New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-12
WEATHER PROPHECY.
THE UNITED STATES HAS THE BEST FORE.
CASTING BUREAU IN THE WORLD

n
Agriculture has recently been the author of two SEN
satons. The first was the removal without cause and
without charges having been preferred against him
OF Professor Harrington. Chief OF the Weather Blu
reau: the second the appointment, Of the Youngest
professor in the corps. both in point OF age and
service. TO be his successor. Until recently II has
been the custom in the Weather Bureau to appoint
scientific men outside OF the service TO the pro-
fessorships. II was Secretary Mortons idea to pro-
mote the men already in the service, or at least
give them chance for promotion to these positions
by awarding them through examinations. which
should be open to all
In the first examination held Mr. Moore made the
highest cent. and the professorship was awarded
10 him. Since then he has made an unusual rec
ord as forecaster. and his appointment as chief
was as popular In the service as Professor Har-
ringtons removal was unpopular. Professor Har-
rington Is not only an eminent scientist. but a
man OF agreeable personality. who was generally
liked by his subordnates. The summary choppng
of OF his official head naturally caused dissatisfac-
ton which. however. took defnite form OF dis
approval since law. like those OF the Modes and
Persians. seals the mouths of Government en-
ployes. and they no more venture to make adverse
criticisms than do the subjects OF the Car. In
such the official gullotine works swiftly and
surely. uninnuenced by Civil Service rules.
II is matter for qualification that the precedent
has been established of filling office held
BY Professor Moore. which is one of great respon-
sbility, ana controls much patronage according 10
the rules Of Civil Service.
CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION.
Until 1891. when the Weather Bureau d.
vorced from the Signal Service. the Chief
Army officer. Professor Harrington the first
civilian occupy this position and Professor Moore
the first man TO be promoted TO 1t from the SER
vice His former colleagues look forward to
sympathetic administration Of affairs by the
chief. who has served in every branch Of the SER
vice Is thoroughly conversant with Its needs. and
has a practical knowledge of Its details.
Professor Moore Is young man. not yet forty.
He entered the service early in It's history and his
advancement has been constant and rapid. After
his appointment professor he was put in charge
Of the Office in Chicago. where he made reputa-
ton by his accuracy in forecasting He was espe-
cally successful In predicting the cold waves Of
las, winter These predictions called the atten-
ton Of the Department 10 him. and to his success
n this direction he owes his appointment
Il was given out at the time OF Professor Har-
rngtons removal that the Secretary desired to
promote the assistant chief. Major Dunwoody. TO
be chief But as there was question as TO
the legality Of Army officer being available for
such position he prevented from making the
auno,ntment Major Dunwoody has been In the
service since It's beginning. and there Is probably
no one thoroughly versed In the practical side
OF the work. more competent TO direct IT, He
is acknowledged TO be the best weather forecaster
In the world.
The Weather Bureau OF the United States is
twenty-five years old 1t not. as is popularity
supposed the first TO be established. England in
rttued her system in 1851, and France in 1863 The
United States is third the list The resolution
giving birth 10 the Weather Bureau was introduced
by General H. E. Paine. of Wisconsin. in 1870. and
passed in the same session OF Congress. 1t is in
,eresting 10 note now that the annual appropria-
tons for this bureau reach nearly million dol
lars. that the first appropriation made for it was
$4,000.
"OLD PROBABILITIES"
The infant bureau born there was much dis
cussion as TO where 1t should be placed Since its
plans involved signalling. II was finally decided 10
make II part of the Signal Service, OF which Gen.
eral Myer was then chief This popular Army
officer possessed just the energy and executive
bility to put such service IN operation ana 10
"Old Proba bilities" he soon came to be called
,he Weather Bureau owes the firm foundation on
which 1t was established. General Myer was
especially wise in selecting clever assistants he
succeeded in inducing Professor Cleveland Able 10
resign his charge of the Cincinnati Observatory 10
accent a position under him. Professor Abbe's work
in neteoroogy and the success Of his own ex-
periment in forecasting for the Cincinnati Board
of Trade made him enthusiast as to the posi-
bilites OF the service, and since that time ne mas
been a valued member OF the corps.
The Weather Bureau soon became the greater
part Of the Signal Service. and the wnoie country
amored for a change in its government Why
Z, was demanded should a civil institution be
controlled by military officer? In response to this
agitation the bureau detached from the signal
Service and placed under the Agricultural Depart
ment much 10 the satisfaction OF the farmers. VINO
had learned 10 depend upon its representations IN
their farming economy
In the beginning the Weather Bureau was re-
earded as a huge joke. and it required many years
OF patent work to persuade the people OF It's USE
fitness Old sea captains. versed in the signs OF
the weather placing small confidence IN the niue
flags displayed for their instruction. insisted on
trusting TO their own judgment. IL was not uhu
disregard of the storm warnings had resulted IN
es-.ons losses. that the habit Of obeying signals
was established 80
7, q, ,r,,ossibe 10 estimate the value OF the prop
.r,v saved annually through the agency OF the
Weather Bureau. 1t would amount 10 many times
the sum appropriated for its support which last
vear was, x54.223. During one great storm vessels
70 .s,~value OF $32 10000 not counting freight ana
were held in the port OF New ork by
a storm signal. To the caitlemen ana 10 farmers
the Bureau renders Unreasonable service IN the
treatment Of their crops: cotton-growers oepeho
upon he forecasts of the weather bureau anu
the cranberry farmers watch Tor 'he preuc'ion VI
the Ara, frost. which. II unprepared for. entirely
ruins their crop Cattemen corral tneif ne'uS a"
obedience 10 the little storm flag hying IN their
n.iy,ho,,ood The mower to anticipate the cold
waves s.ves the railroads thousands OF dollars in
pershabe freight.
QUEER COMMUNICATION.
1oc,, toracasters are asked all sorts Of questions
"Dsre we load our potatoes to-day Can send
ny f-ui, over certain territory 'o-"o'io"
Some people have been thoroughly converted to
the service that they write letters. ordering ina.
certain weather conditions shall obtain on sucn anu
such dates. as they wish to SOW. OF harVes'' ''oi
10,
visited by an old gentleman from the interior WHO
MAD a grievance. co,orrment gone into
the ,hsr husiness? Before II startec l.s Snup
was the prophet hereabonts PeoPi st 1'" said Now
up 10 and paid attention u VIVA"
don't figure at all. -, a,seshle quarters
The Weather Bureau occupies S asdeepH ouse which
N MIST. near Georgetown; lne ,,.s huit by
the Government bought for its use was ou Years
Mr. Ferguson an American. VINO n W. The large