Evening star., 1940-11-15
Cornerstone Laid
For New Weather
Bureau as Rain Ends
Sun Even Breoks Through
Clouds as Ceremonies
Get Under Way

Jupiter pluvius had the onscial
gratitude of the United States
Weather Bureau today as Wash
ington's weeping skies cleared just
in time for the placing Of the corner
stone of the new Weather Bureau
Building at Twenty-fourth and M
streets NV.
Undersecretary of Com merce
Wayne G. Taylor delivered the prin-
cipal address at the ceremony be.
fore about 300 persons clustered in
front Of the new five-story structure
as scores Of others watched from
the adjacent windows Of the old
building.
Comdr. Francis w. Reichelderfer,
chief Of the Weather Bureau, told
Of the long need for the new build
ing In introducing Mr.. Taylor.
Mr.. Taylor delivered speech pre-
pared by Jesse H. Jones, Secretary
OF Commerce, who was unable to
attend.
The sun shone through a rift in
the clouds just at IL am. and Mr..
Reichelderfer said:
LAS you see, we have had the
full cooperation of Jupiter Pluvius,
God of Rain, who has staged an
unusual demonstration during the
past few days and has called away
his stage effects of rain just in
time"
Traces Development of Bureau.
Mr.. Taylor traced the develop
ment Of the Weather Bureau and
emphasized its Importance to mill
tary as well as civil activities OF
the Nation.
Quarters first were established at
Seventeenth and G streets after
authorization by Congress in 1870,
Mr.. Taylor said, and the equipment
and ofhces were moved to their pres
ent site at Twenty-fourth and M
streets NV. in 1888, into a build
ing which. 1t was said, had been
built to serve as an embassy.
BY 1890. however, 1t was evident
the Weather Bureau was destined
to play more important part in
the civil activities of the country,
he said. In the next few years the
bureau had added to it the meteor
illogical activities of the Signal
Corps and the marine weather
services.
I'm response to demands of the
public for weather information
needed in the conduct of agricul-
ture, business. industry and trans
portation, the Weather Bureau
gained in Importance and extended
its services.
5000 Cooperative Observers.
To-day, with its more than 800
regular field stations and its nearly
5000 cooperative observers who
serve voluntarily and without pay.
this national weather service spreads
over the continental United States,
Its territories and contiguous ocean
traf1lc lanes, one of the largest
meteorological services in the world
The reports and advices which it
publishes are of incalculable value
to every phase of American life"
Mr.. Taylor pointed out that the
science Of meteorology is constantly
called upon to meet new conditions,
and declared:
In these days of highly special
lied military and naval operations,
information of weather is an essen
tial factor in tactical plans and CO.
ordination of various arms of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps. His
tory contains many cases in which
weather was the ally that turned the
tide Of battle.
1.-THE national weather service Is
preparing to take full part in the
national defense program which is
so present in all Of our minds"
Officials Attend.
The ceremonies were attended BY
scores Of Government officials, repre-
sentatives Of the Nations armed
forces, scientists, educators and
heads OF commercial airlines Of the
country.
The new building is expected to
be ready for occupancy early in
1941. 1t will have five stories, cost
about $250,000 and contain Office
facilities for administration, the
station operations division, synoptic
reports and forecast personnel, the
fiscal unit, auditorium for confer
ences and lunchroom for employees.
Mr.. Reichelderfer extended an in
vitation to the guests at the corner
stone placing to visit the forecast
room in the old building at the
conclusion of the ceremony.