54 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Cooperative stations, 113, a decrease of 4 during the year. 



Weather bureau stations displaying storm warnings, 60, the same 

 as last year. 



A system consisting of three lights in a vertical line to signal by 

 night the same information concerning storms now furnished by 

 day has been installed on the Great Lakes, only 3 stations remaining 

 to be completed. In connection with this work new electric lamps 

 of increased brightness and a standardized system of wiring in con- 

 duit have been installed. Stations on the Great Lakes equipped 

 with oil-burning lanterns have had a third lantern furnished, to- 

 gether with necessary means of display. Other improvements have 

 consisted in the removal of towers to more favorable locations and 

 the erection of new steel towers in a number of cases, with the object 

 of placing the storm- warning equipment on the Great Lakes in first- 

 class condition throughout. 



TELEGRAPH SERVICE. 



The commercial telegraph companies have continued their hearty 

 cooperation with the bureau in maintaining service. Complaints 

 of delays have generally received prompt and effective attention, 

 with satisfactory results. Reports over all circuits are often sent 

 and received and the circuits closed by 9 a. mi, one hour after taking 

 observations. 



The contract for special operators' services employed at various 

 Weather Bureau stations was found to be inconsistent as to the 

 amount charged. A reorganization was effected in this feature of 

 our work and will result in a decrease in cost of nearly $900 per 

 annum. 



A further revision of several circuits was undertaken and put into 

 operation May 1, 1916, by which a saving of over $2,000 per annum 

 will be effected, in addition to increasing the number of reports to 

 several stations. Another revision of certain circuits during June 

 will also effect a saving of over $300 per annum and still give much- 

 desired evening reports to certain stations. 



WEATHER BUREAU SEACOAST TELEGRAPH AND CABLE LINES. 



In all cases these are lines connecting outlying points of im- 

 portance from a meteorological point of view with which no other 

 means of communication are available for the transmission of re- 

 ports. While these lines are maintained and owned by the Weather 

 Bureau distinctly for its meteorological work, they nevertheless 

 have come to carry a considerable amount of commercial business 

 which brings in a small revenue. Lines are maintained in the 

 following sections: 



Block Island-Narragansett. 



Mount Weather-Bluemont. 



Norfolk-Hatteras. 



Key West-Sand Key. 



Glen Haven-South and North Manitou Island. 



Alpena-Middle Island-Thunder Bay Island. 



Grand Marais-Whitefish Point. 



Beaver Island. 



Tatoosh-Port Angeles. 



North Head. 



San Franeisco-Point Reyes. 



