New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-23
CIVILIdN VEATHER BUREAU.

Tbe law which transfers the National Weather
Service from the War Department, under whose
auspices il has been conducted for the twenty years
since it was organized, to the Agricultural Depart
mcnt. will go into effect on July l.. congress-
in directing this change, was proDaoly
Governed by the obvious fact that neteoro-
LOGICAL work is essentially civilian. and not mill
tary. in character. That body, no doubt, recalled
the fact that the great names in this science, IN
the United States and other countries, such as
Redfeld, Espy, Loomis, Fcrrcl, Hadley, Dove ana
Iuys Ballot, have belonged neither to soldiers nor
e,4lors: and that this is equally tue of the chiefs
of all foreign weather bureaus at the present time,
and of the best modern authorities in this field OF
science: Carpmael. Scott, Mascart, Ham, Sprung,
Kocppen. Van Bcbber, A~bercrombic, Ley, Flam-
ma rion. Teissercnc dc Bort, and so on through the
catalogue. The late Admiral Fitzroy, of England
and Lieutenant Maury, Of the United States, Doth
naval officers, are among the few exceptions tlIat
prove the rule. The wise use which Generals
Mver. IIazen and Greedy have made OF the services
Of Professors LOOMS, Fcrrel, Able, Mendcnhall,
Luton, Russell and lIazen. in training the Signal
Corps In meteorological work, and in the necessary
scientific researches of the bureau, still iurtner
embassies this truth. II is easy 10 sec WHY
Secretary Lincoln, General Sherman, leading scien-
tiiic societies and other high authorities shoui'
have mme to Congress the course finally
taken in this matter.
J-pon the initial appointment under the new
regime more will depend than upon later ones
The general spirit which ~pcrvades the admlnistra-
ton of this bureau at the outset will probably
he pcrpctuated for years. 1t is much to be
desired that the new chief shall not be n politician
who will regard his Office as partisan Hpolls, or
merely n dignifcd and amiablc. but ignorant, hg-
! urebcad. or a tool Of speculative cllques, or, III
| fact. any one who would degrade instead OF I'm
nrovinr the service. The ideal director would
DO some man who Is already distinguished for his
scientific attainmcnts, a Jealous, experienced ana
trusty investigator, thoroughly progressive With
! ont being a crank" who pcrceivcs the nature
and importance Of the vast questions which th's
infant science Of mctcorOl0gy yet has To solve
and what a unique field the United States pre-.
sents for such study, but who is also practical
and honest enough to run the bureau for the
benefit Of the taxpayers. An idle theorist would
hc almost as Objectionable as n downright scamp
I'm this Office. There Is no branch of the service,
unless il he the Postal Department, that 30 directly
| deals with the great business interests oil 'He
| country and with the welfare of the masses as 'c
| Weather Bureau and lis utility is stu capaolc
Of greater development than has set been attained,
| excellent as has 1pcn lnc pIogI'NS iHHN mus '"'
President Harrison will not have much
difficulty in finding a good man for this place
! among those who have already been connected
with the National weather service, or who direct
some Of our many State weather bureaus. or have
mode a special study Of mctc0roloSy IN thelr
work as college instructors. Congress
has properly provided that the daring
and skilful commander 81 the Fort Conger Arctic
expedition of ~lSsl'si shall, after the Signal
Corrs is relieved Of It's meteorological duties, re-
! tain his present military rank and cmollinent'
40 element Of personal reproach or hostility
has entered into the movement for the transfer
50 far as we know. The change thus Involves
10 indisnity 10 that gallant and accomplished
officer and popular hero. This is n fortunate
| phase Of the matter. And since several OF
| General Grccly's most valued assistants either
! gain promotion in the recognized branch OF
, military service in which they intend to remain,
or else 90 with the observers and clerks into the
rcw civil bureau. the President will experience
less embarrassment than would otherwlSc oc t"e
| case in selecting the new superintendent.