The times., 1899-12-17

quested to cause the longitude Of the Cap
fJol TO be determined as exactly as pos
sible by further observations. but the reso-
luton was not carried into effect until after
further Congressional action in 1921. when
Mr. Lambert was appointed by the Presi-
dent TO make astronomical observations
by lunar occultations of fixed stars, solar
eelipses, or any approved method adapted
10 ascertain the longitude Of the Capitol
from Greenwich"
Mr. Lambert's report, which was sub
mitted to Congress by President Monroe
on January 5. 1922, gives determinations
Of the longitude OF the Capitol referred
10 Greenwich and Paris. and the longitude
Of the Presidents House referred to Green
Wich, and strongly urges the Importance
of establishing an observatory
first supplementary report by Mr. Lam
bert, dated March Z, 1922. corrects the
longitude Of the Capitol previously given
The Old value is returned 10, however. in
second supplementary report commUni-
Gated BY the President December % 1923,
in which further arguments are made In
favor OF establishing an observatory. This
was reported upon in 1924 but the report
laid upon the table. No further action was
taken at this time
John Quincy Adams Offer.
No stronger or more persistent advocate
Of the establishment of national observ-
atory can be found than John Quincy
Adams, who as early as 1923 offered 81, ,0eO
TO Harvard University on condition that an
astronomical observatory be established,
and in 1925 as President of the United
States, in recommending the foundation
of a national observatory, remarked: Con
( Hected with the establishment of a uni
versity, or separate from IT, might be I'M
dertaken the erection of an astronomical
observatory, with provision for the sup
port Of an astronomer, to be in constant
I attendance on the phenomena OF the heav-
ems, and for the periodical publication OF
his observations He alluded with no
feeling Of pride TO the fact that "on the
: comparatively small territorial surface Of
| Europe there are existing more than one
/ hundred aud thirty of these light houses of
( the skies. while throughout the whole
American hemisphere there is not onf
This recommendation, so far as il relates
! 10 an observatory. was referred 10 a COM
T mittee, which reported with regard 10 the
position the probable cost OF building, and
/ the expense Of equipping and maintaining
( the observatory. It was advised that a
site be chosen within the city Of Washing
ton and pointed out that the astronomer
should be independent In the performance
of his duties, but accountable for the re-
suits, for his industry, and the correctness
! OF his observations and calculations II
/ was further remarked that, "ss an astrono-
mer. with the requisite talents and quail
I icati0ns, would be Obliged 10 devote all his
/ time and attention 70 the duties OF his sta
I ton. il is not 20 be expected that fit per-
son could be procured for this situation
without the compensation of a liberal sala-
~" The report, ahich vas drawn up by
! Major General A. Macomb Chief of Engi-
neers, and submitted TO the Secretary OF
4 War was accompanied by other documents
relative to the site Of the proposed obser-
yatory and details OF a plan for a building
This report together with "a bill TO es-
tablish an observatory in the District OF
I Columbia reached a second reading in
/ Congress. but did not advance beyond this
point.
! No further action was taken until 1890
when Mr Branch, Secrstary Of the Navy
expressed his approval Of the project oi
/ founding a national observatory. He be-
lieyed it to he particularly desirable for
the purpose Of establishing a first meridian
I and for the prosecution OF purely scientific
ure OF the earth, and the Improvement Of
theories relative 10 the motions OF plane
I tary bodies.
10 Advance Astronomy.
Commodore John Rodgers. writing TO the
Secretary OF the Navy considered the prin-
cipal object in establishing the observato-
~ would not be to aid, essentially, the
' suryCs Ing Of oar coast, but to unile oui