Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-22

against the administration of the weather
ban by James B. Mclaughlin was begun at
me Agricultural Department this morning.
Assistant Attorney General Colby con-
Quoted the proceedings, the only witness
TO be examined being Mr.. McLaugh-
lin Prof. Harrington was not pres
ent nor was he represented by any one In
fact the letter which he fled in reply to Gen
Colby'scommunication transmitting the charges
Indicated that he Was not aware that the in-
vestigation was to take place today.
Gen. Colby stated to q STAR reporter that
unless he was requested to do SO by Secretary
Morton he would not communicate with Prof.
Harrington on this matter. 81 gave Prof.
Harrington" said Gen. Colby. "every oppor-
tunity to inform me as to his wishes in this
matter, but he has not replied to me in any
way, and l will therefore go ahead with the in
vestgation- as 1 was directed and authorized to
do by Secretary Norton"
Secretary Morton had not had an opportunity
to read the reply of Prof Harrington, but
being informed in a general way by a STAR
reporter as to what it contained, and especially
as to Prof. HarringtOn's objection to Gen.
Colby, he said. ''Gen. Colby is acting Just AS a
master in ehancery in this investigation. 1t is
make a Recommendation"
VIII he continue to do sop asked the re-
porter.
He will most assuredly. / suppose that
Gen Colby has gone ahead with his investiga-
tion, as he should
As result of the former investigation Secre-
tary Morton today issued an order dismissing
Robert E. Brannou, the former captain of the
.A-A
erty at tine weather bureau. and appointing in
his stead Thos z. Ellsworth of Indiana. The
order was to take effect Immediately. There
were also dismissed from the weather bureau.
to take effect April 80. J. Balster j. T. Garner
and p. I. Lee. all watchmen.
MLAUGHLIS AS A WITNESS.
When the proceedings at tine Agricultural
Department were begun this morning James
B. Mclaughlin, chief Of the executive division
of the weather bureau was called and re-
qrested by Gen. Colby to state his personal
knowledge TO the charge of retaining in
Office unworthy officials
The witness referred particularly to the case
OF Titus f. Townsend. who stationed at
Jacksonville. Fla. The records. he thought
would show that this man had collected money
on checks not belonging to him. The Young
man fed from his station, but later was REIN
stated. as his forgeries had BEEN made
mp and he was son of Theo. f. Town
send. one OF the chiefs Of the bureau.
Some time later the witness WAS called to
Maj Dunwoodvs room aud asked by that Off
cisl to recommend Titus F. Townsend for an
assistant observer. II asked Maj. Dun
woody. said Mr.. Mclaughlin, whether
he knew of the character and charges
against Townsend. aud he replied that he
was acquainted with the fact that he was drunk
thea told Maj. DuDwoody that he had been
guilty Of forging. and Maj. Dunwoody said that
under these circumstances Townsend should
not be recommended
TOWNSEND GOT DRUNK AT PTKE's PEAK
''About six months later Townsend was ap-
pointed on the recommendation of Prof Har-
ringtou as IN assistant observer and assigned
to duty at Pixies Peak. One day a telegram
was received from the chief of that sta
ton to the fleet that Townsend has
returned 1 re-Jmmended his retention This
telegram was the first Official intlmatiou that
the bureau had that Townsend had been away
without leave. Afterward it was learned that
Townsend had got drunk and away from
his post for some time. The matter
brought TO the attention of Chief Harrington.
but the latter retained Townsend in Office and
had aided In covering up his WI ong doing.
He considered this action of Prof. Harring-
ton TO be detrimental TO the best interests of
the service NJ. Mclaughlin stated that he
Was 81 disadvantage in that be was upon fur
Tough and was dependent ON his memory for
the facts. while those against whom the charges
were made had access to the records. but he
believed the records would bea- him out in his
Statements.
FORGED METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS.
He continued that in the case Of Malcolm H.
Perry, an observer in the Department. it was
shown that he had in August last been guilty
os forging his meteorological observations The
attention of Prof. Harrington had been called
TO the case b. Mr. Mclaughlin. but ne had de-
layed taking any action. in one case making
note. Defer until after election"
Finally Perry was suspended for two
months. but on the recommendation
of some Congressman Perry was reinstated
In a conversation with Prof. Harrington the
latter had intlmatei to the witness that unless
Perry was reinstated the service would be at
tackled By Congress.
The witness cited another case Of baro-
metric reading made by Perry, which was $40
out OF the way, which was most
serious error. Mr.. Mclaughlin further
stated that the chief and assistant chief of
the bureau had stated TO him that the
Congressman specially interested in Perry
bad stated that under the circumstances the
bureau could have done nothing else than sus-
pend Perry. but that il was necessary to him
that be be reinstated- NJ. Mclaughlin, in
answer to q question. said be knew who the
Congressman vas, but preferred not to give the
name.
RUIyoUs TO THE SERVICE.
Il running nre OF questions and answers be-
tween Gen. Colby and the witness followed.
Con. Colby wanted to know what effect the
keeping Of Perry under the circumstances
would have on the service. Mr.. Mclaughlin
replied that the effect would prove
ruinous. He further explained that the
returns from the observing formed the basis
for the forecasts aad wrong returns were cal
culated to destroy the public's confidence in
the weather forecasts
Gen Colby wanted to know if Mr.. Harring-
ton understood this fact. and the witness said
he most certainly did, but that he feared en- at
tack from Congress
Mr. Mclaughlin then returned to the case OF
Young Nicoll. who. he alleges. was kept In Of
Zee by the assistant observer at Norfolk in
ppite OF incompesency and drunkenness. Soon
after NicolTs appointment he had been given
two months leave of absence. and. 1t Is under
stood it Was gwen for the purpose o; taking
- gold cure
NICoLLs INCOMPETENCE
The witness referred to the official reports OF
Na which would show yicolls incompeteucy.
h related q conversation with ). d. Crane
chic: observer at Norfolk, whom he had turned
oysr TO his assistant. Mr.. Reiskel- Crane and
Haskell talked over the Scou case and bad
hard Heiskeli say in loud tone OF
voice that he proposed to make oScial
report against NicoiL Crane had further
stated to the witness that In had spoken 10
Chef Clerk Rockwell as to NisolIs inefhciency