New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-20

those who know the cost OF the Observatory
10 the Government and what It accorpllshes
IN comparison with sister institutions less fortu-
rate IN equipment and money resources. the
reason for this suppression is obvious.
The present uperntendent has reversed the
pohcy OF his predecessor and sent out copies
OF his report. but never before has public
o'iicer allowed such trifes TO be published over
MS signature. The most insignificant things are
recorded with all the circumstances Of scientific
precision. II would be cruel TO quote some NJ
the foolish details from e. and by quoting then,
injustice would be done 10 really able men who
IaCh ony the opportunity to accomplish great
results.
A MOVEMENT FOR A CHANGE
This report has helped to ripen the movement
10 take the Observatory away from the Navy
department, and only two things are wanting
10 make this movement formidabe-a plan and
a leader As the matter stands what is every
bodys business is nobody's business Com
plants prolific but those who make them
do not know what course to pursue TO institute
the reforms in the administration Of the OBJ
servatory they advocate. One fact is plain
the Navy has no use Of the Observatory except
that It's superintendency Including as ii
Goes the use Of a handsome house, lighted
ana heated at Government expense: Of large
farm cultivated by the Government and Of
stocD Is one OF the most desirable bets in
thc service, and there is no reason, surely, why
a scientific institution Of this character should
be under military control.
me director Of scientific institution should
naturally be held accountable for the work Of
that institution, for the performances Of his as
soclates. for the condition Of the instruments,
ana Tor, IN fact. all that pertains 10 the proper
prosecution OF the work. 1t may not be fair 10
the present astronomical director TO make him
responsible for the unfortunate state Of affal-s
that at present obtains in his department The
CONDITION dates back TO before the time he was
made director; and since he took possession Of
the office. if he has realized the necessity for
improvement, he has not made IT, His defence
is, doubtless. the divided respor sibility-a good
defence Tor In such case 1t is impossible 10 fix
the blame
There are many subjects for criticism and no
better material for ope~a bouffe could be
found than the present management and con-
cluon OF the Observatory. When the removal
10 the new building was made mos. OF the in
struments We're altered AMI repaired by con-
tract with local instrument maker. But the
work asserted TO be badly performed
that little could be done with the instruments.
Much time has been lost in patching them up
but TO outsider is even now allowed to know
whether they are In proper trim for really first
class work.
The unsuccessful working Of the great equa-
torial is accounted for by bad seeing" To
have good seeing" there must be no current OF
warm air in the dome, and great pains must
be taken 10 have the air inside as cold with
cut But under the base of the dome over the
great equatorial is hydraulic machinery for
elevating platform floor which must not be
allowed TO cool below freezing point The warm
the telescope for fine work in the clear cold
weather OF winter. and is more or less injurious
most OF the year
A CASE OF HOW NOT TO DO IT"
The condition Of the magnetic observatory Is
yet more unfortunate. The Coast Survey found
that a trolley passing a mile from q magnetic
station affected the instrument that the OBJ
servations were Of use. But IN the face OF
this experience a new magnetic station
erected in the Observatory grounds only
quarter Of a mile from the Tenallytown electric
line. without any serious attempt TO find out
what effect the electric railroad would have
No sooner was the work started than it was
demonstrated that every car that passed traced
its record on the magnetic sheets; yet these
useless observations were kept up for several
years and have only recently teer discon-
tnued. The papers have been publishing cor
respondence between the officers OF the OBJ
and the District Commissioners, who /
have been asked to interfere. but il is difficult
to see what they can do. The trolley was bully
long before the magnetic observatory, and
clearly has the right Of way
These facts Will give some idea Of the shift
less manner in which the affairs Of The Observa-
tory are run. But what iS most 10 De deplOred
is the lack Of sympathy and harmony among
its staff The professors are not in accord with
their director. and glance al the recent report
will show that while important instruments and /
important work in the hands OF assistant /
a. trononers the full-hedged professors have /
minor duties
Assistant Hill. for instance, who, while he may /.
be a good observer is not well grounded in ele- /
mentary astronomy, is in charge OF two tnstru- /
nerts. the prime vertical transit and the new |
vertical circle and 10 Assistant Skinner is in /
trusted the mos important work In the Observ- /
atory that Of the transit circle. with the whole
force Of computers 10 nep him. Professor Paul /
a man Of unQuestioned ability and knowledge, /
who has been connected with the Observatory I
for more than a quarter Of a century, is acting /
az an assistant to Lieutenant Fox, in charge OF /
the nautical instruments and is detailed for /
work that any High School graduate could do, /
I. e. taking observations for clock correciio F
10 send out time signals. Professor Frisbie, one /
OF the Oldest and ablest astronon ers on the /
staff who is equipped to have charge OF any 4
instrument or any work. is doing perfunctory /
work on the Pinch equatorial
What can be said Of Yankee practicability /
when one OF the most important laboratories /
Of the Government Is conducted after this /
fashion
ANOTHER FRENCH PLAY AT HARVARD.