Evening star., 1901-11-12
HEAD OF THE OBSERVATORY
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD
OF VISITORS.
1t is Urged That an Eminent AstronO-
Frequent Change Opposed.

A contest between the scientists OF the
country on one side and naval line officers
on the other, which has been waged for
years past, and involves the control Of
the naval observatory. has been brought to
a critical point by the presentation to Sec
setary Long of the report of the board Of
visitors to the observatory, in which the
issue is drawn sharply in favor of civil
control. The board is composed of Charles
A. Young, Charles F. Chandler Asaph Hall,
jr., E, V. Pickering, Prof. Ormond Stone
and William r. Harper all men Of national
reputation in scientific research. The Par
ticular bone Of contention of late has been
a vacancy in the office of astronomic IL di
rector. and the board makes the foil ,wing
remarks as applying not only to that, out
to other less important places in lhe OBJ
servatory:
1T is recommended that no astronomical
director be appointed at present, as a dual
headshp has been found to work unsatiS-
factorily, and under the existing law the ap-
pointment of an astronomer as sole direc-
tor Of the observatOry-which the board
considers the proper solution of tile {: les
tion-is fmpracticable. Vacancies should
not be filled among assistant astronomers
nor among professors of mathematics in
the navy without examination FOR each va
cancy occurring. No distinction sho ali be
made between employees of the observatory
and other applicants. The responsibilities
of the positions of assistant astronomer and
professor Of mathematics are distinctly diff
ferent from those of computer, although
much of the required experience may proo
erly be gained in connection with the lat
ter position and be credited in the cNumina
tIons for the higher positions. AS far as Is
consistent with the routine needs o. the in
StltutIOn, the duties of the ComjuterS
should be SO arranged as to encouIag them
to prepare for advancement within the cb-
servatory itself. In no case should ap
pointments be made to the observatory
merely by transfer from other bureaus CT
offices in the service, nor shou1 appoint
ments ever be made even Temporarily with
out competitive examination
Applying these principles to practice the
board declines to name a person to fill the
vacant office of assistant astronomer at tae
observatory and instead recommends that
the appointment be made after civil ser
vice examination under the auspices OF tie
commission.
Coming to the more important subject Of
the actual head of the observatory, which
involves the issue between the scientists
and the line officers, the board says
AS every other prominent observatory is
under the direction Of astronomer we
wish to record our deliberate ami unani-
nous Judgment that the laws limiting tha
superintendency to line officer OF the
navy should be changed SO as to provide
that the official head of the Observatory
perhaps styled simply the director-should
be an eminent astronomer appointed by the
fTtSlueHl, ny ana WIN the aQVlce ana con-
sent. of the Senate, holding this place py
tenure at least as permanent as that of
the superintendent Of the coast survey, or
the head of the geological survey, and not
merely by detail of two OF three years
duration. Only in this way can there be a
continuous and effective policy of adminis-
tration which will insure astronomical
work of a high order In rank salary
privilege and prestige he should be superior
to any other official on the ground.
The Limitation in the selection of assist
ants should also be removed, and the as
sistant once appointed should be secure
against detachment or removal except by
the action, for cause, Of the director The
institution should be related to the Navy
Department, If continued under it's control,
in some such way as the royal observatory
at Greenwich is related to the b .tish ad-
miralty. 1t should be put und r r'i= con-
troll of the secretary directly, and not
through bureau as It present.
In conclusion the board finds objection to
the manner in which appropriations have
been made In support of the observatory
saying that 1t is not easy to determine what
portion of the expenditures pertains prop
erly to astronomical work, what ID ~tion t.,
the naval work, and what portion to tae
Improvement and care Of the grounds as a
part. The cost of maintenance foe the list
fiscal year was $10S, ,42S, of which amoudt
S2l,2oS was expended In salaries.