Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-26

observations were taken. Six large
centers for the distribution of these
cards eXist-at Chicago, New orleans.
Denver, san Francisco, Portland and
Washington. Forecasts are sent from
these points by mail, telephone or telc-
graph.
The use OF the telephone in issuing
forecasts makes it possible to reach
large number of people who otherwise
would not get the Information in time
to be eff any use. Several methods are
used In rural communities, for in
stance, at a stated time central con-
meets as many phones as possible and
then gives what has come 10 be known
as the weather forecast ring. Those
who are DESTROYS of knowing the pro-
babIe condition merely take down
their receiver, and central. at one time,
tells them all. On long distance lines
central is told the forecast in order to
give it to those asking, thus iessening
long distance calls. In some parts of
the still almost 'unciVilized' west the
telephone wires are not noticeable, as
the wire fences have been insulated
and used, thus serving two purposes.
Maps are sent out by about 100 fore
cast stations as well as from the six
forecast centers. Those issued from
the latter points are general, while the
station maps are local.
The methods used by the weather
bureau in the distribution OF the fore
casts show a close study of human ma
ture. In small towns, for example,
where the inhabitants are accustomed
to foregather at some central point,
flag system is used in giving the fore
casts. \ white dag denotes fair wealth
er; blue, rain, or SNOW; half white and
half blue, local rain or snow, station
airy temperature. The temperature flag
is black, and as it is flown above or
below another flag denotes Il rise or
fall in temperature The cold wave
flag is white with a black center. In
large cities this same method iii
modified form is employed. Instead
of the flags kiosks are placed as points
where the traffic is heavy. In agricul-
tural oenters q cold wave is predicted
by blowing a whistle three short blasts.
Other conditions are also given by
whistle code familiar to the farmers.
All these are methods used in dis
tributing forecasts taken in the morn
ing. Evening forecasts taken at the
washington, Il
land offices. and from these the news
papers get the reports contained IN
the morning editions. Weather maps
used by the papers are also made up
in the evening
An economic value is at least sup
posed to attach to all enterprises OF
character such as this, and this is true
of the weather bureau. The real value,
however, is not gained from the ofdl-
nary run of forecasts. such as those
issued in large cities. They have a Vai-
ue, in that for example they indicate
to milady whether or not she can FISK
wearing a handsome evening gown
without fear of getting a wetting. But
the real Importance of this work hes
in saving the agricultural crops or
the country and the shipping interests.
work which in the heart Of a big city
is scarcely realized.
The 200 regular stations. each repre-
senting about 2,100 square miles OF ter
ritory, furnish complete data. In ad-
dition, however observations are taken
% intermediate points to insure the
perfect study of the climate of the
country. This study, in fact, has De
come so important that special
branch has been established, Known as
the china tological service This service
is divided into forty-odd sections, each
section covering, as rule, q single
state, and having as its center a regu-
lar observing station Temperature
and rainfall observations arc secured
from more than $500 cooperative sta
tons while in the crop growing sea
son. April to September each section
also receives weekly mail report from
numerous correspondents giving the
weather conditions. During the crop
growing season the Office here also is
sues each week the National Weather
Bulletin a paper containing series
of charts illustrating current and nor
NAL conditions of temperature ana
rainfall for the entire country. during
the winter this Office also issues what
is called the "Snow and Ice Bulletin,
which shows the area covered by snow,
its depth and the thickness of the ice
in the rivers. This is of particular
value in regions in which winter wheat
is grown In regions where cotton,
corn, wheat, sugar and rice are grown,
designated centers receive telegraphic
renorts of rainfall and the daily eX-
trene temperature for publication In
bulletin form. Storm WaTninSs are DIS
played at nearly 300 points along the
Atlantic Pacific end gulf coasts anu
the shores of the great lakes, fnelud-
ing every port and barber Of any con-
siderable importance, and so nearly
perfect has this service become ethat
scarcely q. storm of marked danger to
maritime interests has occurred Tor
years for which ample warnings have
not been issued from twelve to twenty
four hours in advance.
Willis l.. Moore, chief Of the wealth
or bureau, has for some time been en-
deavoring to increase this ocean SER
vice 1t is his idea to have all vessels
in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and
Gulf of Mexico, including those in our
navy, take observations twice q day.
These, according to his plan, will be
sent by wireless either to the nearest
shore station or ship, which in the
second event will be relayed to the
shore point. Ships too far out to send
to American points will send to Eng
land Once received at the shore sta
lions forecasts similar to those already