The morning call., 1893-09-15
WEATHER BUREAU
Looking for a Successor
to Jenkins.
Gray Recommended, but Will Prob
ably Be Sent Elsewhere - The
Suspended Prophets Debts.

The situation in the United States
Weather Bureau has resolved itself into a
consideration of the successor TO Presly T.
jenkins, the suspended forecast official.
Prominent shipping men and other mem
bers of the Merchants Exchange, who
urged Chief Clerk GRAY TO telegraph q
complaint about mis- superior officer to
Washington, are desirous that Gray should
be permanently placed in charge of the
station. They urge that, as he has directed
all the clerical work in the office fox a
year, and as he has proved himself so effi-
cient as weather prophet in making fore
casts during Mr.. Jenkins frequent alb
sences. he sh ould be rewarded by promo
ton.
A petition to the Chief of the Weather
Bureau for his appointment has been sup
pressed by Mr.. Gray, who is now in charge
OF the station. de stated that a proper
delcacy would make his acceptance Of
jenkins place impossible He argues that
such proceeding would look too much
ike climbing up by Iu.ling another man
down. Gray feels very s0le over Jenkins
statement that his complaint was made
through sinister motive and that he took
advantage of his superloI's absence 10
prejudice him with tie Washington
authorities. Mr.. Gray adds that before
telegrap phing to Wash ngtnn lie spent an
afternoon with two clerks in the Office In
searching for Dir. jenkins on both sides Of
the bay and that lie left a trail OF messagea
over two counties.
INSPECTOR Bate. while he cOmmends
Gray's action as well as his Office Work,
says that 1t IS against the policy of the
Agricultural Department to place man in
charge OF station where he has hitherto
worked as an assistant. While Gray
merits promotion, 1t is probable that he
Will be sent first IN charge OF some COM
paratlYely small station. The San Fran
cisco Office Is considered a prZe, to secure
which political influence Will be employed
by many applicants. In the meantime the
salaries OF Gray and the ether assistants
have been increased, by telegraphic an
nouDcement received yesterday.
Lieuten ant Finley's friends have been
vigorously urging his reinstatement here.
and several communications in his behalf
nave gone forward 70 Washington during
the last two days. Major Bate shook his
head when Informed Of this action. Since
the Weather Bureau has been detached
from the army. he says that military ap-
pointments as forecast officials are in d is
| favor at Washington. Civilians are pre-
ferred for this branch Of the service, and
so Lieutenant Finley will almost certainly
remain with his regiment.
Some OF Mr.. Jenkins friends discussed
| the proposition to petition Chief Harring-
ton for his retention, but he declined TO
countenance such action, avowing his will
| ingness TO abide by the decision of the Ag-
ricultural Department He recognizes the
prospect that he will be transferred to
another station, and probably will not be
sorry to leave San Francisco. Several
officials in Eastern cities are now being
mentioned for the place.
An arrangement for the payment of Jen-
kins' debts will be made in a sem-official
way. Chief Harrington will procure a list
of the creditors. The gay captain will be
ordered to lay aside portion of his salary
every month for the liquidation of his |
. US and notes. MANY months will elapse
before his debtors page is clear again.