The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-25
PEACE OR VAR?
"hch IL 1t to BE Between Secretary Nor.
ton and Professor Harrington?


WASHINGTON. D. c., July 24.--Not
20 very long ago the telegraph wires
Llghtly licked of the expression: The
| relations between the Secretary OF Agri-
culture and the chief Of the weather
bureau are strained" Then followed
a period when white-winged peace
stretched her snowy wings from the
minaret Of the weather castle to the flag
| pole on the Agricultural Department, and
the tick OF the telegraph instrument told.
| not OF the clash Of war-like weapons,
| but OF confidential meetings. pleasant re-
lations and entire harmony. A quiet,
loving people rejoiced and all was serene.
There have. however. been lapses i'm
the loving communion of soul described
above. Dark clouds have gathered only
20 be dispelled. Chasms have opened in
the smooth path way down which Secre-
tary Morton and Professor Harrington
walked hand in hand. The chasms
have always been bridged. however. Dur
ing the past week one of these openings
has been giving trouble and some engi-
neering difficulties have been met with
in the construction Of the bridge.
1t will be remembered how a certain
executive clerk at the weather bureau
was suspended by Professor Harrington
for disobedience. and how be brought
grave charges against the management
OF the bureau, which We're investigated
by Assistant Attorney General Colby
who rendered a report on the subject,
which was thought by many impartial
observers to show considerable prejudice
In It's conclusions. Secretary Morton,
II will be remembered. seemed 10 take
like view Of the matter, and has taken
no action on the report. There. so far as
public record is concerned. the matter has
rested. 1t has been known, however.
that the relations between Secretary Nor
ton and Professor Harrington have been
fairly harmonious, and that the work Of
the weather bureau was being moulded
into channels which met the approval Of
the Secretary.
At intervals. however. injudcfous
friends Of Professor Harrington. or nj
any rate persons who posed as his friends
have sent articles out % various papers |
I'm which Secretary Morton was attacked |
In an extremely bitter manner. In the |
belief that these articles came from close |
friends OF the chief Of the Weather Ru- |
reau, Secretary Morton has naturally re-
scented them. and I'm consequence the ex-
listing harmony promised 10 be shattered
to atoms. a syndicate letter sent from
this city on the 18th. which contained a
description Of the Weather Bureau. and
In which Secretary Morton was handled
In most uncomplimentary manner. came
very near precipitating a climax TO the
affair, and Mr. Charleston, the diplo-
matte private secretary Of the Secretary
Of Agriculture is said 10 have held sew
sral remonstrative interviews with the
thief OF the Weather Bureau. Secretary
Morton has been absent from the city
since that time and the matter has
rested.
Professor Harrington's friends have held
throughout that IL was neither with his
knowledge or consent that any criticisms
# the Secretary Of Agriculture were given
% the press. and this view Is carried |
,ut by a statement which Professor Har-
'ingtOn mede to-day. In his statement
Professor Harrington says:
II wish TO say that while I am chief I
hall have no policy to carry out other
han that outlined by my official superior
desire that my friends should withhold
heir judgment I'm matters affecting the
Weather Bureau until after a fair trial
f the new Tolicy In the meantime l
hall lend my loyal support 10 the Secre-
airy Of Agriculture I'm his efforts 10 make
his bureau more valuable 20 the public"