Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15
The NAUTICAL ALMANAC.
Continuation of the Investigation Of Dr..
Morrison's Charges.
Prof. Hendrickson Give. Further T-st,-
mony-some Things That he Know.
and Some That He Does NOT

The Investigation into the charges preferred
by DIR. Joseph Morrison. mathematician OF the
American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac.
against Prof. Simon Newcomb, superintendent
of the Americas Nautical Almanac bureau. va,
resumed this morning at the naval observatory
under the direction of Capt. McNair. U. sN.
Prof Newcomb did not take the stand today.
as was expected, too much time having been
taken up in the examination Of Prof Hendrick-
son. deputy superintendent Of the almanac
bureau.
Today both Sides and NOR. particularly the
defense, appeared TO wake up to the gravity Of
the charges and the rigor Of the investigation
which Capt. McNair is giving them.
The investigation, which at first promised 10
be a brief and sort of commonplace affair, has
assumed interesting proportions. The inquiry
embraces in its scope the conduct Of the entire
bureau.
The reading Of the testimony given at yes
terday's session by Prof. Hendriokson eon-
sumed the first half hour.
Some minor corrections were made and Prof.
Hendrickson was recalled tc the stand He
was asked many pernuen, question. Is
TO what amount oil assistance had
been given DIR. Morrison in the
computation and preparation OF the slmsnao.
Plaintiff charges that he denied proper
sistance had been appropriated for.
PROF. HENDRIcKsoS GIVES FURTHra rpsrr-
| MoNr.
| Witness stated that the Ephemeris had boon
mainly computed by outside pieceworkers. but
that DIR. Morrison had general charge Of the
work and especially Of the checking
OF the almanac. The evidence OF
the witness showed that several
employees provided for in the appropriations as
assistants the almanac were not so en-
ployed bat were engaged on the astronoIaical
papers. which witness regarded an ssse atisl
part of the almanac. There wore ten CON-
puters mentioned in the appropriation as en-
ployed for work on the American Ephemsris
and Nautical Almanac. Eight were employed
l on the papers.
After a series Of questions from Capt Nc
Nair and few from the plaintiff witness stated
that the astronomical papers were not used in
| computing for the almanac and that tie lstter
might be published without their aid
/ In reference TO the charge preferred BY DR..
| Morrison that he had beer compelled TO bear
| the burden OF labor that properly belonge6 to
the superintendent, witness said that he koew
nothing.
In regard to DR. Morrison's charge that Prof.
| Newcomb wss absent from the bureau duSing
the months OF June, July, August and Seplem-
Der, witness said that he supposed that tine SUI
| perintendent went away In the summer In
answer 10 the question from Capt McNsir.
| docs Prof. Newcomb pay any attention 70 the
almsnac?" witness answered that he decidodly
/ did.
When Capt. McNair asked the witness ~ TO
DIR. Morrison's charge that superinte1dent
Newcomb was absent from the bureau two, and
| sometimes three days PEI week. in consequence
| Of his professorship at JOINS Hopkins. he
swered that he knew nothing of IT,
/ Witness stated that the almanac for 1895 had
| gone TO press. and witness thought it had h'een
| checked. excepting SO far rs tie computations
Of the satellites of the planets were concerned
DR.. Morrison charged that Prof. Hendriclson
| could not check the computations of the sstel-
| l.es. Witness said that he could. he thought,
| if he had occasion to look the matter up.
Witness did not know. alleged By DR..
| Morrison, that one Robertson. who bad faded
| to pass a civil service examination, was en-
ployed as a computer in the bureau
| WORK DONE ABROAD.
In answer to question from Capt. McNsir
as 10 whether the work Of Computer Van
Week had been taken from him and sent TO
England to be done. witness said tia. he would
like to have Prof. Ncwcomb answer the qles-
ton. He finally said that the work done
abroad pursuant TO an arrangement with the
British almanac.
In reply to Capt McNair's question: Are
you acquainted with the relative values Of the
| French. German. American and British alma
nacs?" witness said that he was not
The investigation adjourned 70 meet on Mon
4 day at noon.
Several witnesses have been summoned ffsn
the bureau.