Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-28
The STATE WeATHeR-seRVIcE BILL.
An Address to the General Assembly by
Chairman Richard V. Gaines.
MossrSaFoRD. Va. February 10, 1892.

MossISGFoRD. Va. February 10, 1892.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Permit me, as chairman of the Legisla-
tive Committee Of the State Board of
Agriculture, TO address word TO the
General Assembly upon the subject OF the
State weather-seryice bill, which we Lad
the honor to present 10 that honorable
body.
We are informed that this bill hangs
fire" in the Senate because an appropra-
ton of $1,000 is asked for to put the ma
chmery INTO operation.
Let us see what Is the present status o.
things and how il was brought about,
what il Is proposed to do, whether this
money is necessary, and what good can be
accomplished by making this appropna-.
ton. Having regard to the possibilities OF
the service two years ago the state Board
of Agriculture prepared and laid before
the Legislature a similar bill, which was
approved by the Committees of Agricul-
ture of the two houses and placed IN the
hands of a special committee, Mr. Cabell.
of Amherst, chairman and patron. After
the matter was Investigated and the policy
of the Legislature had been developed we
were informed that to get the bill through
il would DO necessary to cut out the ap-
propriation. This was accordingly done
and q section inserted authorizing the
State Board of Agriculture TO carry on tho
work, using any portion OF the $4,000 APP
propriated for the purposes of the board
which they might find available for that
purpose. Nevertheless the bill was
pigeon-holed and allowed to die for some
unexplained reason.
o. Believing the matter of sufficient i'm
portance to the commercial, agricultural.
and other industrial interests of the Stare.
the Board or Agriculture at its April meeting
determined TO undertake the work upon
its own responsibility, having been assured
OF the hearty support and cordial co-cpe-
ration of the United States Weather Blu
reau, of Washington. and their observer IN
charge of the service in this State, Ser
gsant j., n. Ryker; This we felt en-
boldened TO do, as Congress had already
passed bill transferring the Weather Bu-
reau from the War Department TO the
Department of Agriculture. And more
over from the fact that though not
specifically charged with this duty
we were required generally to look after
and advance the agricultural interests
of the State by ali proper means. In fur
therance of that OBJECT the board elected
DR.. L. A. Craybill of Lynchburg director.
Sergeant Ryker. assistant director. aud
appropriated Sl5 per month t. pay for the
publication of summary OF their obser-
yations. &c.
Some twenty volunteer observers. who
had been furnished with instruments by
the United States Weather Service. were
also enlisted N the work. and during the
crop season OF the year weekly bulletins
of the rainfall, weather conditions. crop
prospects. &c, We're issued regularly.
which have me: the cordial appreciation
of the press and the public generally.
90 The object of the present bill of
which Senator Mcdonald is the patron, is
to extend and perfect the present State
service, bringing it in reach of all the citl-
zens of the State aud making it cover
every interest. 10 do this it is necessary
| to establish weather stations In every
county, city, and town of the State. For
this purpose we must have the necessary
instruments. and that our citizens may
| get the benefit of the observations and in
| formation collected we must have the
means of publishing and disseminating
weekly. monthly, and annually summaries
aud tabulations. The State Board of
| Agriculture and the observer in charge of
the United States Office have already gone
as far as they can with the mems at hand.
have not before me the appropriation for
the present fiscal year. but prior to this
some $2S5,0J0 was appropriated for OBJ
servation and report of storms aud ga
900 Tor maintenance and repair tsls,