The Indianapolis journal., 1895-10-17
MEN WHO MAKE RAIN
IN THIS CITY IN ANNUAL
CONVENTION.
rendered a Banquet at the Grand by
the 'MeteorologfcaI" Committee
Of the Board Of Trade.

The forecast officers of the States weath-
er service and directors OF the Weather
Bureau were rendered banquet at the
Grand last evening by the meteorological
committee of the Board of Trade. -Presi-
dent Gordon, of the board. acted as>toast-
master. and good one he was. After
the repast there were a number Of toasts.
Through the west windows there blew
west wind, coming from the direction of
the general drift of the atmosphere. Late
in the evening light clouds began to gath
er, but the climatic conditions were good
for fair weather. AT times the speakers
were greeted with thunderous applause,
for some of the remarks were as sharp
as lightning. During the speaking me-
teoric displays were observed. The tenn
perature of the room began at normal,
but increased during the evening. Some
Of those present would have welcomed a
cold wave. but every joke and remark
was warmly received. The barometric
pressure was high. Socially the weather
men do not seem half serious their
flags, and figures and reports might indi-
cate.
After Major Gordon had made few in
troductory remarks, ex-Mayor Denny spoke
briefly. Maj. II. II. c. Dunwoody, president
of the association. replied. G. W. Sloan
made few remarks. Willis L. Moore, chief
of the Weather Bureau, talked for several
minutes, during which time ne dispelled the
popular belief that the weather men carry
their vest pockets. He referred to the old
belief that IT always rains after battle.
and he explained 1t as follows:
1T is a matter OF record that one day OF
every three sees rain. 1t is probably true
that 1t rained on majority of the days
following the battles of the late war. Com
manders generally choose fair days for a
battle, and according to the figures It is to
be expected that rain follows a battle. IL
commanders fought battles during rain. II
might probably be said that the day after
battle is always clear and fair"
Others spoke during the evening.
The convention of the American Associa-
tion of State Weather Service Officers be-
gan at 10 o'clock yesterday morning at
the Statehouse. Major III. H. Dunwoody,
Of Washington, assistant chief or the
meeting. and James Berry. of Washington,
chief of the State Weather Bureau SeTv-
ice. was secretary. Officers from about half
resentatives of the volunteer service. were
present Among those attending the meet
ing are: f. p. Chaffee. Montgomery, Ala /;
wick. Sacramento, CaL;. F: H. Branden-
sonville. Fla; D. P. McCallum; Idaho Falls.
A. Huston and c. F. r. Wappenhans, In
diana; j. r. Sage and DR.. G. NJ. Chappell,
Burke, Louisville, KY; r. r. Kerkab, New
Orleans, La: c. +. Schneider, Lansing.
Mich: Z. A. Beals. Minneapolis. Mimi; Dr.
Robert J. Hiatt, yicksburg, Miss; J; R.
Rippey and z; A. Haekett; Columbia, Mo- !;
Lincoln. Neb Z. ". McGann, New Bruins
wick. n. j.: II. b. Hersey, Santa Fe, N.
NJ; r. NJ. Hardinge, Ithaca. n. Y; H w.
Richardson, Columbus. o.: j. j. Widmeyer,
Oklahoma: ]. F. Townsend. Philadelphia,
Pa; S. w. Glenn, Huron, s. d.: DR.. h
C. Bate. Nashville. Tenn; DR.. l. NJ. Cline
Galveston, Tex; G. n. Salisbury, Seattle
wash; H. l.. Ball. Parkersburg. w. Va;
c. NJ. Strong, Milwaukee, Wis.
President Dunwoody, in his opening re-
marks, spoke of the history and growth OF
the association. He said the public Is learn
ing to appreciate the work OF the weather
service. How best to secure ana retain the
services of Voluntary Observers, was the
theme of much discuss,ou during the morn
ing The value of the volunteers was, SEEM
ingly, appreciated by al those present and
IL was thought that the directors of the
Weather Bureau should Visit ana encourage
the volunteer observers.
Willis l.. Moore. chief or the Weather
Bureau, spoke shortly before noon. He spoke
favorably of the State weather service and
said the Department OF Agriculture is
friendly toward the service and wishes ev-
erything possible done TO better 1t.
John b. Conner, of Indianapolis. who or
ganized the first state weather convention
in this city in November, lsS2. addressed the
Major Dunwoody called upon Governor
Matthews during the morning and spent
some time in conversation The meeting
continues to-day.