The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-09
DISAGREE over METHODS
The Naval Observatory C0ntro
vcrsy Again Renewed.
Captain Dnyis Files Charges Against
Prof. :. j. BrcUn-FOur Formal Ac
cusations Nnde-A Conflict Re
tween Two Sets of Astronomers.


Can't. Charles H. Davis, the Superin-
tcndeut of the United States Naval oh
servatory. has filed formal charges with
the Navy Department against Prof. Sitm-
son ]. Brown tho Director Of the 'Nautj-
cal Almanac" Prof. Brown has the rank
of captain in the navy. and is the head
uf the mathematical department of the
Observatory. He is well known in the
scientific world. and as an astronomer is
said to be one OF the foremost men of his
profession.
While the papers in the case are with
held from publication, and an effort has
been made to keep the matter from be-
coming generally known outside OF ON
cial circles. it is said that Captain DAVIS
has entered four specific charges against
Prof Brown. The latter is accused oi AZ
tempting to bring about a change III the
conduct and nagement of The ooserNa-
tory for the purpose Of removing II from
the jurisdiction Of the Navy Department.
He is further accused of having hidue
statements as coming from Captain Davis
which the latter declares are untrue ana
never made by him, with having made
certain threats against the superintendent
and with neglect of his duties as an officer
Of the Government
A controversy has been waging between
scientists of repute and certain officers
for some time regarding the administra-
lion of the Naval Observatory. The great
body of astronomers have long contended
that the Observatory has no place under
the jurisdiction of the Navy Department,
hut contend that It should be a separate
institution by itself If not that then
they argue that it should be under the
direction of trained astronomer selected
from private life concerning whose abili-
ties there could be no question.
A sort of professional jealousy which
several times has come near causing
strained relations has existed between
astronomers in private llfe and scientists
in general who have any knowledge of
astronomy. and the naval officers, ever
since Admiral Sampson, as Chief of the
Bureau of Equipment, displaced Prof.
Simon Newcomb and a large number of
the private scientists and installed in
their stead officers of the navy. He he
gan The change about twelve years ago.
and the contention between the two fac
tions has been going on ever since. OF
late it has been quite acute. Admiral
Sampson. with the same manner which
has characterized the two recent episodes
in which he has figured, set about reor-
EanizinE the Naval Observatory on a
plan which subordinated trained scien-
lists and displaced many of them with
officers of the navy, whom he maintained
were better qualified for the work
Since that time the few remaining
scientists have been the targets for the
attacks OF the naval astronomers. Ad-
nliral Sampson declared that the fine
sensitive instruments of the institution
We're in very bad shape, and that the
men in charge did not know how to use
them. He was severely criticised for his
action then as now, bat he had the au-
thority and carried out his purposes.
Recently there has been put forward re-
newed efforts to enlarge the powers and
authority of the astronomical director by
congress, and this has brought
greater enmity and personal
-ween Captain Davis and Prof.
rof Brown not long ago pre-
atement setting forth his views
sing the management OF the in
md attempting to show where
~ and what could be done to
~ .,...d that he threatened to attack
Captain Davis before the committee of
Congress having the matter Of the OBJ
servatory in charge. He maintained that
the lack Of professional direction was the
cause Of the failure of the Observatory To
reach the high standard of accuracy
stitutiOn Of this character. He declared
this to be the opinion OF expert astrono-
neTs in the larger universities and OBJ
seTvatories There is said to be no ques-
tion but that nearly all of these men
agree with him in his contention.
or late discussion Of the biect has
been carried on in Science" a weekly
paper devoted to scientific topics and the
management Of the Naval Observatory
has been attacked. All this has aroused
not only the professional pride OF Captain
Davis, but it has engcndered a still more
bitter feeling against Prof. Brown, and
is said u have led TO the action Of the
superintendent in filing the charges.
TIE papers in the case Were submitted
to Admiral Bradford. the Chief of the
Bureau Of Equipment who has jurisdic-
tion over the Observatory, and have been
by MIN referred to the Secretary Of the
Navy. \ copy Of the charges has been
served upon Prof. Brown and ne las been
given a certain time in which TO reply to
them. What action viii then be taken is
as vet "A matter of speculation, but it Is re-
garded as probable that a court Of On
qulry Will be appointed to investigate
the matter and render report.