Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-13

waiting for Gen. CoIby's Report.
Inc weather bureau investigation has been
nni'neor at least for the time being. and II re-
MAINS now only for Assistant Attorney General
Soios 70 make his report TO the Secretary Of
Asr,cuitnre The investigation has dragged
i''en out to such lengths and the
niAs' ., testimony has grown so large that un-
iess tne proceedings have been followed
throughout with care II is difficult to realize
~nat nae been proved and which OF the
charges nave clearly fallen by the wayside.
Inc opinion OF those Who have watched the
investigation throughout IL that the charges
have been disproved and that the report viii
contain Q practical vindicstion of Prof. Hsr-
rfngton- The testimony has xandered ovev
so much ground that il {. q hard matter 10
sift out the things which touch on tn
charges specifically made. Without doubt the
most important Of the charges related N NAL
colin H. Perry, the observer at Palestine. Tar.
II has been pretty clearly shown that Perry,
on ii least one occasion, forged weather re-
ports and sent them 70 the bureau; that
he was suspended, but. after . remarksbs
amount of influence had been exerted In hi
favor. was reinstated and he holds the position
at this time. In answer TO this charge Prof.
Harrington has sworn and entered docu-
mentary evidence 10 the effect that he hsl
examined this case thoroughly and had recon-
mended that Perry be dismissed the service,
but that Secretary Rusk had refused 10 do this.
and as the only thing to do, Perry had been put
back in his place.
OBSERVER cRASEs PROMOTION.
ahakl Ia II a.
timony has been produced lie the one relating
TO the Norfolk station and the alleged
peculiar relations thereto Of Observer
Crane and Assistant Observer Nichols.
1t was charged that Prof Harrington,
against the best interests Of the service had re-
tanned Nichols, who was a relative Of the
assistant chief Of the bureau. in his place. and
that Crane had been promoted as a re-
ward for overlooking the palpable incom-
potency Of his assistant. This charge has fallen
to the ground with a dull thud. II has been
shown that while Nichols was not by any means
what could be called a star observer his in
competency was not of a startling nature, and
had not been called especially to the attention
Of the chief of the bureau That Cranes
promotion was in any way tied up with Nichols
has been categoricallv denied by every one in
r.
Harrington and all of his chief assistants have
stated that Crane was promoted distinctly on
his own merits and without the slightest
reference to any one else. The relationship er-
listing between Nichols and Maj Redwood was
also shown to have been Of q very slight
nature and the acquaintanceship still less.
1t was charged also that Observer Davis was
transferred from Norfolk because he reported
Nichols. but on the other hand il has been
shown that the transfer made at the re-
quest OF Davis himself. who had made the re-
quest before Nichols had been heard of.
rowNsHEND's RErSsrATEngSr.
In the OF Titns Townshend the assistant
observer ut Pixies Peak, il has simply been
shown that Townshend. after doing good SER
vice in the old signal corps. took 20 drinking.
was accused OF a forgery and left the service;
that without a knowledge Of the charge
of forgery and in the belief that
the Young man had entirely reformed his drink.
ing habits Prof. Harrington had appointed
him assistant observer at Pixies Peak;
that after building up a good record there
the new appointee had gone on q spree aud
that after Townshend had taken the gold cure
and on account Of his previous good services
the lapse had been overlooked Prof. Har-
rington has testified that not until the investi-
CATION commenced cid he learn of the charge
more than the one time mentioned it had never
been brought TO his attention.
THE EXPERT conPrLERs.
The question OF the so-called expert COM
pliers has been a prominent feature OF the in.
vestigstion, ard the changes have been rune on
Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Plummer and Mr. Mad
den. The evidence indicates that these ladies
and gentlemen were not expert in any
true sense of the word. although il 10 q
~ .e.. e, 1Akr
meant by expert compilers." The matter.
however, does not seem to have anything 20 do
with Prof. Harrington the other officials OF
the bureau, rs ex-Secretary Rusk has shout
dered all the responsibility for the appointment
of these officials.
LABoEERs -LERIcAL WORK
Another charge sen the employment
on clerical work of persons rated a. mes
sengers or laborers. This matter has simply
resulted in a disagreement on all sides MS
to what constituted clerical work. and the
disagreement has been Of such n character
that even the civil service commission
has been unable to clear AWAY the fogs IL
would seem that in the cases mentioned in the
testimony the work of the laborers lowered
very close TO the line Of clerical work. although
the witnesses differ widely on this point. which.
considering the difference OF opinion would
not seem to be matter of material importance.
CAPT. STONES rwESrY-sIx DOLLAR TRrp.
Another charge on which testimony has besu
taken relates to the trip which Capt Stone took
TO his home in Kansas and from which
he made detours on business of the
bureau. Capt Stone charged the bureau
only FOR the bare expenses OF the
detours. and expenses OF the trips amounted in
all to only $3.50. Prof. Harrington testified
that he authorized the trips, as he de-
sired information that Capt. Stone was
well qualified to gather: IL the inspec-
tions Imade by Capt. Stone were worth
s26. so TO the bureau. and the chief saws they
were, there does not seem enough in this
charge left to fill a nutshell
These are about the only matters Of import
ance on which testimony has been taken.
THE NICARAGUAN REVOLUTION.
The State Department Believes That It's