The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-19

among astronomical observatoriea
throughout the world. For example
/ fifty observatories set out to observe
the planet Eros during its opposition
in 1900. but so far as is known only
two or three have made the reductions
necessary to render their observations
of any value
Capitalization of Interests.
/ Not only would the special endow-
ment of this new institution have to be
managed by the board. but a close
connection with all astronomical re
search funds would need 10 be establish
ed as fast as possible in order that
the incomes from these, too, should be
applied in the most effective way. In
fact, it would be desirable to secure d
maximum of Capitalization of astronom-
zeal interests IN the hands of the one
board. Membership in the organiza-
ton, however, would certainly have no
effect upon the amount OF the appro-
pTiation offered to any given obseTva-
tory; ali that would be necessary would
be evidence Of capacity to do the re-
CURED work
Better Returns From Endowment Funds
One advantage of this Capitalization
scheme is that the results from the large
sums Of money at present invested in
astronomical plants would at once be-
gin to yield q richer return than now,
fo- it must not be supposed that every
dollar given by generous friends Of sci
ence to the cause of this science is pro-
duCing ideal results. As q matter of his
tory, we had at one time in the United
States q great observatory with no teIe-
scope in It; a great telescope without
trained astronomer, and a distinguished
astronomer whose valued observations
the outgTowth Of years of hard work
were rendered useless for lack Of & few
hundred dollars to publish them Even
at this writing there are beautiful OBJ
servatories in the United States.
equipped with powerful telescopes, which
lie idle and therefore useless q great
part Of the night Such an unfortunate
state of things has grown up because in
dividuaI donors have given money here
and there without consulting the actual
needs Of the science of astronomy.
Most Popular OF Sciences.
Yet the stream OF gifts continues to
flow. There is no science more distinct
" popular. none that appeals more dis
tinctly TO the Imagination, than the
study of the starry heavens. Conse-
quently money is given freely by indi-
viduaIs to this institution and that. The
expenses CT conducting the worlds lead
Ing ohservatorfes seem considerable,
even in these days Of large figures.
Incomes Of Large Observatories.
The annual incomes of the Ave richest
obseryatories are rs follows: Naval OBJ
servatory. Washington, $85, 600; Paris.
$50. 900; Harvard, $50, 900; Greenwich.
$49. 600; PuIkowa. $4,000. The resources
Of the Harvard Observatory, aggregating
more than 5000, 600, represent about one
fifth Of the total resources Of the uni
versity. The whole amount expended
annually upon astronomical research is
said to be not less than half q million
dollars. representing the interest at 3
per cent, upon $4,000, 600.
Usefulness of All Enhanced.
An addition to this capital Of one mil
lion dollars, to serve the function Of CO.
ordinating and regulating astronomical
efforts would, Prof. Pickering believes.
have the immediate effect OF enhancing
the usefulness Of every really active
observatory in the world. Existing funds