Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22

office sends out each morning a large
number of small cards containing only
the forecasts while the rural free de-
livery carriers in many sections deliver
a slip containing the same information
to the patrons on their mail routes.
The telephone also is used extensively
in the dissemination of the weather
forecasts, and through the cooperation
OF many of the companies the fore
casts are distributed free of charge to
all subscribers in the rural districts
desiring the information.
Benefits All Glasses Alike
1t will be readily seen from the fore
going that this vast distribution of
weather information reaches almost
every line of business, and nearly
everyone is able to get the very latest
information regarding coming weather
changes at an early hour in the morn
ing. To the shipper of perishable
goods, the mariner both on the sea
and on the great inland lakes, the
railroad companies. in fact every line
OF business, this information is of un-
told benefit. In our own state of Cali
fornia the information furnished the
raisin dryers and citrus fruit industry
in a year is worth the cost of maintain
ing the bureau. The forecasting
weather of dangerous floods in the
rivers of the country is another branch
of weather bureau work that has saved
many lives and a great deal of valuable
property annually. So thoroughly
familiar have the officials of the bureau
become with the action of the large
streams that each year flood acres
upon acres of land, that they are able
to accurately forecast the stage in the
river to the tenth of foot, some twen-
ty-four to thirty-six hours, and in some
instances a longer time, in advance.
The time the crest of the flood will pass
a given point can also be foretold.
In the matter of advancing the cause
CT meteorology the weather bureau al
ways stands ready to lend a helping
hand, and in many of our schools and
colleges officials of the bureau are reg
ularly engaged in teaching this import
ant subject. Glasses from all educa-
tional institutions are always welcome
TO visit the office, and special pains are
taken to give the pupils an idea of the
workings of the instruments, the move
ments of storms, and, in fact, all de-
tails connected with the work which
readily lend themselves to short eX-
plantations.
Atmospheric and Solar Physics
One of the most important steps for
the advancement of this popular sci
ence, made in recent years, is the es-
tablishment of a special research OBJ
servatory at Mount Weather, Virginia.
Here a trained corps of scientists are
daily engaged in attacking the problem
of upper air exploration by means of
kites and balloons, and also in trying
to extend our knowledge of solar
physics and it's relation to meteoro-
logical science
There are many other duties con-
rected with the work of the weather
bureau not readily adapted to an ar
ticle of this character, and which lack
of space forbids discussing at length.
When not engaged in observation work
and the distribution of weather infor-
nation, the office force is busily en-
saged in answering calls for special
data, etc, tabulating meteorological
I henomena for record. and attending to
the many requests for climatic infor-
nation daily received by mail and tele
phone, such requests being especially
numerous in the Los Angeles office;
Gata effecting health and business in
terests being greatly in demand.