The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-19
NEW OBSERVATORY
Plan to Give the University an Up-tO.
Date Building.

ITHACA, y. Y. Nov. 1S.-After putting
up for years with the poorest observatory
building possessed by a modern college.
keeping with the importance of the uni
versity. Prof f. A. Fuertes, director of
the Cornell College of Civil Engineering,
announced yesterday that funds for the
building and modern equipment were as
sured, although he would not say whence
they were 10 come. Architects are now at
work on plans for the new building, and
a call for bids will soon be made. The
faculty has been considering the question
OF site. as the old site will not be available
owing to the erection of the new ana
tomicai building 1t has been practically
decided TO place the new building on knoll
southwest OF the Veterinary College, fac
ing the green. This will place the obser-
vatory midway between the new anatomical
building and the Sage College dormitories.
The new observatory will be built of grey
stone to match the other modern build
ings on the campus. The plans, as far as
drawn. specify building 9GxiS feet. There
will be large equatorial dome twenty feet
in diameter aud two smaller dOmes eight
cen feet and twelve feet in diameter. re-
spectively. Eight piers are planned to sup
equipment includes two transit instru-
ments, two zenith telescopes, two alt
azimuths. one prime. vertical instrument.
sidereal, and mean time clocks. chrome
meters. seNtants. artificial horizons
and other modern appliances.
TIE observatory which the university has
been using for years is the only one ever
built here. II has been moved about from
place TO place. and several additions have
been made. The building is frame with a
small dome of rusty tin. For years the
building has been the laughing stock of
Comedians, and the surprise of all Wis
itors who asked to see the observatory.
Visitors had to ask. for no one would show
The old building otherwise. The old obser-
Va tory has caused the university painters
more trouble than all the other frame
together. Whenever football
eleven won a victory on the gridiron the
score was registered on the side or dome
IF the observatory. After the Columbia
game last year ali energetic band OF stu
tents painted this inscription:
Cornell. .s; Columbia, 0! Tell Yale.'
The painters were evidently tired Of
going over the structure for the inscription
vas allowed to stand.
Ezra Cornell was planning gift for
lew observatory when he was suddenly
stricken with the illness which resulted in
lis death. He had invested heavily in the |
londs of several short railroads, calculated
o connect Cornell with ether parts of the
State. and thus tied up the greater part of
he fortune which he had not already given |
o Cornell. He was fighting his way out of |
he financial difficulty when death cut short |
lis plans. y He had announced his intention |
# giving $50. coo for an observatory as soon |
Is he was clear of the railroad deal In |
pite Of the miserable building and poor |
Equipment the work Of this department has |
,een kept up TO the Cornell standard By |
trenuous effort and interesting discoveries
lave been made by student and faculty
4