78 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DKPARTMKNT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the year except from July 17 to 25, (luriii<>: which period an interrup- 

 tion of six days occurred. About 1,000 messages were transmitted to 

 and from Mount Tamalpais. The weather reports from this point 

 are of fjreat benefit to the service. 



NORTH HEAD-PORTLAND (GREG.) SECTION. 



[Telegraph.] 



No extensive changes or repairs were made durinp; the year, the 

 cost for ordinary re[)airs being but $9. 



As detailed in the last report the Weather Bureau is permitted by 

 the War Department the use of a conductor in the military cable 

 between Fort Canb}^ and Fort Stevens, the cable formerly owned 

 and operated by the AVeather Bureau between these points having 

 been abandoned because of further unserviceability. During June 

 the War Department laid a new section of cable for a part of the dis- 

 tance between Fort Canby and Fort Columbia, Much improvement 

 in transmission has been noted. Use of the military cable is subject 

 to recall at any time. Permanency of continuance of communica- 

 tion b}'^ wire between Portland and North Head, vital to Weather 

 Bureau interests in that section, can be secured only by the laying of 

 a new cable either by the Weather Bureau or by another agency which 

 would assure preservation of Weather Bureau interests. 



A new cable and necessary land lines would cost approximately 

 $25,000 to $30,000 at this time. 



TATOOSH ISLAND-PORT ANGELES (WASH.) SECTION. 

 [Telegraph.] 



Length, about 90 miles. Extensive logging operations along a 

 considerable portion of this line continued throughout the year as 

 for several years previous, causing numerous interruptions by 

 breaks and groundings. The number was augmented by results of 

 road building, storms, and falling timber. Communication was thus 

 interrupted for a total of 17 days, 88 breaks having occurred. 



The span wire between Tatoosh Island and the mainland parted 

 on July 10, resulting in an interruption of three days and four hours. 

 A new span wire will be strung this autumn, because of faulty char- 

 acter of present span due to rust. 



Seven hundred and fifty dollars was expended during the year for 

 ordinary and general repairs. Much of this amount was expended 

 for labor, the cost of which has about doubled in the last few years. 

 About 15,000 commercial messages were handled, resulting in Gov- 

 ernment tolls of about $2,400. In addition over 3,000 free Govern- 

 ment messages were transmitted and about 1,500 long-distance tele- 

 phone calls passed over the line. 



Various alterations were made in the route of the line made neces- 

 sary by town improvements, by removal from swamps, menacing 

 forest conditions, and changing of county roadbed. Similar changes 

 are contem]")lated during this year in order to improve general con- 

 ditions. The line continues to be of substantial benefit to logging 

 companies and the shipping, fishing, and commercial interests. 



Regular tri-daily and special vessel reports are a special feature 

 of the work of the stations along the line and are highly regarded by 

 the interests served. 



