The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-03
STRAINED RELATIONS.
THEY EXISTED BETWEEN NOR
TON AND HARRINGTON.
ing Another Situation-An Inter-
esting Incident.

Washington, D. c., July 2.-Professor
Mark w. Harrington, chief of the
weather bureau, has been relieved
from duty owing to disagreement
with Secretary Morton.
Soon after the change in administra-
ton Secretary Morton instituted an
investigation of the business affairs of
the bureau. The results did not i'm
plicate Professor Harrington in any
way, but tended to increase the
strained relations between the secre-
tary and himself. For some time
Professor Harrington has had practi-
cally nothing to do with the routine
management of the office. The trouble
came to climax on June IS, with
call for the professor to resign.
The president has had the matter I'M
der Amusement for some time, and had
been urged several time TO make the
formal request, but he delayed it on
the ground, it is thought, that Prof.
Harrington should be left to settle
the matter by voluntarily stepping out.
After he was at Gray Gables, how
ever, the president decided to request
the resignation. Prof. Harrington re-
piled to the president declining to re-
sign, saying he considered he had done
nothing to warrant the presidents ac-
ton. Then the president sent letter
briefly stating that Prof. Harrington
was removed from the office, the re-
moval to take effect July 1.
Great Secrecy.
Monday morning Secretary Morton
formally designated James f. Cook,
the chief clerk, to act as chief of the
bureau pending the selection of a sue
cessor to Professor Harrington. This
was done under an existing statute
that provides for such a contingency.
Under ordinary circumstances the as
sistant chief would be designated to
act, but in the present case this posi-
ton is filed by Major II. c. Dunwoody,
U. S. A, and it is doubtful if he could
act as chief in the present emergency.
The greatest secrecy is observed by
all the officials regarding this re-
moval. Secretary Morton would not
talk. THAT is d matter" he said,
that belongs properly to the White
House. Professor Harrington's COM
mission bears the name of the presi-
dent of the United States, and not of
the secretary of agriculture, and if
there is anything to be stated in re-
gard to this position it must come /
from the White House. l have no
communication to make. Mr.. Cook is !
acting chief under the law
No Positive Information.
At the White House no positive infor- |
nation could be obtained. Mr.. Pruden, |
the acting private secretary, said he had |
no authority to make any statement /
whatever and that until he had some |
authorization from the secretary of ag-
rlculture he could not say anything
whatever.
Professor Harrington said himself today:
..'On the 18th OF June the president asked
for my resignation because of personal |
interests. / declined to give it on the
score of public interests and my removal I
to take effect July / The per-
sonal interests involved We're discussed
by me in letter to the president.
Among the public interests which I |
have had steadily in view were the pres
ervatlon of the scientific corps and the
protection of that bureau from spoilsmen.
When scientific bureau descends to the |
four year office holding plane it at once
loses prestige and ceases to be a desir-
able post for competent men,"
Professor Harrington was appointed
from Michigan because of his long ac-
of meterology, he for many
devoted to that science He was a mem
Der of the faculty of Ann Arbor Univers-
ity.
No Civilian Need Apply.
Tt is said that although there is some
pressure for the succession of Prof. Har-
pointed to that post, as it has long been
the desire of Secretary Morton that
Major Dunwoody, who is thoroughly ac-
Iuainted with all the details of the
has great confidence, should be placed in
charge. This would require a special Or
Ter from the secretary Of war and Il
from the president and might
llso necessitate the apDointment and con-
1rmation by the Senate, although it is
know that Major L1'-' Ncdv ~ '' RI -
,elinquish his commission III the army
or this proferment. which would not
Increase in for him.