Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1904-11-23


relying on mystical, nop-eXisting plaI
etary influences, or on inspiratiC
which means nothing save an irratioI
al mental condition. Should be abl
to make them.
The Weather Bureau today is gi,
ing the people the best service poss
BILE, but not content with the success
already attained, it has in the pasi
and Is now, studying every availabl
and suggested means Of improving
and extending the scope and ampli
tude of its forecasts, for both shor,
and long periods, and should lon,
range foroeastS ever become possible
1t will be through such efforts an,
not by the braggadocio methods o.
ignorant charlatans who now occup,
the field with their long-range fore
casts.
Prof. Willis ]. Moore, who, as Chiej
of hto Weather Bureau has had tC
ceal with this subject in beth an ad
ministratiNe way and in ITS scientific
aspect, recently stated mis- views on
so-called long range forecasts in nc
uncertain language. and wholly in
condemnation. In substance he said
that 1t Is the opinion of che leading
metcorolosists of the world that pub
lie interests are injured by the publi
cation OF so-called long range weather
forecasts. especially such predictions
as relate to severe storms, floods,
droughts, and other atmospheric phe-
nomena OF a dangerous and damaging
character, and the persistent efforts
OF certain men to foist their predic-
tions or the public, for public gain,
has reached such proportions that it Is
deemed advisable fairly and temper
ately to counteracC the influence OF
those whom we believe to be prey
ing on the creduility OF the public.
They may believe that they have dis
covered a physical law or n mcteoro-
logical principle that has not been re-
vealed TO the astronomers, m9teoro-
logistS or to any other class of scien-
tific investigators, but the publica-
tion OF predictions that by reason of
their absolute i.c>curccy are caIcTl-
lated to oe positively injurious to ag-
gricultural, commercial and other in
dustrial interests, casting a serious
doubt on the honesty of their purpose,
and upon their disnterested devotion
to the public welfare. Such publica-
tionS bring the science OF mcteorology
into disrepute and cannot, therefore,
be made in response To desire TO
advance that science along useful
lines; and they retard the work OF
honest investigators through whose
efforts only can gains he made in the
fundamental knowledge Of the causa-
ton of weather, that Will justify fore
casts for a month or season in ad.
vance.
In a circular letter TO observers on
the same subject, Prof. Moore says
Il hope the time will como when it
will be possible to forecast the wealth
er for coming seasons. to specify in
what respect the coming month or
season will conform ~ or depart from
the weather that is common to the
month or season: but that time has
not yet arrived, and | believe that
YOU will be best serving the public in
tcrests when, without ndulgmg in
personalities or mentioning names.
YOU teach the community you serve
the limitations of weather forecast
ing and warn il against impostors.
Your public press should, and doubt
less Will cooperate with ne in this
endeavor." J. w. BAUER,
Section Director.