Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-22
SCIENTISTS TO FURTHER
WEATHER FORECASTINC
L. S. and Smithsonian Forces Unite
Under DIR. Abbot in Move to Improve
Long-Range Predictions.

public in their sensational claims
These have f1ourished for time, only &c
pass into obScurfty. Neither the claims
nor the theories have been able to SUR
| vive the memorable test of time.
Similarly. from time to time since
the establishment of the Weather Blu
leau in 1871. some such forecaSterS have
tried to advertise themselves and their
views by violent abuse of the Federal
officials for not indorsing their claims
The same thing has happened in Eng
land. France. Germany. Italy and else
where. Instances of such forecasters
operating independently of and i'll con-
fiict with the collective experience and
knowledge of the professional meteo-
rologists are old stories.
Scientific Inquiry Helpful.
I'm contrast to these. another class
of students apply their time and efforts
along sound and accepted scientific
lines to solve the problem of long-rangc
forecaSting by honest and intelligent eff
| fort. Professional meteorologiSts feel
no hostility toward these earnest stu
dents AS a matter of fact. leaders in
this class are to be found both within
and without the great national services,
and cordial friendship and cooperation
prevail between such private and pro-
feSsional workers"
While the Weather Bureau does not
believe that long-range forecaSting is
practicable now. its monthly weather
bulletin carries notable and original
contributions of a progressive character.
dealing with sun spots. solar radiation.
solar and terrestrial correlations. the
laws of sequence of weather condl-
tons, the dependence of present wealth.
er in one part of the globe upon ante
cedent conditions elsewhere. etc.
These topics, 1t is declared. embrace
all the known possibilities upon which
long range forecasting nationally can
be based. The meteorological library of
the Weather Bureau is unique in the
wide scope of its publications. covering
the field Of meteorology and all related
sciences.
The announcement of DR.. Abbot that
the Smithsonian Institution has decided
on broad policy for expanding the ex-
tent Of its scientific researches, with the
hoped-for financial assistance of philan-
thropic Americans. is said to be indica-
tive OF his determination to extend and
accelerate the solar studies already be-
gun under his supervision.
Early Studies Aid Work.
- While the dispatch of the early ex-
petitions to far-away mountain tops
and other natural observatories was
accomplished without much publicity
due, 1t is thought, to the desire TO avoid
public controversies over the long dis
puted problem of long-range forecasts,
the findings of these preliminary expe-
ditions are known to have encouraged
DR.. Abbot and his associates and to
have spurred them to greater undertake
inss in this connection.
Trundling their priceless instruments
and solar radiation measuring devices
by OK cart or other crude means of
transportation to lofty mountain peaks
in darkest Africa, in South America
and in other continents. these self
enacing scientists now are engaged in
measuring the suns heat, photograph
ing sun spots and noting other solar
phenomena in the hope of some day
giving TO the world a startling new
theory for charting weather maps.
Use Delicate instruments.
The delicate instruments they carry
are, in the main, inventions of DR..
Abbot. He devised them for the pur-
pose OF approaching closer to the ulti-
mate goal-long-range forecasting. One
OF the most interesting of these distant
observatories has been established on a
high mountain in the land OF the Hot
tentots. II occupies a natural cave.
which has been transformed into a
combined laboratory and living quarters.
DR.. Abbot. in taking over his new
office as head OF the Smithsonian
predicted that great achievements lie
Just ahead Of the institution.
And the greatest Of these. from the
standpoint OF its importance TO man
kind, quite possibly may be the discov-
cry OF reliable system for forctelling
weeks or months In advance just what
treatment the elements will accord the
eral niihiic