The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21

becoming conversant with all phases Of the
subject
The only important amendments incor-
porated in the bill by the committee are
one providing that the astronomical force
shall be under the direction of the Secre-
| tary of the Navy and of the naval officer
who may be detailed as superintendent OF
the observatory, and another making the
provisions of the bill. in regard TO board
of visitors, apply to the officer of the
Nautical Almanac. The bill as amended
provides that:
The permanent organization Of the as
Economical force at the Naval Observa-
tory, under the direction Of the Secretary
of the Navy and the naval officer who may
be detailed as superintendent shall con-
sist of an astronomical director with an
annual salary of $4,000; first astronomer,
with a salary of $4,000: 4 second astrono
mer, with a salary of $500; third as
tronomer, with salary OF S3,2OO; a
fourth astronomer, with a salary of $500;
n first assistant astronomer. with salary
of 81. 400: a second assistant astronomer,
with a salary of 50 200; a third assistant
astronomer, with a salary of $4,000, and
such computers, clerks. and other en-
ployes as are now or may hereafter be au-
thorized by law.
Sec 9 The astronomical director and
the four astronomers provided for by this
act are to be appointed from time to time as
they may be required to fill vacancies hap
pening in the corps of professors of mathe-
mates performing duty at the Observa-
tory; and hereafter there shall be no new
appointments of professors of mathematics
in the Navy The astronomical director,
the astronomers. and the assistant astrono-
ners shall be appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
"Sec. 3. There shall be appointed by the
President. by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate director of the Nauti-
cal Almanac. who shall receive an annual
salary of $1,000: Provided, however, That
the President may in his discretion. defer
making this appointment so long as a.pro-s
fessor of mathematics is available for such
position of director. and all the provisions
of the bill providing for board Of visitors
shall apply TO the Nautical Almanac Of
fee.
Sec. 4. There shall be appointed by the
President from persons not officers Of the
United States a board of nine visitors TO
the Naval Observatory. six TO be astrOno-
mers of high professional standing and
three to be eminent citizens of the United
States. Appointments TO this board shall
be made for periods of three years, hut
provision shall be made By initial appoint
ments for shorter terms. so that two as
not an astronomer shall retire in each
year. Members of this board shall serve
without compensation. but the Secretary
of the Navy shall pay the actual expenses
necessarily incurred by members of the
board in the discharge Of such duties as
are assigned TO them BY the Secretary Of
the Navy or are otherwise imposed upon
them. TIL, board of visitors shall make an
annual visitation to the Naval Observatory
al a date to be determined by the Secretary
Of the Navy and may make such other
visitations rot exceeding two in number
annually by the full board or by a duly
appointed committee as may be deemed
nesdful or eXpedient by a majority of the
board.
Sec 5. The board of visitors shall re-
port TO the Secretary Of the Navy at least
once in each year the result of its exam
nations of the Naval Observatory as re-
spects the condition of buildings. insrru-
ments. and apparatus. and the efficiency
with which its scientific work is prose-
cuted. The board of visitors shall pre-
pare and submit to the Secretary of the
Navy regulations prescribing the scope Of
the astronomical and other researches of
the Naval Observatory and the duties of its
staff with reference there5o. When an ap-
pointment or detail is TO be made to the
office of astronomical director. director of
the Nautical Almanac. astronomer, or as
sistant astronomer, the board of visitors
may recommend to the Secretary of the
Navy a suitable person 10 fill such office
but such recommendation shall be deter
mined only by majority vote of the mem
bers present at a regularly called meeting
Of the board held in the city of Washing
ton"