[EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR 1891.]

"NAVAL OBSERVATORY.

"The work on the new Naval Observatory has advanced so far that the transfer from the old to the new site will shortly be undertaken. The failure of the contractors has delayed the work of the new building, now in its final stage, but the Government is amply protected, and arrangements are now making under the provisions of the contract by which its early completion may be assured.

"When the transfer and installation of the instruments are completed, the Government will be in possession of one of the most admirably equipped observatories in the world. The question of the proper administration of this important charge, representing one of the most important branches of scientific investigation undertaken by the Government, is one that demands early attention. The system in existence hitherto, by which the selection of the Superintendent has been confined to line officers of the Navy, subject like other officers to changes of duty at comparatively short intervals, prevents that continuity of administration which is essential in carrying on the work of a great national observatory. No programme of scientific investigation, especially in the department of astronomy, can be carried out successfully by any institution, if liable to frequent interruptions by a change of its administrative head.

"I therefore recommend the adoption of legislation which shall enable the President to appoint, at a sufficient salary, without restriction, from persons either within or outside of the naval service, the ablest and most accomplished astronomer who can be found for the position of Superintendent.

"I would also recommend, in view of the era of progress and scientific development upon which the Observatory is now entering, that an advisory council be organized, composed of the Superintendent of the Observatory and its senior professor, and of three other persons of scientific attainments, whose duty it shall be to consider and report upon new instruments and their proper installation; to draw up, with such changes as may be necessary, from time to time, the programme of scientific work, including observation, reduction, and publication, and to make such inspections and reports as may be desirable in regard to the character of the work done by the Observatory."

[OVER]

# A MEMORIAL.

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Your petitioners respectfully call attention to the question of the future administration of the New Naval Observatory—brought to official notice by the Honorable Secretary of the Navy in his current annual report—as one entitled to your careful consideration. The buildings for this establishment are now being completed on a scale and at an expense which, we believe, have never been equalled in the case of any national institution devoted to celestial research. The magnitude of the appropriations made by four successive Congresses for this purpose clearly expresses the popular will that the Astronomical Observatory of the nation should be second to none in the value and interest of its work.

We, therefore, respectfully set forth the fact that buildings and instruments are not the chief conditions of success. A well considered plan of work, pursued with zeal under competent scientific direction, is absolutely essential. A body of the ablest astronomers, thrown together without adequate guidance, without any problem to solve, and without a concerted plan of work, can no more achieve success than an army can march and fight without a general. All experience shows that the success or failure of a scientific as of a business institution depends upon its directing head.

By the labors of many generations of investigators, astronomy has now become a science of such extent that those only who make its cultivation the principal business of their lives can keep pace with its progress, and decide how the energies of a corps of astronomers should be directed.

The proper administration of the Observatory now being completed, therefore, requires that its direction be placed in the hands of a practical astronomer, and we respectfully ask for such legislation as will secure this end.

52D CONGRESS,
1ST SESSION.

H. R. 3996.

Senate 1703 - Introduced by Mr. Marrill, Jan 19, 1892.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

JANUARY 18, 1892.

Read twice, referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. TRACEY introduced the following bill:

A BILL

To provide a more perfect organization for the United States Naval Observatory, and for other purposes.

1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

2. That the United States Naval Observatory at Washington shall hereafter be known as the United States National Observatory, and shall remain attached to the Navy Department and under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy. The said United States National Observatory shall be placed under the superintendence of a practical astronomer of eminent abilities and professional experience, who shall be styled the Director of the United States National Observatory. The said director shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and he shall receive a compensation for his services of five thousand dollars per annum.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

1. SEC. 2. That the President is hereby further authorized

2

2 to appoint a chief assistant, who shall be an astronomer practically experienced in the art of astronomical observations and

3 calculations, and shall perform such duties as may be assigned

4 to him by the aforesaid director of the United States National

5 Observatory; and the said chief assistant shall receive as compensation for his services a salary of three thousand six hundred dollars per annum. During a temporary vacancy in the

6 office of director the said chief assistant may act as director.

7

8

9

1 SEC. 3. That there shall be a board of visitors of the United

2 States National Observatory, to consist of the director and

3 chief assistant of the Observatory, as hereinbefore provided,

4 together with three additional persons of scientific attainments

5 and not otherwise in the employ of the Government, who shall

6 be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy. It shall be the

7 duty of the board of visitors to consider and report to the

8 Navy Department upon new instruments and their proper installation; to draw up, with such changes as may be necessary, from time to time, the programme of scientific work,

9

10 including observation, reduction, and publication, and to

11 make inspections and reports upon the character of the work

12 done by the Observatory at such time or times as the Secretary

13 of the Navy may prescribe. The said three additional and

14 advisory members of the board of visitors shall hold office

15 during the fiscal year for which they are appointed, or until

16 their successors shall qualify; they shall be paid no salary for

17

3

18 their services, but each of them shall receive compensation
19 for actual traveling expenses and an allowance not exceeding
20 ten dollars in lieu of quarters, subsistence, and all personal ex-
21 penses for each day while on duty away from his customary
22 place of residence upon the request of the Secretary of the
23 Navy, said sums to be paid out of the appropriation for the
24 United States National Observatory.

1 SEC. 4. That the Secretary of the Navy is hereby au-
2 thorized, whenever he may deem it for the best interests of
3 the public service, to assign to the order of the director of
4 the United States National Observatory members of the corps
5 of professors of mathematics of the United States Navy who are
6 practical astronomers of skill and experience: Provided, That
7 the number of professors so assigned shall not exceed four at
8 any one time, and that no such assignments shall be made
9 from persons who may hereafter be appointed to the said corps
10 of professors of mathematics of the United States Navy.

( Copy )

( Personal )

New Haven, Conn., February 26, 1892.

Dear Prof. Boss, -

I duly received your letter of the 21st inst., and
reply at my earliest convenience, as I see you misunderstand my position in
regard to the matter in which you are so much interested.

I approve fully of the proposed change in the management of the Naval
Observatory, and hope it will soon be accomplished. I did not sign the
Yale petition for the best of reasons, namely, because, as president of the
National Academy, I must remain in a perfectly judicial position, especially
as I have been told that the Government may submit the question to the Acad-
emy, and I should then have to appoint a committee to consider it. To have
publicly placed myself on record on one side of any question submitted by
the Government to the Academy, as its scientific adviser, would be certainly
very unwise, and would place the Academy in a false light. I have taken
the same ground while I have been president, and I am sure you will see the
wisdom of this course, both in the present and all similar cases.

I am surprised at what you say about the Geological Survey and the com-
mittee on naval affairs, and I should be glad to know more on this point.

Prof. Lewis Boss.