Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-23
WEATHER BUREAU WORK.
Chief Willis l.. MOOre's Annual Report
to SeCretnrH NilAnn

I" secretary W ifSOn.
The weather Lureau operations during
The past fiscal year are set forth in some
detail in report recently submitted by
Chief Willis L. Moore to Secretary Wilson.
The most prominent event chronicled in
Mr.. Moore's report is the extension of the
bureaus field of operations to include all
of the West Indies and the shores of the
Gulf of Mexico. Although the protection
of the United States naval forces was the
primary object in organizing the new serv-
ice, other considerations of scarcely less
Importance made the step d wise and
beneticent one.
First and foremost OF these was the very
ma teral strengthening of the storm warn
ing system OF the gulf and south Atlantic
coasts that would result from planting ad-
diuonai observing stations in the West In
dies and on the northern coast of South
America; second, the Improvement in the
existing service that would follow the sub
stitution of skilled observers for special
agents in the West Indies, and finally
the need of efficient storm warning service
for the benefit of our growing commercial
interests throughout the West Indies Cen
trial and South American countries.
Record OF Work.
The brilliant work already accomplished
by this service under the manifold disad-
vantages incident to its conduct and man
cal sun, the report says .ilas dispelled any
doubt that may have existed as to the
wisdom of its installation
The weather service has also been eX-
tended IN our own country by the estab-
hshment of a climate and crop center in
Alaska and new observing stations in Mon
tana, Idaho, California, Arizona, Utah,
Colorado, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia Ken
lucky, West Virginia and Michigan. These
additional stations will assist quite mate
of in,,lf al
and industrial interests in the immediate
loCallties wherein they are located. In re-
gard to aerial observations and kite expert
ments Professor Moore remarks:
Kite work was prosecuted unin terrupted
~ throughout the year. The larger por
uon or the time was devoted to the per
lection of a complete working outfit of
aerial apparatus suitable for use in the
hands OF observers of only average skill
and experience.
Sixteen stations had been equipped by the
first week in June and 27s actual ascen-
sions. in all of which the elevation attained
exceeded LOCO feet were made during the
remainder of the month. There are many
natural obstacles in the way of successful
kite flying. The destruction of kite wire
by electric discharges in the neighborhood
OIL an area Of thunderstormS gave some
trouble, although the kites generally
capped in femarka bic manner. In one case
with 1900 feet of line out, the kite was
struck by lightning, fusing the wire and
stttAilS INC mite dlt11C. bOlH the Mite anu
the instrument that it carried were dis
covered the second day afterward twenty
miles away. The kite was but little injured
and the clock in the instrument was still
running
1t is yet too early, the report concludes,
to express an opinion as to the value in
practical weather forecasting of the OBJ
servations secured by kites.
The Forecasts.
Forecasts Of severe atmospheric disturb
ances including floods in rivers, frosts and
freezing weather in Florida. California and
the truck growing regions Of the gulf and
south Atlantic states were promptly and
accurately made. There were five floods
during the year, the floods in OHIO and In
diana in the latter part of March of this
year being the most destructive. There We're
no unusually disastrous storms during the
year and few cold waves. although unusual
ly cold weather prevailed in the fruit re-
gion of California.
Over twenty-three million forecasts were
distributed during the year, exclusive of
those printed in the daily papers ONO re-
ceived the greatest number. =, 151,3oO New
York the next greatest, 2,033, 400; followed
by Michigan. 100000; Illinois. 1.4S5.O 600;
Missouri, 49,, 600. and Pennsylvania, 1,219,-
900.
A line of new work recently undertaken
by the bureau is the collection through the
cooperation of agents and ad3usters or
Farmers Mutual Insurance Associations
anu MANY private persons vi SedLislics VI
loss of farm property, including stock in
the fields, by lightning.
The Farmers Mutual Insurance Associa-
lions. of which there has been large in
crease in some states within recent years,
insure large amount of isolated farm
property. One of the most prolific causes
OF damage is lightning. The number Of
lightning strokes f1uctuates within rather
large limits year by year; thus in Michigan
there were 316 cases one year and 1909 the
following year.
1t is hoped that the statistics collected
will, in the course of time, enable those in
terested to determine the relative frequency
of lightning stroke throughout the United
States.
Dies of Group.
Georgana Mayo. aged six years. daugh-
ter of Woodson Mayo, colored, No. 17.3
Clicks alley northwest, died suddenly of
Group yesterday.
1t pays to read the want columns of The
Star. Hundreds of situations are filled