Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-08
PROF. HARRINGTON TESTIFIES.
ne Explains Many Matters Which Have
Been Brought Out in the Investigation.

THE TowSsHEyD, PERRY, CRANE AND NICHOLS
CASES REFERRED TO AT LENGTH AND HIS
ACTION IN EACH ACCOUNTED FoR-wHY
MLAUGHLIS WAS DISMISSED.
After The Stars report of the weather
bureau investigation closed on Saturday after
noon the testimony was continued and the de-
tense practically closed their case. although one
more sitting will be held this afternoon at
O'Clock, after which it Is thought the taking of
testimony will have been finished, and Gen.
Colby viii begin the arduous work of making a
final review of the vouminous testimony, COM
prising many hundred typewriter pages.
Saturday after the other witnesses had been
finished with Prof. Harrington went on the
stand, and his evidence of the greatest in
terest in the explanations it offered. from the
defense point of view, for the matters upon
which charges had been based.
Before Prof. Harrington took the stand, and
after Capt. Stone had finished, Chief Clerk
Smith and Private Secretary McCady added to
their former testimony Mr.. Smith gave evil
dence to his knowledge of the friction between
Capt Stone and Mr.. Mclaughlin in regard to
the latter's alleged delay in signing vouchers
for the pay rolls. He also corroborated the
other witnesses for the defense in regard to the
conversation between Lieut.. Pursell and Prof.
Harrington relating to the reappointment OF
Mrs. Baker as an expert compiler. According
to Mr.. Smith. Prof. Harrington did not in any
way urge Lieut.. Pursell to refrain from LAYING
the matter before the Secretary of Agriculture
on the grounds that it would hurt him Har-
rington) in the Investigation, but that on the
other hand the professor had said that it was
neither of their business, Mrs. Baker had
been appointed by Secretary Morton himself.
and any action which Lieut.. Pursell shoIld
take in the matter would only tend to getting
the lieutenant himself into trouble.
Private Secretary McCady, who was also in
the room at the time the conversation took
place. corroborated this version OF the affair.
Prof Harrington has hitherto listened ST.
lently to the evidence, but at this point he took
the stand actively.
PROF. HARRISGToNs TESTIMONY.
Prof Harrington testified to being chief Of
the bureau: to having been appointed in 1891
by the President on the recommendation of the
Secretary Of Agriculture. Formerly he had
for dozen years been professor Of astronomy
at Ann Arbor University and edited a scientific
paper. Prof Harrington told Of the improve
ments made BY him in the forecasting service.
In this regard the witness spoke Of tine capable
services of Clayton and Bassler, of whom men
ton has been made. The witness said there
were about $50 employees of the bureau outside
the city and about 100 in this city. Then Mr..
Perry asked about the three men of the $50
about whom charges had been made In re-
gard to Titus Townshend Prof. Harrington told
of his conversation with Capt. TOwnshend. who
had told him that his son was formerly in the
service and had a good record. He had stayed
at Savannah during the yellow fever epidemic
and carried on his official work. The witness
had considered this deed Of the highest
bravery. The captain had told him that after
ward his son had taken to drinking, had got
into trouble and left the service. Prof. Har-
rington said that he felt high regard for Capt.
Towushend but had given him little or no en-
couragement that he would appoint his son. as
was desired. Afterward the question of
other observer at Pixies Peak came UP. The
matter was left in Mr.. McLaughlin's hands,
who was dilatory in tsking action
M'LAUsHLIN RECOMMENDED TowSsHESD.
FINALLY" said Prof. Harrington, ''McLaugh-
lin came to me and recommended young Titus
Townshend for Pixies Peak He gave him a
clean bill OF health. That is. let me under
stand that he was capable mentally, morally
and physically. Not one word was said about
any forgery, and 1 absolutely knew nothing
about any such crime until was told by my
counsel. Mr. Perry, that it comprised one of
the charges against me.
The witness had accepted young Townshend
gladly aud he had been appointed. The first
knowledge witness had that anything was going
wrong was the receipt Of the telegram from
Observer Myers, saving: "TOwnshend has re-
turned to duty. Recommend that he be re-
tained," which had been explained By the
Yong mans Esher, Sho had told OF re-
ceiylng private intelligence 30 the effect
that his son had been drinking again
Prof. Harrington had then considered ali the
circumstances n the matter and ha4 requested
Capt. Townsnend 70 get his wife to write let
ter of adplcnirion to the Young man, to write
one himself and 10 draw the draft 0fa 'stte-
vc,cn he h-1>-iS coGid send. The draft which
Capt. Yownshend had drawn ta3 been SreaIF
altered bv Eft-ss=. and sfte-Sa-c. On Nc-2lSR-
nn's advice, the Yhrase our past good record,
had been altered to ''your past good services"
Mclaughlin had objected to the former phrase
on the ground that 1t might prove embarrass
ing if it was ever found necessary to discipline
the young man again. Prof. Harrington ex-
planned that the escapade had occurred while
Townshend was off duty at Colorado Springs.
Since that time he had heard nothing detri-
mental to Townshend's character. Like man
he went through the gold cure, but still did his
duty. Referring to young Townshend, Prof.
Harrington said that in his opinion the young
man promised to turn out one of the best men
in the service. Tine witness said again that he
knew nothing Of the forgery until lately, when
told by his lawyer.
THE CASE OF PERRY.
Prof. Harrington next turned his attention to
the case Of Malcolm II. Perry, the observer at
Palestine Tex. who. it is claimed. he rein
stated after the man had been guilty Of forging
observations According to Prof. Harrington
his attention had first been called to this case by
Mr. Mclaughlin. ana ne mad turned IL over To MIN
TO investigate. Perry had been suspended. and
early in November Mclaughlin had made his
report. Prior to this the witness had given in
structions that all personal matters were to be
deferred until after election. On the Perry
port he had therefore simply written. Defer
until after election" The actior had had no
political significance whatever, and was simply
taken in line with the general policy that dur
ing the few days preceding an election matters
relating to personal character had better be
postponed. At this time the witness had made
an official trip to Mexico, and on his return in
January had found matters relating to the
Perry affair in very warm condition The
two Senators from Texas and the Represent
atlve from the Palestine district were making
every effort in Perry's behalf, while the best
citizens of the neighbOrhood around the Pales-
tine station had requested in the strongest
terms that Perry be retained. The witness
had however. still retained his impression that
Perry should be dismissed. and his only idea
had been to do this without the action being
detrimental to the service i'll Texas.
4 LITTLE SENSATION.
At this point Prof. Harrington created some
little sensation. He testified that on February
16 he had decided that something should be
done. and on that day he had accordingly laid
before Secretary Rusk a letter recommending
that Perry be dismissed. This letter was placed
in evidence by the witness. Prof Harrington