New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-23
WORK OF THE WEATHER BUREAU.
CHIEF MOORES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CHIEF MOORES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
Washington. Nov 22.-The doings of tho Weather
Bureau in the last fiscal year given in some de-
tail In report recently submitted by Chief Willis
l.. Moore TO Secretary Wilson. The most impor-
tant occurrence chroniclcd in Mr. Moore's report is
the extension OF the Bureaus field of operations
include all OF the West Indies and the shores Of the
Gulf Of Mexico. Although the protection of the
United States naval forces the primary object
in organizing the new service other considerations
OF scarcely less importance made the step wise
and benehcent one. First OF these was the material
strengthening Of the storm warnings system Of the
Cuff and South Atlantic coasts that would result
from planting additional observing stations In the
West Indies and the northern coast Of South
America; second the improvement in the existing
service that would follow the substitution OF skilled
observers for special agents in the West Indies
and, finally. the need OF an efficient storm warnings
service for the benefit OF the growing commercial
interests OF the United States throughout the West
Indies, Central and South American countries The
work already accomplished Ly this service under
the many disadvantages incident to its conduct and
management on foreign soil and under tropical
sun. the report says has dispelled any doubt that
nay have existed as to the wisdom Of It's instala-
ton.
The weather service has also been extended in
this country by the establishment Of a climate and
crop centre in Alaska and new observing stations
in Montana Idaho. California. Arizona. Utah. COL
orado Texas Mississippi, Georgia Kentucky. West
Virginia and Michigan. The additional stations
will assist materially in the development OF agri-
cultural and industrial interests In the localities
wherein they are established.
In regard to aerial observations and kite expert
ments. Professor Moore remarks that the kite work
was prosecuted unnterrupedly throughout the year.
The larger part OF the time was devoted 10 the
perfection Of a complete working outfit OF aerial
apparatus suitable for I'm the hands Of Observ
ers OF only average skill and experience. Sixteen
June and 278 actual asccnsiOns In all OF which the
elevation attained exceeded thousand feet.
mace IN the remaining Hlohth, neiV ar MANY 0p-
stacIes In the way of successful klte-nying Inc
destruction of kite by electric discharges In
the neghborhood Of an area OF thunderstorms gave
some trouble. although the Kites generally escaped
In q remarkable manner. IN one case, win lZVD
fee; Of line out. the kite was struck by lightning,
seVerinS The wire and setting the kite adrift. Both
the kite ard the instrument il carried dscov-
cred the second day aftcrward twenty miles away.
The kite little injured. and the clock In the
report concludes to express an opinion as TO the
value in practical work.
Forecasts OF severe ATMOSPHERIC disturbances IN
Guiding floods In rivers fross and freezing weather
in Florida California and the truck growing re-
gions OF the Gulf ana South Atlantic States. were
promptly and accurately made. There were no un-
usually disastrous in the year and few colo
waves although unusually cold weather prevailed
in the fruit region Of California. There were floods
in the year those Ohio and Indiana In the latter
part Of March being the most destructive
over twenty-thrce million forecasts were distrib-
Ohio received the greatest number, 2,"I5p; New
York the next greatest. 2O33. 400 followed by M.ch
gan 10000: illinois l.4s5Oco, Missouri, 1850
A line Of new work recently undertaken by the
Bureau is the collection through the cooperation
Of agents and adusters OF iaFn,rrs u1u@i nSup
statistics Of loss Of farm property, including stock
IN the fields by lightning