New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21

of the most noted Of his day but he was a hydrog
rapher rather than astronomer. and his letter
cited'in the report because 1T was impossible
to omit some word of comment regarding the prac-
tice of appointing to difficult posts men whose claim
to preferment is based some notable achieve
ment in another and very different field OF action
SIMPSONS ENERGY.
That the directive force is of great Importance
may be seen by the efficient manner in which Ad-
miral Sampson once he realized the lack of CO.
operation among the staff at the time he became
the ad interim head of the observatory, took hold
of affairs and placed at work instruments that had
long lain idle
A few years later Commander now Rear Ad-
observatory, as aid to Vice-Admiral Rowan, then
arose between the civilian and naval members Of
the staff considerable discussion was eToIsea;
ietter to The Ne%nYork Herald february 20
@ hh csm eae 6 oa aS e than
year since, 1 found these instruments dsused. The
transit instrument had not been used since 1873,
and then only at intervals for several years pre-
The The pe 1efea had mot
1857 These Instruments had been shsmefqIly neg neg
had received further injury by an nd Cnet
sen wers II the same Condition and
unfit for any real work" ,o7u
Sampson believed the members of the staff to be
inefficient END aee9rdRgy PLACED the of the
Navy. The astronomers seriously criticised MN "a
not snrprsing that there was considerable differ
of opinion among those who took part IN Sne
discussion. It does not appear that Conlnan9tS;r
Sampson claimed for the eutenants superior anli-
petent to undertake this and other work. But he
did believe that the instruments should De uSeu,
and he accordingly took steps to bring them INTO
service.
The work begun and carried on SO energeticaHy
under this officer has never been pubhsheo' an
other illustration of the defective system in con-
stantly changing the head of the observatory
In reviewing this report it is but justice to say
that it doesn't the scientific staff OF lack
OF ability lack of ZEAL but mentions as the CHIEF
reason for the poverty in published results the want
of coherency and co-operation-n a word, lack OF
proper direction. Each principal astronomer has
carried on his work in his own way, often
with excellent results which gave the observatory
a brilliant reputation both at home and abroad.
The staff indeed, has been composed of men almost
too able. Commenting upon the Board established
by Rear Admiral Rodgers, consisting of the super
intendent, the line officer next in rank to the SUI
perintendent and the senior professors of mathe-
matics the report bears this statement out by say
ing:
men of 20 only t average ability it Is hardly likely
that it would been left long without a well de-
the individual achievements Of Its members brought
them international regulations, which were shared
tinued and homogeneous series of routine observa-
t lies. was " ''''
BOARD OF VISITORS.
The ideal recommendation of the Board, and one
that cannot be too speedily adopted, is the APP
pointment of board of visitors, for which 1t pro-
vides as follows
There shall be appointed by the President from
persons not officers of the United States board of
astronomers of high professional standing and three
to be eminent citizens of the United States. APP
of three years, but provision shall be made by mi
astronomers and one member Of the Board not an
astronomer shall retire in each year. Members of
the secretary Of the Navy shall pay the actual eX
penses necessarily incurred by members of the Board
in the discharge of such duties assigned
them by the, Secretary Of the Navy or are other
shall make an annual visitation to the Naval OBJ
servatory at date TO be determined by the Secre-
lions not exceeding two in number annually by the
full Board, or by duly appointed committee as
may be deemed needful or expedent by ma
jority of the Board.
tary of the Navy at least once in each year the
suit of its examinations of the Naval Observatory
and apparatus. and the efficiency with which its
scientific work is prosecuted.
COST OF THE OBSERVATORY.
The cost Of the Naval Observatory, as compared
to other observatories, has been a frequent sub
ject Of discussion and the note in regard to it
page IL of the report is not without interest 1t
must, however, be borne in mind that Govern
ment in nearly all departments is extensively
run than those the other side, and that while
of the higher officials are less well paid the
subordinates are better paid than their contempt
raries in Europe and Great Britain, but the point
is well made that the amount and character OF its
work and its standing are not commensurate with
the large expended for it's equipment and
maintenance.
to the Government exceeds $50 O00 not includ-
| ing expenditures for THE Nautical Almanac" In
any plan for reorganization the sum of $S5 900
nually should therefore be assumed that avail
the expenses rather than to increase the amount of
useful work accomplished
From comparison of the resources of the Naval
tories of the world, it appears that the observa-
lows: Naval Observatory $685. 900; Paris, $50 900;
Greenwich, $4,000; Harvard. $4,000; Pulkova,
of some of the richest private observatories
published but 1t is probable that none of them
INCOMES Of the greater portion Of the Obseryatories
| than those mentioned above.
THE SENTIMENT OF CIVILIAN SCIENTISTS.
No doubt certain measure of disappointment
| will be felt at the moderation Of this report by
some Of those who have closely watched the course
| Of events in the observatory. The eminent men
who composed the Board, however will be seen
by the concluding paragraph of their recommends
| TONS believe that the reform proposed by them
will result in much improvement:
In concluding its recommendations the Board of
Visitors wishes earnestly to urge upon your con-
sideraton the necessity OF making a success of the
prove the condition Of the Naval Observatory and
body OF the astronomers of the country and to the
| public.
approval can be carried into effect by departmental
action, but the changes which regard vital
gress. If such legislation is Withheld the con
tlnuance or present conditions is result in
F e ana Of he r 6
naval control IT, however. the legislation is enact
unquestionabiy much Improvement will result, and
It is not improbable that the observatory will at