The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-17

Weather Man q report that he thoroughly
understands, as to Just how many inches,
tenths or hundredths Of inches Of rain havs
fallen or are falling.
mainly climbs to the Wealth. Mans ONCE
in summer time to abuse him for the 80
degrees that prevail upon the streets. the
prophet calmly steps from his door leading
out to the roof. mounts a ladder OF ten
steps. peeps into q little West Indies look
saves himself by telling the irate repre-
sentative that It is not as torid IS he
claims It Is. not by several degrees.
The little hut on the roof Is called the
thermometer shelter. It has a double roof
to protect the mercury from b direct ays
Of the sun. and glass sides.
Being removed from close contact with
the heated pavements and stone walls. its
reports are uninfluenced and are trust
worthy. At least. having nothing better.
citizens must accept them
Though it is provoking to have this Their
mometer show such a contradictory and
cool way in summer time. II may be some
colder and bleaker in its vicinity in zero
weather than 1t IS down on the streets.
OUTDOOR INSTRUMENTS
TRACE RECORDS IN THE OFFICE
All Of the outdoor instruments Of the
Weather Bureau trace their records in the
ONCE OF the Weather Man.
There are pen attachments myster1ously
supplied with ink, n these work with a
precision in tracing their lines n making
ing rather than working the automatic me
chanical devices.
The barometer Is to the Weather Man
what IN compass Is TO the mariner. 1t is
his chief working instrument, indicating
probable" local changes Of the weather.
and for truthful predictions Il not to be
outdone.
Over all this. the new Weather Man who
has been appointed by the Government to
preside. works early and late. though rath-
er earlier than late. since the main part Of
the Weather Bureaus work must b. &C.
corupltshed daily by 8 o'clock.
Telegraphic reports begin to come in by
I'D q. m, and the weather map for the
day Is complete by 8 o'clock.
ernmen MESSAGES. have priority over all
other messages. and have the r1ght-of-way.
therefore over the wires. They come to
the Weather Bureau in cipher. which the
weather chief unravels with his key.
For example. the daily report coming into
the ohiee from the station in Springfield.
No., read: Missouri sermon. humboldt
gerundive immortal" which, being trans
lated, means: Barometer 1854 Temper
ature at observation, IS degrees. Rainfall.
IL inch in last twenty-four hours. Wind
direction. southeast; cloudy. Maximum
temperature in last t~wenty-four hours 70.
Wind velocity. six miles an hour at OBJ
ssrvation. Lowest Temperature In last twen-
ty-four hours. IS degrees"
Edward II. Bowie. the present chief. was
transferred from Texas to 81 Louis. and is
one Of the youngest weather experts in the
Government service, though he has had
eleven years experience as a weather man.
". Bowie knows that st. Louis has estae-
lished q reputation for all sorts Of wealth
sr. but this does not disturb him.
In fact, Mr.. Bowie IL not at all frightened
by the outlook Of his duties. Tho only fault
that he has found with his new post Is
that It Ii housed in quarters less attractive
than they might be.
Tho ofices In the old Post-Omce building
are gray and grim, and while the skeleton
iron stairways that lead IN and up to the
dome are suggestive. to be sure, OF the
aerial occupation Of the Weather Bureau.
thsy aEO stu not necessary to the success