The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-23
W.T.. REED,JR TO
COMMISSION
IN U, S. N AVY
MAY BE NAMED METEoRoLoGIsT
WITH GRADE SENIOR LIEUTEN
ANT FOR SERVICE IN FOREIGN
WATERS.

'" r. Keed, Jr., OF PenSa cola, has
been recommended by Prof. Charles F.
! Marvin, chief of the United States
weather bureau service, as ore eiigi-
BILE for the position Of meteorologist,
with grade of senior lieutenant, in the
| United States navy for assignment to
the organization and charge OF the
meteorological shore service along the
coasts of the British Isles. This is
an honor which is paid the local OBJ
server by his chief only because Of
demonstrated capabilities to perform
this class OF officers Of the navy ami
this class OF officers Of the macy, and
1t speaks volumes for the esteem and
rank which Mr. Reed holds in the
weather bureau service.
Mr.. Reed will accept the appoint
ment in the special service referred to-
and last night communicated with his
chief TO this end. And in acknowl-
edging the offer of appointment he
sent the following to headquarters:
II assure you that l esteem it a
great honor and opportunity I am
also glad of the opportunity to serve
in this way the interests of the TINTED
States and allied nations in this time
Of war and trust that in this charge
I can uphold the dignity of the United
States military service and be a credit
10 the U. ). weather service.
RECEIVES COMMISSION.
William F. Reed, Jr., weather oh
server at Pensacois. for thirteen years
lieutenant in the Navy, and will leave
Pensacola on January tst to take
charge OF the Organization Of mete-
geological shore service along the
coast Of the British Isles
The commission came as a complete
surprise to Mr.. Reed, and was enyire-
ly unsolicited on his part. His ser
vices have long been recognized by
the Weather Bureau as of highest !
excellence. and his ability as a mete- |
rioiogtst coupled with his interest !
and knowledge OF aeronautics made |
him a fit appointee.
While Pensacolians feel gratified at |
this official recognition of Mr.. Reeds |
ability, his departure is regarded as a |
serious loss, for IN leaving, Mr.. Reed /
takes with him his family. Mrs Reed, |
her daughter, Miss Minnie Reed AMI |
Mrs. Recd's former home
Mr. Reed entered the weather bureau
service IN April 1891, as a messenger
boy at the Washington office After
serving In that capacity for eight |
months, he was promoted to assistant
observer and sent to Atlanta. where
he was stationed for 2 1-2 wears
From Atlanta, Mr.. Reed was sent TO
as assistant observer
which position he held for eight years
From Chattanooga he WAS transferred
TO Pensacola where he has remained
since, though he has been promoted
In rank several times since hi. arrival
here.
He is the inventor Of several mete-
orological instruments, all Of which are
In actual nse IN the weather Offices all
over the country. Perhaps the most
useful from a scientific standpoint is
An instrument for measuring the be-
ginning and end Of rain and snow
when the two come nearly together.
Since the opening Of th. aeronautic
station here, Mr.. Reed has taken an
active interest in the science. and has
Zone much individual research work
With his knowledge OF climatic con-
iitfons along the gulf coast, Mr. Reed
has been OF considerable assistance to
The officers IN charge, and has com
piled reports on the average weather
conditions during the months OF the
rear, Illustrated with diagrams made
~ himself. During the past year he
sas also delivered lectures at the sta
ion on drift, cloud formations. and
,ther kindred subjects, OF interest to
he student aviators.