Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-03
WEATHER BUREAU.
Prof Harrington Exonerated by the
Secretary Of Agriculture.
CHANGES MADE IN THE PERSONNEL
Said to Be in the Interest of
Economy.
CUTTING IN EVERY WAY.

The last chapter Of the now famous weather
bureau investigation has been written in q let
ter from the Secretary Of the Agricultural De-
partment to Prof. Mark W. Harrington, the
chief Of the bureau, in which the
statement is made that the Secretary finds
that the charges made against Prof. Harring-
ton were not proven and as a result the latter
gentleman stands exonerated. This was but
the natural result to be expected by all those
who followed the testimony as it was
given at the investigation. Assistant At
torney General Colby found the charges proved
satisfactorily, but Secretary Morton reversed
his decision. The STAR, editorially, at the
time took the ground that the charges had not
been proven and, that there was no reasonable
basis for them.
To STAR reporter who called at his house
this afternoon Prof. Harrington said that he
did not think it advisable that the contents of
the letter should be made public. So
far as he was concerned he had no objec-
tions to its being made public, but the
letter made reference to q number Of the en-
ployes whose names were not brought into the
investigation In any way, and he did not think
it proper to make public what Secretary Nor
ton had written.
CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL
Notwithstanding the fact that he has ex-
onerated the chief Of the bureau, Secre-
tary Morton has caused . number of
changes in the personnel Of the bureau.
Two OF the best known professors under
the bureau have been relieved from duty.
These are Prof. Carl Barus and Prof. Thomas
Russell, both well-known scientists and men who
have been connected with the work for q consd-
cradle time. Both Of these changes were made
with view to retrenchment and do not imply
any reflections upon the men themselves. The
order went forth that the force must be cut
down and these two men were selected for
slaughter. 1t is said that Of the two
Prof. Russell has been rather unsuccess-
ful In his work as q forecaster and that
Prof. Barus has worked too much along
theoretical grounds. Prof. Harrington, how
ever, Is understood to have always maintained
that this was the only proper way to perform
the work; that the system Of rule OF thumb
has been worked to death. The places Of the
two discharged men will not be filled.
Secretary Morton will have that much saved in
his desire to have a surplus to turn back into
the treasury.
Prof. Cleveland Abbe's position a. senior
professor Of the bureau at . salary Of $4,000
has been abolished and he has been
offered the position held by Prof. Barus ut
$4,000, thus affecting a saving Of 81 600 .
yesE to the treasury. Prof. Able was
invited to Washington with the promise Of
aGsassss q U5od This was cut down by Gen
He will not perform the duties as q forecaster,
as Prot. Barus did, but will continue with the
same line of duties that he formerly performed
at salary 80 per cent. greatsr-that is, II he
decides to remain.
Mr.. MLAUaHLIN DISMISSED.
MIR. ]. b. Mclaughlin, the chief of the ex-
ecutive division, who preferred the charges
against Prof. Harrington, has been dismissed
from the service by the Secretary, the
dismissal TO, take effect July I. Mclaughlin
was suspended by the chief Of the bureau
In March with Recommendation for his dis
missal. The charges made by Mclaughlin fol-
lowed, and the dismissal Of Mclaughlin has
now followed the filing Of charges by him.
Another change In the bureau made on the
first Of the month was the removal Of Mai. Har-
risOn who has been for many years in charge
OF the publication division. His removal
was entirely unexpected. His place has
been filled by the promotion Of J. H.
Robinson. number Of other dismissals in
the lower grades Of the bureau were made on
July l. None Of these vacancies will be filed
The cause for these dismissals is said to be the
desire Of the Secretary to economic in every
possible way.
ECONOMY IN EVERY WAY.
Secretary Morton is also practising economy
in every way the Department Of Agriculture.
He has lstgty &iven it to be understood in a
quiet iwkAftha the expenses Of the
bureau 0fpSanimal industry must be
cut down this year IS per cent
1t is also understood that the Secretary is con.
sidering the advisability Of doing away
altogether with the system Of meat inspection.
This would bring with it Q saving Of
about el60,0o0 q year.