Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-08

several other things and all is ready
for you.
If you have not spent years and
years in the study of the stars. you
had better not dispute what he says.
for he knows stars backward and
forward, can call them by their first
names, and when he spenks of one
he does it with a fondness that re-
veals the spirit of the true as
tronomer.
1t is not for q layman 10 undertake
TO describe the sights that are to be
seen in the heavens above. 1t takes
an expert of years OF training TO be-
gin to be able to do that. You leave
the domed structure with new feel
ing Of reverence for the things that
of the finite mind.
Much has been written about the
station ar Bordeaux. France and the
fact that II can get Washington as
we'll as this city can get it, The sta
ton on the other side of the pond was
designed and built during the late war
by the men of the United States Navy
This not only shows the character of
the work that has been and is being
done by the Navy, but it also en-
phasizes the need of having the OBJ
servatory under the direct control OF
our naval forces in times of war and
peace. Without this control the Navy
would be placed at a great disadvan-
| tage. and it would mean that ulti-
mately the Navy would have TO be
provided with a separate observa-
tory. necessitating great expenditures
to say nothing Of loss of time and
training.
The average OF error during the
last fiscal year was less than 03 sec
ond, a rather accurate performance.
1t may be stated without violating
confidence that several other nations
have asked for complete descrip-
ton Of the manner in which the OBJ
servatory is equipped and how the
work is done-a handsome tribute to
our Navy
The American Ephemeris and Nauti-
cal Almanac and the Nautical Alma
nae require that the greatest care be
exercised in the preparation OF these
works, which are indispensable to the
mariner. The continuous main
tenance OF observations is absolutely
essential, as upon the correctness OF
| these works depend the life and safe
ty of both men and ships. One must
not overlook the development, sup
ply. upkeep and inspection of all navi-
gational instruments and equipment
! for the Navy. Incidentally the naval
observatory has done this for the
United States Shipping Board also.
and has established standards for the
merchant marine Of the country.
The Naval Observatory started the
development of the photographic Of
flee; made the first systematic ma
neurological and magnetic observa
lions at the capital, and has fostered
the development of those instruments
necessary for the navigation Of sub
marines and aircraft. The American
office furnishes other nations with
| elements derived here.
T<O insure that the astronomical part
i Of the Observatory's work shall be
kept in practical relation to the needs
! of naNgators and not drift into the
. research work of pure science, so
tempting to astronomers. 1t is con-
sidered important that the direction
of the Observatory remain under the
Navy Department. In the educated
personnel of the naval service are
provided judges Of the sufficiency Of
this work for navigation needs. both
naval and merchant marine. The re-
pair and development of nayigauonal