Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-20

Assistant Attorney General Colby today for
warded to Prof Mark Harrington, the chief of
the weather bureau, the formulated charges
against him and other officials of the bureau
for alleged malfeasance in Office. The state
ments that the delay has been occasioned
by Prof. Harrington's desire are annoying
TO that official. and he SAYS are untrue, as the
charges were only today finally prepared and
posted. The letter from Gen. Colby trans-
mitting the charges TO Prof. Harrington says:
Under tine authority and direction of the
honorable Secretary of Agriculture YOU are
informed that an investigation Will be had by
me o. charges against you and involving your
official conduct and that of S. s. lockwood,
assistant chief; II. E. Smith. chief
clerk. and other subordinates of which you
have had personal knowledge through the pub
lie press and otherwise. A statement
giving substantial copy of such
charges to which the investigation
herewith for your information. / shall be
pleased TO meet you at my Office in the Depart-
ment Of Justice on Friday, April "a at 10 a. M,
for the purpose of making such prelini-
nary arrangements as may he deemed nee
essary, and receiving any statements or sug-
charges themselves or the manner. extent and
general conduct of such Investigations"
THE CHARGES.
The charges inciosed are as follows:
l. Misrepresentation OF facts end improper
conduct in the matter OF recommen ,lstion for
promotion of 4. B. Crane. an observer in the
weather bureau. by Prof. Mark ". Harring-
ton, chief of the bureau: S. s. lockwood.
assistant chief, and II. L. Smith, chief
clerk. the main object o. such promotion being
the improper retention in the service of Assist
ant Observer Nichols. an inefficient official ard
distant connection or relative Of the assistant
CHIEF.
ii. The shielding and retention by Prof.
Mark W. HarrinS ION. chief of the bureau. TO the
detriment of the public service. OF unworthy
and incompetent station employees of the
weather bureau. to wit: Henry ). Nichols.
Titus S. Townsend, Malcolm II. Perry and
others.
III. Improper official conduct Of the chief
and his subordinates in the weather bureau, in
connection with the appointment aud retention
In the service in evasion violation of the
civil service law. of persons under the
designation of expert compilers'' who
were not such experts and not qualified for
such appointment, TO wit: In the Of
Frances p. Madden. Belle Z. Plummer, Mrs. b.
G. Baker and others.
~. The appointment and approval of per-
sons as messengers ard laborers in the weather
bureau whose services were not necessary or
thereafter on work distiuc.ivcly clerical under
the chef of tine bureau, in direct violation of
the civil service rules.
V. The authorization and approval by the
CHIEF and assis lant chief Of the bureau of the
travelling and hotel expenses of officers and
employees incurred while absent from duty and
not engaged IN proper work of the department,
TO wit: In the case of Israel w. Stone, assistant
disbursing officer. and other employees Of the
bureau
vi. Fsvoritisin. inefficiency and maladminis-
tratiou OF the Office of the chief OF the weather
bureau. the retention of persons in high posi-
tions officially not required in the service and
tine improper diversion of the public funds and
OF the special appropriation made for the MAIN
tenarce OF such bureau.
ASSISTANT CHIEF LOCKWOOD RESIGNS.
The resignation of Maj. $. s. lockwood, tn e
assistant chief of the weather bureau. has been
requested by the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr..
Morton, and has been handed in by Maj. Rock
wood and accepted. The motive OF Secretary
Morton in taking this action was unknown to
Maj. lockwood today. However, Maj. Rock
wood was Of the opinion that it has no connec-
ton with the investigation of the manage
ment OF the bureau which has been
IN progress. for the reason that
the investigation was based on q letter from
Mr.. J. B. Mclaughlin. the chief of the execu-
i've DIVISION OF the weather bureau. In this
letter the only charge affecting Maj. lockwood
was in connection with the case OF the promo
ton OF Mr.. Crane, weather observer at Nor
folk. This phase Of the case has not yet been
Investigated. as the entire scope of the inquiry
thus lar has been confined to the allegations
relating to the conduct of other officials and
employees In tine bureau.
Maj. lockwood rather holds the opinion that
as he is II reg ublican the request for his resig-
nation was made in the regular course Of
changes which are incident to the change in
the administration Of the government.
1t ~ Understood that an investigation is to
be made OF the charges based on the Crane
promotion.
In the opinion of Maj. lockwood the main
issue raised in the investigation is found in the
Crane case.
Maj. lockwood wrote a letter to the Secre-
tary OF Agriculture April 5. three days after the
letter written by Mclaughlin which forms the
basis OF the proposed inquiry. In this letter
Maj. lockwood gave u statement OF the action
taken in the Crane case. claiming that it was
entirely proper and justified.
Maj. lockwood referred also in that letter to
Mclaughlin as having disclosed himself las the
responsible head Of what ! believe TO be de-
llberaVe attempt, If not conspiracy long nursed
and treacherously planned. to overthrow the
present civi.ian management. and if possible
force return of the weather service to the ex-
elusive control Of men trained in the signal
service of the army"
The New York Program.
The Navy Department has issued the follow
ing program Of arrangements in connection