Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-11
1T IS CLEARING UP.
The Atmosphere About the Weather
Bureau Getting Better.
CONFERENCE BETWEEN OFFICIALS.
Changes and Reforms Which the
Secretary Wishes Carried Out.
THE SCIENTIFIC FORCE.

Tho atmosphere about the weather bureau
has cleared OF very perceptibly since the re-
cent investigation and affairs there are running
along smoothly, with but little probability Of
any further changes being made in the near
future. Yesterday Chief Harrington had a
personal conference with Secretary Morton,
and the relations between the Secretary and his
chief weather officer, which as an outgrowth Of
the investigation had become somewhat
strained, are again relaxing. In discussing the
affairs Of this bureau today Secretary Nor
ton denied any knowledge Of any intention
OF asking for Mr.. Harrington's resignation.
The Office was a presidential gift, but the Sec
retary believed there had been no change con-
templated. He paid q high compliment to
Mr.. Harrington's ability, and said it would be
exceedingly difficult, were it even deemed ad-
visa5le, to find competent man to take his
place. The position Of chief Of the weather
bureau the Secretary looks upon as one en-
ti,ely without the pale Of politics. and, so far
as he knew, Prof Harrington would remain.
MORE USEFUL.
This bureau is one in which Secretary Nor
ton has taken lively interest, and he said to-
day that 1t was his wish to make IL popular, re-
which 1t has gradually ascendsd aud bring II
down to a level where it would abound IN prao-
ticai work. In short. he will insist upon nsefnl
forecasting. 80 that the farmer, the miner, the
shipper and the commercial man can derive
from IL the greatest possible good. What the
knowledge beforehand of wfat is to happen, so
that they can prepare for its rather than q
scientlhc diagnosis in the line Of cause and
eject after 1t Is all over.
In addition to cutting of Q number Of what
he calls useless scientists Secretary Morton
proposes to save money in the matter Of tele-
graph tolls. He has suggested to the President
and the Attorney General the advisability Of
the Department Of Justice making contract
with the telegraph companies for a certain rate
for the government, covering the work Of all
departments
THE SCIENTISTS.
tinge Of sarcasm is apparent in the Secre-
tary's discussion Of the scientific force Of the
weather bureau. Prof. Abbe claimssto have
discovered method for determining the fu-
ture tracks Of storms after they have become
well defined and developed, and the Secretary
asks: Then Why are the future tracks Of storms
not added to the weather map from dsy to
day? II the method is established such work
would greatly enhance the value Of the weather
maps to the general public. Why have the
for the Improvement Of the forecasts Con.
corning Prof. Bigelow's claim that the results Of
his studies will enable the bureau to extend its
forecasts over months, or even years, the Sec
retary says he apprehends such forecasts would
degenerate into the style Of the ancient alma
mac, wherein might be found at frequent inter-
walls, about this time expect rain"
The real object of the bureau is, he says, to
state with certainty what the weather will be
tomorrow or the next day. and, holding such
plain, unscientific notions, he looks upon Prof
Bigelow's work as wholly theoretical and its
continuation unjustfable. Secretary Morton
has also decided to discontinue the ''river and
flood room" work, and. at an early date, place
the river forecasts in charge Of the observers
located on the principal rivers. As result Of
this, Messrs. Carl Barus, F. N. Bigelow and
Thomas Russell, professors of meteorology,
will be dropped from the rolls this month,
along with . number Of clerks and other en-
ployes.