Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-16
The Naval Observatory.

Inc preventive power or governmental
inertia Is unmistakably in evidence in
many of the public institutions of this
country. Conditions are permitted to re-
main unchanged long after the necessity
for their continuance has passed and new
needs arise suggestive Of the wisdom of
amendment. Unlike the English system
as the American government is in most
respects, it is strikingly similar in regard
to the failure to recognize the passing Of
time and the change of conditions.
An impressive example OF governmental
or, rather, legislative, inertia occurs in
the case of the Naval Observatory. to
which President Taft refers in his annual
message in terms Of an urgent proposition
OF administrative change. Originally this
institution was designed as an adjunct to
the naval establishment to supply the
astronomical charts required in naviga-
ton under the old methods of seaman
ship. But gradually 1t changed in its
character, taking on the aspect Of a great
national astronomical establishment, in
cidentally supplying the needs Of the
navy. but devoted chiefly to researches
wholly apart from any nautical uses. De-
spite the evolution due in large part to
the perfection Of instruments Of precision
in the navigation Of ships, and to the
complete charting Of the heavens and the
working out Of all necessary scientific
facts by other bureaus of the government,
no change was effected in the Organiza-
ton Of the observatory. and thus the IL
logical system has been continued of de-
failing a naval officer as superintendent
for limited term, regardless Of any spe-
cinc fitness he may possess for such an
assignment.
|. In another part Of The Star today is
printed statement Of this situation, from
the standpoint Of the scientists who have
long been urging a change in the official
designation Of the Naval Observatory to
the end of making 1t a truly scientific es-
Establishment, headed by an astronomer of
of the President. He asks Congress to
correct the condition and to establish the
scientific plane.
where today the words uttered about the
tronomer royal of England and the OK
ford professor of astronomy, after a tour
of inspection, are reproduced, to this eff
feet:
"Home fine buildings have been erected
and many excellent instruments are all
ready for use. The system Of appointing
as dire a naval officer whose knowl-
edge of astronomy is limited by nautical
requirements and changing him every few
years is still in force.
1T will perhaps be kinder not to say
more Of this national observatory until
this system is altered"
Washington is rapidly becoming scien-
tifc center. The Smithsonian Institution
is internationally rated as an establish
men. of the highest rank. The Carnegie
Institution, just in possession of its new
home, is prosecuting researches of uni
versaI value. Various technical and scien-
tifc branches of the government are at
work upon highly important lines Of duty
and experimentation. At the present rate
OF progress in another decade the Ameri-
can capital will be recognized as the scene
Of work of world significance. With the
equipment provided at the Naval Observa-
tory a suitable organization. headed by an
astronomer of renown. without limit of
term. will speedily become famous as not
only the best from a physical point of
| view. but the most valuable in it's re-
suits.