Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-02
Chief Harrington summarily Re-
moved From Office
BECAUSE he DECLINED TO RESIGN
Result of the Differences Between
Him and the Department.
FFICIAL ETICEN G E

Prof. Mark w. harrington mas been re-
moved by the President from his position
as chief of the weather bureau of the Agri-
cultural Department. 1t has been we'll
known fact for many months that there
was friction between Prof. Harrington.
who was appointed by President Harrison.
and Secretary Morton his official superior,
during tho present administration. Indeed,
so severe has been the strain in their re-
lations that 1t is understood they had
held no personal communication with each
other for more than a year. but that their
correspondence has been confined to writ
ing of the most severely official style.
The difficulties came to a climax scol
after the change of administration, when
an investigation was instituted by Secre-
tary Morton into the business affairs OF the
weather bureau, the results of which did
not imphcate Prof Harrington in any way.
This, however, did not ease the strain be-
tween him and the Secretary, and it is well
understood that for nearly two years the
chief Of the bureau has had practically
nothing to do with the routine manage
ment Of his office. which has been governed
almost entirely from the department 1t is
no surprise to those who are we'll informed
that the difficulties have now eliminated in
the summary removal of Prof. Harrington,
as 1t is known that he has steadfastly re-
fused to resign his position.
The Ircsident's Letter.
Inc 1Stn OF June HreSlQeHC Cleveland sent
word to Prof. Harrington that his resigna-
ton would be acceptable. 1t is said that
the Secretary had repeatedly urged the
President to bring the matter to climax
by calling for the resignation of the chief,
but that Mr.. Cleveland had refused to in
terfere on the grounds that 1t was for
Prof Harrington to settle the matter him
self. A few days ago, however, Immediate
iy after the Presidents arrival at Gray
Gables for the summer, the President wrote
to Prof. Harrington, asking him for his
resignation.
The return mail carried Prof. Harring-
tons declination to resign from the public
service, on the ground that he had done
nothing to warrant such a move on his
part. Almost Immediately there came from
Gray Gables letter informing Prof. Har-
rSgton that he was removed from his po
sition as chief Of the weather bureau, to
take effect July l.
Quit Office Saturday.
Consequently Saturday Professor Har-
rirgton quietly severed his connection with
the bureau and Monday morning Secre
tary Morton formally designated Mr.. Jas.
F. Cook, the chief clerk. to act as chief
Of the bureau pending the selection of a
successor to Professor Harrington. This
was done under an existing statute that
ordinary circumstances the assistant chief
of such a bureau would be designated to
act, but in the present case. this position
Is filled by Major H c. Dunwoody, U.S.A.,
and 1t is doubtful If he could act as chief
in the present emergency. Major Dun
woody has on many occasions acted as
chief during the temporary absence of
Professor Harrington from this city, but
1t has been decided that this is an extra
ordinary case and that under the statute
the chief clerk must serve as chief of the
bureau.
Official Secrecy.
cacracu ia praSaryed nv all
the officials regarding this removal. Sec
retary Morton said to a Star reporter that
he would neither deny nor affirm the state
mont that Prof. Harrington's connection
with the weather bureau had been sum-
marily severed.
''That is a matter" ha said. that belongs
properly to the White House. Prof. Har-
rington's commission bears the name of
the President of the United States and not
Of the Secretary Of Agriculture, and II
there is anything to be stated in regard to
this position, 1t must come from The w mite
House. have nothing whatever to say
upon the subject. You will have to see Mr..
Pruden, the acting private secretary at the
White House. Until some official announce
ment is made from the White House. 1
have no communication to make. Mr. Cook
is acting chief under the law"
At the White House no positive informa-
ton could be obtained. Mr.. Pruden said
that he had no authority to make any
statement whatever and that until he had
some authorization from the Secretary Of
Agriculture or the President he could not
say anything whatever He said. how
ever that he knew that no one had been
appointed as chief of the weather bureau
to succeed Mr.. Harrington, but would make
no affirmation or denial of the statement
that the chief had been removed or had
resigned.
What Prof. Harrington Says.
Prof Harrington himself said today to
Star reporter:
"On the 10th of June the President asked
for my resignation because of personal in
terests. 1 declined to give 1t, on the score
of public interests, and my removal fol-
lowed promptly, taking effect July l. The
personal interests involved We're discussed
by me in my letter to the President and 1
feel that I have not received Just or con-
siderate treatment with regard to them.
Among the public interests which I
have had steadily in view were the preser-
tecticn, of the bureau from the spokesman.
When a scientific bureau descends to the
four-year office-holding plane it at. once
loses prestige and ceases to be, "a desirable
post for competent men,"
This statement by Prof. Harrington
throws much light upon the whole mat
ter as any explanation possibly could. 1t
Is understood that he had resisted all ef-
forts to supplant the people around him
with the political appointees of the Secre-
tary, and that this gave rise in the begin
nlng 10 the StFainlH, OF TelduOnS lHal
placed these two officials at swords points.
Prof. Harrington was appointed from
Michigan because of his long acquaintance
with meteorological matters, having been
for many years the editor of journal de-
voted to that science. He was a member
of the faculty of Ann Arbor University,
and had the influence of the Senators from
that state. Other powerful influence, 1t is
said, was behind him in the long fight with
the Secretary which has just eliminated IN
his removal.
Prof. HarripEtOn's Successor.
1t is said that although there is some
pressure for the succession to Prof. Har-
rington's position no civilian will be ap-
pointed to that post it has long been
the desire of Secretary Morton that Maj.
Dul,woody who is thoroughly acquainted
with all the details of the weather bureau
work and in whom he has great confidence,
should be placed in charge
This would require special order from
the Secretary of War and a designation Ey
the President, and might also necessitate
ar appointment and confirmation by the
Senate. although It is known that Major
Ounwoody would not relinquish his commits
sion in the army for this preferment, which
would mean no increase of pay for him.
Prof. Harrington is still In the city, re-
Siding \. 1919 street northwest.