Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-01-29

Passing Of Wartime Conditions
Finds the Bureau UP Against Prob
lens More Serious Than Difficulties
Imposed by War-P:ans to Make
Serbia Useful In Aeronautics-Val-
We In Military Operations Demon.
strated In Late War.
With the close of the fiscal year and
the passing of war conditions the
weather bu eau of the United States
department Of agriculture finds itself
ace to face with postwar conditions
,f more serious character even than
he difficulties imposed by the war.
avs the annual report of the chief OF
the bureau, an extract of which Is
given below.
Appiied meteorOlogy as never before
in history has come 10 be recognized
Ms highly important factor and guide
in the conduct Of almost every activ-
ity of any consequence of the nation
Never before in any previous war ana
the science of meteOrOlogy play any
important part or have place In the
program of military and naval organ
izations and operations. Now II Is
egarded as Indispensable and Is des'
tined to become a permanent feature
of each arm of the service.
Created in 1870 sas a part of the
signal corps of the United States army
by a Joint resolution Of congress ITO
provide for taking meteorological oh
servations at the military stations In
the interior of the continent and at
other points In the states and terri
tories of the United States and for
giving notice on the northern lakes
and on the seacoast. by magnetic tel
egraph and marine signals. of the ap-
proach and force of storms" its net
work of stations soon embraced the
entire United States.
Designation Changed.
Subsequently the designation or the
service was changed to the weather
bureau. which by act Of congress ap-
proved October l, 1890. was trans
ferred from the war department to
the department of agriculture and its
functions extended to cover the en-
tire domain of meteorology, including
the duty Of preparation and issue OF
forecasts and warnings of weather,
storms, cold waves. heavy SHOWS.
foods. and the stages Of rivers. all In
the interest OF commerce, agriculture.
and navigation.
At present II maintains over two
hundred fully equipped meteorological
stations. and about 1.400 substations
classified as special meteorological.
river, stormwarning. hurricane. ma
rine, cotton region. commandment
region, fruit, cranberry. and fire.
weather warning stations. In adj
dition to these the bureau maintains.
in connection with Its climatological
work. about 4,500 stations known as
cooperative stations. the equipment
being furnished by the bureau and
the observations being taken by pub
lic-spirited citizens who render gratu-
itous service. Its cooperative work
extends to practically every ocean Of
the globe, and the masters OF many
vessels (the number was greatly re-
1uced by the war, but Is now on the
increase) fill out forms of daily mete-
geological observations on every vOy-
age, to be forwarded on arrival In
port. Before the war daily obServa-
tions received by cable and otherwise
from selected stations over the entire
Enorthern hemisphere were collected
r and published. Negotiations TO re-
store this exchange are under way.
highly trained. efficient. and expert
enced personnel of over 800 commits
stoned employees, helped by about l.
400 who receive small compensation
for the regular performance Of spe-
| cific duties. conducts the work of the
bureau. and in addition the marine
and cooperative observers constitute
| host of nearly 5000 public-spirited
individuals who serve gratuitously.
Such. In brief, Is the machinery and
organization of the weather bureau.
its Greatest Value.
While the bureau is best known to
, the public through the issue of its
daily forecasts. maps. and bulletins.
no doubt its greatest value In an eco
nomic sense consists in the immense
saving effected by It's special warn
ings. as of storms and hurricanes for
the benefit of marine interests. warn
! ings of floods that occur on the prin-
cipal rivers, warnings of cold waves
which accomplish protection to prop
erty and foodstuffs liable to damage
| by injuriously low temperatures, and
warnings of frost and freezing wealth
er for the benefit of the fruit. sugar
tobacco. cranberry, market gardening
and other interests.
Its duties and authorities by law
are broad and comprehensive, and
postwar conditions bring It new and
important obligations and responsible
tiles With the experience and ira
ditions of nearly fifty years TO Its
credit, the bureau Is in position tC
render practically every SERVICE Of q
meteorological nature which may hi
required Of such an agency.
A few only of the postwar prob
lens and demands in the administra
ton of tho affairs Of the weather bu
reau are mentioned here.
MeteeroIooy and Aerorauties.
From phenomenal development
under the stimulus of war necessities