New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27

fine II f necessary TO have q telescope and two
astronomical clocks.
The telescope at the observatory is a fixed
transit instrument Il is a huge brass affair
that swings easily. and when leveIled skyward
and ready for action q turn OF mysterious
wheels causes the roof to part from the centre
until il shows g wide slice Of sky studded with
time telling stars To the ignorant eyes OF the
visitor The computation is as mysterious as any
o. the tricks Of the peak capped astrologers OF
black at days. There is plainly q compact be
tween the scientific star gazer the big astro-
noulicaI clock and the busy little chronograph
that records the red lines. The scientist
recIines comfortably q leather lounge with
his eyes glued 10 the tube carrying the big lens.
II MS hands Is a small something he calls q
key, and 10 which are attached insulated wires
that stretch into the time room beyond The
glass is aimed that when any standard star
reaches TIE meridian it viii cross a hair ar
ranged IN The telescopes field OF view. At that
instant The astronomer hits the key and the
key sends The information TO the big clock; the
Ltue Iel makes break in its line. and by this
process The observatory is able to get the correc-
uon 10 the standard clock and 50 give the United
States absolutely correct time
Eve-y Coy al I'VE minutes 10 noon Commander
room, where The big transmitting clock is ready
10 tick out ills daily signal be lifts the lid Of
the telegraph apparatus and touches the key.
The 1-z1-Ig nose that comes Of the touch is q
sigma for the Western Union Company 10 be
ready Incidentally, there is no fear Of its fail
UTe 10 De Oh time, for every Western Union Of
ice II the country stops work at I'VE minutes
before i O'Clock every working day in the year.
II order 10 1ash The information that drops time
balls and checks public tiInepieces all over the
country ~ noon These added i've minutes
amount 70 many lost hours throughout the year,
but The company is not grumbling about il, for.
Es the commander said, II pays.
NOWhere-nOt even at a New Years Eve watch
neeuug-can one get so accurate an estimate
o. the value II time as IN the little chronometer
ICON Of the naval observatory when the big
clocks TICK the last minute before noon The
commander. manlike, takes out his watch to see
Il il Is correct The pendulums sway relentless
ly, the little chrOnOgraph scratches sinuous red
lines thai never err, and the telegraph keys
click Ulcalny sounds While that one minute Is
passing the novice feels that every lost hour OF
his life is standing before him in judgment the
EWaying and scratching and clicking are so
many sermons that begin to grow unbearaDIe-
Then the commander puts his watch back in his
pocket, noon whistle blows, and the spell Is
broken.
At this daily noon signal the time balls are
dropped IN washington. Boston, Newport,
Woods Hole, New-York, Philadelphia, Balti-
more, Fortress Monroe, Savannah and New-Or-
leans the numerous Offices OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company furnishing correct
time and many thousands OF miles Of railways
are given the signal over their lines The whole
Operation is automatic except the closing OF the
circuits, which is done BY the oeicer in charge
o. the service On the Pacific Coast the signal Is
distributed from the Mare Island Navy Yard.
and ia the Philippines from the Manila OBJ
Eeryatory.
Similar signals can be given out al any hour
o. She cay OF night, from the same clock that
SENDS the noon signal, and this viii be done for