The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-15
There Is nothing In tho world like
resoute, straightforward honesty; 1t Is
sure to conquer In the long run.
-southey.
The Weather Bureau.

The Weather Bureau.
The report of the Chief of the Weather
Bureau for 1895 is full and instructive and
shows that under the management of Mr..
Willis L. Moore the affairs of that depart
ment have been well cared for. Mr..
of service in this capacity on July I,
1865. In thai time the appropriations for
the support of the Weather Bureau have
been increased AL per cent. per annuu,
the appropriation for 1905 being si,337,-
74o but although this increase has been
comparatively small the gain In the
work of the department has been cnor-
NOUS. The daily distribution of forecasts
and warnings, printed charts and the
like have increased from 22,5S2 to Gs2,s0
copies. In recent years the department;
has been equipped with standard APP
paratus and furnishings of the latest de-
sign; daily maps are printed at nearly
one hundred of its local stations. large
glass maps continuing the current weather
reports are exhibited each morning be-
sAeNDSisth''''H'
maps are distributed within three hours
from the time that the observations are
made. Climatic statistics for the various
States are collected from nearly 4,W0
voluntary Observers and the department
has extended its network of stations
around the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf
of Mexico, so that no destructive trop,-
cal storm may come without warning.
The behavior of such storms is row
thoroughly understood and their course
can almost invariably be to:etod with
accuracy. Sometimes they d. the derart-
ment trick. as in the case Of the famous
Galveston storm, but 1t is rarely that
they give the observers the slip.
The department has established sta
lions in the Rermudas and Bahamas and
arranged for cable cooperation in The
Azores along the Western coast OF Eu-
rope, which enables 1T to make forecasts
two or three days in advance for steum
ers leaving this country ana to warn
steamers leaving Europe of severe
storms which they may encounter. With.
kites and mountain stations 1t has ex-
plored the upper air TO q distance of
several miles and gained useful know-
T edge. It.has. extended it's system Of tclc-
graphic and climatic observations so
that now, except in some parts OF the
Rocky Mountain States, the temperature
and rainfall conditions of nearly every
county can be ascertained.
ology in educational institutions by allow
ing its scientists, outside of their official
duties, to deliver courses Of lectures to
students, so that there are now twenty
institutions of learning where mateorol-
ogy forms part OF the curriculum.
Three years ago the bureau began es-
tabl!shing at Mt. Weather, Va. an !nsti-
tuition devoted purely to meteorological
research, and the achievements have been
gratifying.
We have not the room to outline ell
improvements and developments in this
splendid service, but enough has been
given to show that the department is
making splendid progress and the woik
which 1t is doing for mariners, for farm.
ers and for the convenience 81 the genera
public is beyond compute IN lis value
Forecasting under this splendid system
is not mere guess work. True a forecast
is not meant 10 be always ar ABSOLUTE
prediction. but it is always made upor
scientific premises and after careful ant
intelligent observation of weather cOnd
tions. At worst II is good ''indieatoan
Recently Observer Evans, of the Rich
mond Bureau, who is recoSaizeI as on
OF the most intelligent observers In th,
service. made a forecast that duriag tin
night we should have IN this section
rain, turning into snow" Such pre-
diction would seem to the uninstruate
a rash forecast. II Is not so difficult al
undertaking 10 predict with accuracy tina
rain will fall or that snow VIII fall with
IN a given period, but to max
prediction that there will be n rainfal
turning into snow storm with
twelve hours and 10 have that predle
ton completely verified is a sclentfi
accomplishment worthy OF ali admratlo
and proves that weather observations an
forecasts have been reduced very neari
TO an eSapt science
we congratulate the department upo
its splendid service here and elsewher;
and what Is more, We conarapiIate III
public upon the fact that II has IN
benefit Of such service.
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The Paw of Judges.