The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-19
HOW THE WEATHER is MADE
One of the Governments Inspectors
Talks of the Bureaus Wcrk.
improvement of the Signal STRENGTHENING
in Popular COnfidence-Lieutenant Wap-
penhanS Complimented- Rain Making.

Up in the fourth story of the Ingalls,
Block, in Lieutenant Wappenhans's sane
tum, Journal reporter yesterday found
Mr.. III. c. Bate, of Nashville. Tenn. who Is
one of the Signal-service Weather Bureau
inspectors. Mr.. Bate arrived in the city
Friday night. and came to inspect the
signal-service station here. He Is a very
pleasant, agreeable gentleman. and was
formerly a newspaper man, having been
connected at one time or another with
nearly all of the Nash Vile papers. REGARD
ing the work of the signal service he
is an enthusiast, and talked freely
and pleasantly to the reporter yester-
day. Before the transfer of the signal
service from the War to the Agricult-
tural Department most of the inspection Of
weather bureaus was done by the lieuten-
ants of the signal corps. but now there are
four inspectors who cover the entire Unit
ed States. The country is not, however.
divided into districts. The only other in
spector yet appointed beside Mr.. Bate is
Captain Townsend. of Philadelphia.
In the course of the conversation Mr..
Bate said 1T is the object of the chief of
the Weather Bureau, Professor Harring-
ton. to have each station inspected at least
once q year. yet some that have already
visited were inspected less than year ago.
This arises from the fact that it ID the desire
of the new chief to extend the benefits of
the service as much as possible. The fact
that the service is being i'm
proved. 1 think, is apparent in the wider
dissemination of information to the public.
A. great deal more confidence in the reports
of the signal service exists now than for
merly. which is due in O very large measure
to the unremitting efforts of the chief of
the bureau. One of the greatest draw
backs to the bureaus efficiency is an insult
hcient appropriation, but think that by
the time the next Congress convenes the
value of the service will DO so much recog-
nized that more fitting appropriation will
be made think that Secretary Rusk, Who
takes great interest in the workings of the
bureau, will recommend ON increased ap-
preparation.
THE TRANSFER WORKED WELL.
1.-THE transfer of the Weather Bureau from
the War to civil department." continued
Mr.. Bate, was looked forward to with con-
siderable anxiety by some who thought the
efficiency of the bureau would be impaired
by the change; but the transfer was made
without any friction, and the machinery of
the department moved on as though moth
ing had occurred.
"The Weather Bureau is fortunate in re-
retaining the services of Maj. III. III. T.. Dun
wildly, who Is now assistant chief of the
bureau, Captain Craig Lieutenant Glass
ford and other prominent officials. Much of
the success Of the transfer was due to the
excellent management and counsel of Maj.
Dunwiddy, whose long experience in the
signal service renders him AN almost indis-
pensable factor. Most of the old weather
observers have also been retained. and
are doing excellent service. and giving the
public the benefit of it. Mr.. Wappenhans
the service, and the bureau, and / presume
the public, also, appreciate his work:
When he was appointed the new chief of
the Weather Bureau expressed an earnest
desire to make the best possible use of the
means at his disposal, and / believe the
people who never had much opinion OF 1t
before; and constant requests for informa-
ton regarding the weather proves that
this confidence is increasing. Yesterday j
was in the office here all day. and hardly an
interval of five minutes passed that
the telephone was not rung by some
one who aDxi0usly inquired about the
weather. As matter of fact the signal
service is yet in its infancy, but the day is
fast approaching when lt will be an indis-
pensable factor in all kinds of business
where weather conditions affect public or
individual interests. Instances might be
mentioned where thousands OF dollars have
been saved to business men by the timely
cold waves, frosts, high water, etc., re-
ceived from local observers. But recently
business uYan OF your city told Mr.. Wap-
penhans that his business had been saved
more than $4,000 from the fact that he had
needed warning sent out by him.
THE WEATHER MAPS.
1.-THE weather maps are means also to
the end of having the service appreciated
rs 1t should be. In many cities they are
conspicuously posted up in the public
schools. and the children and teachers take
great interest in studying them. In nv
work have suggested to various observers
the propriety OF posting these maps in each
one of the schools of the city where they
are. and i have no doubt that in very
few years the study of meteorology will be
made q part of the curriculum of the pub
lie schools. OF course, this education OF
the public as TO the value of the weather
service must necessarily be gradual. but
when the people are fully educated it will
receive the moral support which will nee.
essarily enlarge its scope and power. and
1t will become what 1t is desired that ii
should be-one of the greatest blessings in
the country.
ut is very gratifying to note the increas.
ing interest being manifested in the signal
service by the public press and the cordial
support and cooperation given to 1t every
where that have been. The State weather
services are also valuable adjuncts to the
national service. and shou Id receive cordial
support. Indiana, Tennessee. Ohio and
Illinois reap excellent. results from the
the volunteer services of those States.
am very much pleased with the condition
IN which find the office herein the way
Mr.. Wappenhans serves the public and
keeps the machinery going. My visit
has been very pleasant. and i have
MIR. Bate was asked what he thought of the
experiments made for securing rainfall by
the Dryenforth method. He said be
thought that if al appropriation sutfi
GENTLY large shoold be made by Con gress
to carry on the experiments that satisfac.
tory results might follow.
Mr.. Bate leaves indianapolis to-day. COINS
direct to Davenport. Ia, where he will in.
anact tho ION N Ia offioa