The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-23
Violence to Naval Observatory.

The Naval Observatory in Washington
is evidently destined to emerge from its
status as branch Of the Navy Depart
ment into full-aedged national institu-
ton, under a man Of science" instead
of line officer Of the navy For many
years this observatory has been a part OF
the Bureau OF Equipment itself marked
for extinction under the approved plan of
the reorganization OF the Navy DEPART
ment recommended by Secretary Meyer.
The President in his annual message
urged that the Naval Observatory should
be under civilian control, evidently re-
garding the practice Of detailing a line
officer Of the navy to duty as superin-
tendent as constituting a fgure-head.
The House Naval Committee has favor
ably reported the bill which creates the
office Of director. who shall be an as
tronomer Of renown. without limit Of
term, so as to make it possible for the
observatory to furnish TO the world the
discoveries in astronomy that great as
rrononer using such a plant would be
likely 20 make" The report Of the
committee on this radical change con-
tains the following passage:
Originally this institution was called
merely a depot of charts and instru-
ments for the navy and was designed
as an adjunct TO the naval establishment
to supply the astronomical charts requir-
ed IN navigation under the old methods
OF seamanshib. Then, for a time il was
called the National Observatory and
gradually it changed In its character. TAX
ing on the aspect OF a great national as
Economical establishment. incidentally,
supplying the needs OF the navy hut
devoted chiefly to researches wholly apart
from any nautical uses. Finally. il long
ago took the name Of Naval Observ-
atory, though at the same period II en-
tirely outgrew naval necessities. and in
the number and size Of its instruments II
became tho equal Of the great national
observatories Of the world
Notwithstanding the evolution due in
large part TO the perfection of instru-
ments OF precision in the navigation of
ships and to the complete charting Of the
heavens and the working out of all neces-
sary scientific facts by other bureaus OF
in the organization OF the observatory.
This bill is designed to correct the pres-
snt illogical system OF detailing the naval
officer as superintendent for a limited
term. and IN its stead place in charge Of
this institution an eminent astronomer
as director"
These are parlous times. indeed, for the
navy. The Bureau OF Equipment will be
abolished; tho Bureau of Construction
and Repair is to have large part Of its
functions and responsibilities curtailed;
the Photographic ONCE is TO have but
one naval officer, instead Of FIVE naval Of
1eers. on duty therein, according to a
provision inserted in the legislative bill
by Representative Tawney; and now the
Naval Observatory is to pass over to
civilian control, although nominally re-
manning under the Navy Department.
This latter development represents the
passing OF an important billet, since the
detail to duty as superintendent of the
Naval Observatory has been one of the
most attractive positions to which the
line officer can be assigned. In his place
there viii be q $500 scientist, substitu-
ton which must be regarded as indlcat-
ing Congressional suspicion that the line