The National tribune., 1893-04-27
THE WEATHER BUREAU SCANDAL,
Gen. Colby Submits His Report the I'm
sayory Matter.

Gen. CODY SUBMITS HIS report on the In
savory Matter.
Assistant Attorney General Colby, who was
detailed at the request of Secretary of Agricul-
tire Morton to investigate certain charges
made against officials of the Weather Bureau,
has submitted his report TO Secretary Morton.
This report summarizes snccinctl ythe testimony
of 81 witnesses who were examined by Gen.
Colby. The General finds that the sale and
disposal of public property used in the Weather
Bureau since its transfer to the Department of
Agriculture, have been, except in the case Of
two horses, entirely without the action of a
board of survey. and without any appraise-
ment or condemnation proceedings. 1t would
appear that the subordinate officers of the Bu-
rean took ID upon themselves to dispose of such
property as they deemed no longer of any use
aud in some cases failed to make any return Of
such sales.
Gen Colby finds that an employs named
Robinson is responsible for a valuable roll Of
linen, which up 10 date has not been accou n ted
for, in spite OF the fact that prosecution was at
one time brought in the Police Court The
| Captain OF the Watch OF the Bureau, Brannon
| is held responsible for a number of articles be.
| longing TO the Government. and several other
| employees are implicated in thefts of various
kinds of public property.
Gen. Colby also cites the practice which
| seems to have largely been INDUCED in by the
employees of the Bureau, of borrowing Govern
ment property for use in their private houses,
/ in which the Chief Of the Weather Bureau,
| Prof. Harrington; Mr.. Smith, the Chief Clerk ;
| Disbursng Officer Stone, and Captain OF the
| Watch Brannon were all implicated The
practice of Capt. Brannon in loaning money TO
/ employees, and even TO his Supporters, at "A high
rate Of interest. is also condemned by Gen.
! Colby. The following recommendations are
made by the General in closing the report:
Tho immediate discharge of the officials and
employees guilty of theft, embezzement, or of
the unauthorized sale of Government property.
and their prosecution therefor eriminaly and
| civily.
THAT no Government property be loaned out
or taken from the Department for private pur-
poses under any circumstances whatsoever, and
| that no property be taken for official use. ex-
cept upon reguisition duly signed and APP
proved, and for which receipt be given.
THAT property carried on the rolls of the
Bureau be sold only at public auction after due
advertisement
THAT the practice of loaning money now
prevailing in the Weather Bureau between
employees and officers and especially by those
of inferior rank to their superiors in official
position, be absolutely prohibited"
| Secretary Morton read tho report and an.
! nounced that after going through the immense
amount of testimony in the case he would be
| ready to act.
| The charges of violation Of the Civil Service
Rules preferred against Chief Harrington aud
upon which the political portion of the inyes.
| tigation will be based, have been formulated
| by Gen. Colby. but AS Il. Ross Perry, counsel
for Prof Harrington, has demanded time to
| examine them and prepare defense, a date for
| hearing has not yet been agreed upon. 1t will
| probably commence the latter part of this week.