Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-01
VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVERS.
They Are to Be Under the Supervision of
Sergeant Barwick.

They Are to Be Under the Supervision of
Sergeant Barwick.
The following letters recently received
from Lieutenant W. A. Glassford, of the
Chief Signal Office at Washington, will be
self-explanatory
WASHINGTON. October 9Th.
Lieutenant J. p. Finley, Signal Corps, San Fran
cisco, Cdl.-SIR: Referring to the numerous re-
ports from yourself to the effect that your regu-
lar duties sre sufficient to occupy your entire
attention, and that you have but limited oppor-
to voluntary observers, the Chief Signal Officer
personally directs me to inform you that he has
reluctantly concluded to place the whole sub
ject of correspondence and instruments for Cal
ifornia voluntary observers and the entire man.
agement thereof in charge of Sergeant Barwick
at Sacramento, who has made special study
of the climate OF California, has ample time to
devote thereto, and who will be able, it is
hoped, to conduct the matter with energy and,
it is thought in the best interests of the State.
The necessary action will be taken by this
Office to INFORM I'm Ct this decision, and to
give him covering th s asssen
Second Lieutenant Signal Corps.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SERGEANT BARwIcK.
WASHINGTON, October 25th.
The Observer, Signal Service, Sacramento, CAL
SIR: / am directed by the Chief Signal Officer
to inclose herewith copy OF a letter dated Oc
=
eountability for Signal Service property in the
hands of voluntary observers throughout Cali
fornia be vested IN you.
The Observer OF this service at San Francisco,
Cal, has this day been instructed to invoice to
you such property as he may be accountable
for. His invoices should be accompanied by
memorandum receipts of the voluntary OBJ
servers, and bonds, whenever he may have the
latter on file. AS rule, however, the bonds
are filed at this Office.
Please receipt to him for all property satisfac-
torily accounted for, by memorandum receipt
or otherwise.
You will also request the voluntary observers
to forward to you their semi annual return of
property, form No 26 E, supply of which has
been sent to you.
The inclosed circulars will give you an idea
of the policy of this office, in the matter OF Sc
curing additional observers.
The State is, as rule, well covered with sta
tions no special effort will therefore be made to
increase the present number, except in local1-
ties where there are no stations within radius
of fifty miles, or located SO as to lender reports
of special value.
1t will be impracticable in matter of this
character to lay down definite rules for your
guidance, or to set forth, except in a general
way, the scope of your duties in regard to volun-
untary observers.
The following outline will, it is believed,
cover your duties in this respect for the present.
viz:
/ To account for the property now in the
ha1ds of voluntary observers, and that which
may be issued to them in future.
2. To conduct correspondence necessary in
replacing broken instruments.
8. To do all preliminary work relative to Sc.
curing new stations in California, and subse-
quently in forwarding instruments to such new
stations.
In dealing with cooperating observers of this
Service the Chief Signal Officer trusts that you
will bear in mind the Importance of serving all
portions OF the State with equal zeal and energy
and also OF the necessity of treating each o.
server with courtesy and consideration.
You will look over the field ard report
whether it will be feasible to extend the duties
set forth above so as to include an examination
of voluntary observers monthly reports by you,
before they are forwarded to this office. 1t is
thought that you might desire to tabulate and
retain data of temperature, rainfall, etc, at
your station for publication in the State Agri-
cultural Society's Report.
1t is not intended, however, to burden you
with extra labor; therefore, if such a feature
would in any way tax you too heavily it need
not be considered.
Very respectfully. ". A. GLAssFoRD,
Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps,
Records Officer.