept In regular
eommuncaiGn with tho different parts OF the county,
= rair
nsatr,, and nIght There Is no hour In the DAY
when The chair Before the charts can be found vacant
To him tho barometer Is what inc 9TS and tbroneb
Mir, sends IFS messages to the thousands OK people Ho
inTn no their paper every morning 10 sec u INC "o
is 10 be fair or cloudy warmer or eoher'