The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-01
STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY CIVILIAN CONTROL

observatory became an accomplished fact.
President Adams was keen regarding
the project OF establishing a great OBJ
servatory at Washington and recommend
ed It In his message 10 Congress in 1925.
but II was not until 1912 that Congress
appropriated the modest sum Of 81. 900 for
this purpose. which masqueraded in the
bill as a house" to be used as a depot
for the instruments and charts belonging
10 the navy, hence the naval control of
what should have been from the first
national institution under civil direction.
But to the devoted and philosophical
scientists, who were officers Of the navy.
to Gilliss and to N1aury. the Observatory
owes its existence The slender sum ap-
propriated was dispensed by their faith
full hands and wise heads. and thus was
started what was 10 become one OF the
most beautiful and best equipped observa-
tories in the world. even II it has not
kept pace in its astronomical work with
its sister institutions
SuperVfses the building.
As soon as Congress appropriated the
money for the house" for the charts and
instruments of the navy Lieut. GiIiss
was sent abroad TO consult astronomers
on the other side and TO make plans for
the building. which was erected and
equipped under his supervision This
work finished. Gilliss was relieved by
Lieut.. Maury, who was the first superin-
tendent OF the Observatory, the first and
one Of the most capable and inspiring.
Maury was born scientist, for, as he
himself confessed, when he was first as
signed to the Observatory he was entirely
without experience I'm the use Of astro-
nomical instruments. but he soon mas
tered them. and showed an energy, devo-
ton, and capacity that argued well for
/ tho future OF the infant institution. He
resigned, however. 10 cast his lot with
the Confederacy before he had put in
operation the plans he had formed. and
lGilliss stepped into his shoes.
Just here the work of the Observatory
was interrupted. or II not interrupted.
was carried on In a half-hearted way. by
the civil war. It was impossible at that
time 10 get the necessary equipment. The
personnel was insufficient because Of the
iN'u VI NiOSe OAlCtIS WHO might nave
been available for service on the battle
ships, and had il not been for Lieut. Gil
liss it is impossible 10 predict what would
have been the fate Of the Observatory.
At this time he appointed four civilian
aids. which act marked the beginning Of
the corps Of assistant astronomers still
maintained.
Prof. Asaph Hall, the discoverer Of the
satellites Of Mars was the first aid ap-
pointed. Prof NewcOmb was wont TO tell
with some amusement, and he has writ
ten in his "reminiscences. the circum-
stances Of the appointment One Of the
requirements for these aids was that they
should have good social positions Now.
the salary Of these aids was fixed at s. 900
a year Obviously a married man could
not maintain social position on such a
meager sum, and Hall was a married
man with a constantly increasing family.
but this objection on the part Of the su-
perintendent was finally overcome and
the man who became one Of the most
: noted astronomers Of his day was added
to the force
Lieut.. Glliss died in 1860 az the very
zenith Of HIS career and was succeeded