The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-07-11
WEATHER BUREAU ROW.

WEATHER BUREAU ROW.
An Explanation of the Dismissal OF
Chief Harrington.
Washington, July A call was
made June 10 for Professor Harring.
toms resignation. He declined to re-
sign, and was subsequently removed by
the president, the removal to take effect
July l. James F. Cook, chief clerk of
the weather bureau, is acting head of
the bureua until Harrington s successor
is appointed. The relations between
Secretary Morton and Harrinton have
been strained for many months, and
the correspondence between them has
been carried on in the most formal lam
guage.
Soon after the change in administra-
tlon, Secretary Morton instituted an in
vestigation of the affairs of the bu-
reau, which did not implicate Harring-
ton IN any way, but tended to increase
the strained relations between the Sec
rotary 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 June 10, with a call
for the professor to resign.
The president has had the matter
under advisement for some time, and
had been urged by the state depart
ment to make formal request, but de-
layed on the ground that he thought
that Professor Harrington should be
left to settle the matter by voluntary
stepping out. After he was at Gray
Gables, however, the president decided
to request the resignation. Professor
Harrington replied to the president, de-
Ginning to resign, saying he considered
he had done nothing to warrant the
presidents action. Then the president
sent letter briefly stating that Pro-
lessor Harrington was removed from
the Office, the removal to take effect
July 1.
Monday morning Secretary Morton
formally designated James F. Cook,
the chief clerk to act as chief, pending
a selection of a successor to Harring-
ton. This was done under an existing
statute that provides for such contin-
gency. Under ordinary circumstances,
the assistant chief of such a bureau
would be designated to act, but in the
present case, the position is filled by
Major H. G. Dunwoody, U. S. A, and
1T is doubtful if he could act in the
present emergency. The greatest Sc
crecy is observed by officials regarding
this removal. Secretary Morton said:
"This is a matter that belongs prop
erly to the White House. Professor
Harrington's commission bears the
name of the president, and of the Sec
rotary of agriculture, and if there is
anything to be stated in regard to the
position, it must come from the White
House. Until such announcement is
made, I have no communication to
make"
At the White House no positive in
formation could be obtained. Mr..
Pruden, the acting private secretary,
said he had no authority to make any
statement, and until he had authority,
he could not say anything whatever.
Professor Harrington said today:
"June 10, the president asked me for
my resignation because of personal in
terests. l declined to give it on the
score of public interests, and my re-
moval followed, to take effect July 1.
The personal interests involved were
ii Ccnd hxvr in lotion f0 tho
ident, and feel 1 have not received
fair treatment. Among the public in
terests which have steadily in view
were the preservation of the scientific
crops, and the protection of the bureau
from spoilsmen. When a scientific
bureau descends to the four-year- office
holding plan, it at once loses prestige,
and ceases to be desirable position for
competent men,"
Professor Harrington was appointed
from Michigan, because of his long &C.
quaintance of meterology, he for many
years having been the editor of jour-
nal devoted to that science. He was
member of the faculty of Ann Aarbor
university. 1t is said that although
there is some pressure for the success
sion to Professor Harrington 8 position,
no civilian would be appointed to that
position, as it has long been the desire
of Secretary Morton that Major Dun
woody, who is thoroughly acquainted
with all the details of the weather bu-
reau work, and in whom he has great
confidence, should be placed in charge.
This will require a special order from
the secretary of war.
Rasehery to the Eighty Club.