Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-26
AN IMPORTANT STEP
Harmonizing Functions Of
Two Departments.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY
STATIONS TO BE CONTROLLED BY
THE NAVY.
Ocean Meteorological Data to Go to the
Weather Bureau - Advantages De-
scribed by Chief Moore.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

In connection with the recent transfer Of
the control of all government wireless
telegraph stations from the Department
of Agriculture to the Navy Depart
ment, announcement is made today that
the control of ocean meteorology has
been transferred from the Navy De-
partment to the weather bureau of the De-
partment of Agriculture. This arrange
ment is in accordance with the report of
the interdepartmental board of wireless
biography, which convened in this city
last month, and is significant of a great
progressive stride toward more universal
governmental utility OF the wireless sys-
tenn.
Prof Willis l.. Moore, acting secretary
of the Department of Agriculture, said to-
day that this Is one of the most important
steps taken by the government, and fore
casts an uninterrupted wireless communi-
cation with all classes of vessels, whether
merchant marine battle ship when
within 300 miles of either the Pacific or
the Atlantic coast.
Weather Forecasting Aided.
This arrangement remarked the act
ing secretary today, removes a question
which for many years has been disturb
ing factor in these two departments, and
leaves a result acceptable to all. A rumor
has gained currency that the photographic
office has been transferred to the Agricul-
tural Department. This is not so; we
merely have been given control of the
meteorological work. The result, l believe,
will be a much more thorough forecast, re-
lating to storms approaching from the
seas 1t Is the purpose of the government
az ea hs Msyy to
and Pacific coasts. and / think there is
no doubt that all commercial as we'll as
army and navy vessels Will De equipped
The weather bureau Is greatly handi-
capped today in getting forecasts from the
Pacific ocean. owing to the small number
of stations installed on the coast and the
few vessels equipped with the wireless ap,
can see nearly all the first-class coastwise
vessels equipped and constantly sending
In information as to weather conditions at
their respective points. You can realize
the importance Of this when tell you that
all the storms come from the west. and
as we will be able to maintain cornmunica-
ton 800 miles at sea. which 10 about one
days movement of marine storm, we can
keep at least one day ahead OF the weather
binary 2-kilowatt De Forrest or Fessenden
apparatus.
Telling Of Tropical Storms.
1.-The advantage will not be so great on
the Atlantic coast. except in the treatme
of the destructive tropical storms, which
originate in the vicinity of the West Indies.
With that 30O-mile margin for communica
ton we can keep all coast points advised
of the conditions prevailing at We
will also be enabled to forecast the direc
ton and intensity of these storms, and can
issue warnings to ships at sea many hours
in advance of the gale. / consider this of
the greatest benefit to mariners and coast
wise shipping. At present the weather bu-
reau. through the Navy Department, is re-
han,
1900 ships, and with the increased facili-
ties this number Will be multiplied almost
by itself.
The Importance of the system of wire
less telegraphy cannot be overestimated.
1t Is, In my mind. more essential in time of
peace than in time of war. The war in the
orient has demonstrated it's actual and
practical value 1t is no longer theory
In any sense of the word, and with the in
stallation of the stations contemplated, and
the cooperation between the Navy and
Agricultural departments. feel safe In
predicting that more good will be done,
more lives and cargoes saved by this mu-
tual exchange Of observations than by
any other means ever devised"
Report Of the Recent Board.
The report Of the wireless board has just
been issued from the government printing
office, and in explanation of the transfer
of the meteorological work says:
1t Is the opinion of the members of this
board that no meteorological work need or
should be done by any portion Of the navy
for the purposes of publicati ton or for the
making of forecasts or storm warnings:
that all such duties, being purely civil.
should devolve upon the weather bureau of
the Department of Agriculture In accord
ance with the organic act creating that bu
reau.
We recommend that the estimates for
hV6rOura nj
the navy, or any other office of the navy
Tor the next and succeeding fiscal years
90 not contain any provision for the maxi
ing OF ocean forecasts. or for the publica-
ton OF meteorological data, other than
such as may be needed by the hydrographer
OF the navy for use on the pilot and other
charts which data shall be furnished by
and credited to the weather bureau.
We recommend that the wireless sta
lions of the Navy Department shall. with
out charge to the Agricultural Department
receive and promptly transmit to the ocean
or 10 Islands, or to other places where the
information may be made useful the storm
warnings of the weather bureau
We recommend that the Navy Depart-
ment shall request all vessels having the
use or Its wireless stations for the receipt
or messages to take daily meteorological
observations of the weather when within
communicating range and to transmit such
observations to the weather bureau
through naval wireless stations at leas
once daily and transmit observations Of
tener when there is a marked change in the
barometer; and that there shall he no
charge against the Agricultural Depart
hient Tor these observations or the trans
mission thereof
We further recommend that tho ,,oo.
sary steps be taken that the Navy Depart-
ment may equip and install compIete
coastwise wireless telegraph system cover
ing the entire coasts of the United States
ns 1nsulitr possessions and the canal zone
in Panama"