WEATHER BUREAU. 55 



The increased importance of coastal communication to the opera- 

 tions of the Government is fully recognized, and every effort has been 

 made to maintain the lines in the charge of the Weather Bureau in an 

 efficient condition of repair and operation. As maintenance expendi- 

 tures on these lines have been maintained at the minimum in former 

 years, rather extensive repairs have been necessary in some instances. 

 Nevertheless, a careful accounting of revenue and repair cost still 

 shows a small balance in receipts over costs of repairs amounting to 

 $287.83 on an income of $5,654. 



FORECASTS AND WARNINGS. 



DISTRIBUTION OF WEATHER FORECASTS. 



The distribution of weather forecasts has been continued along 

 the same lines as in former years and by the same methods, i. e., by 

 telegraph, by telephone, by mail, and by wireless. The daily fore- 

 casts are available by telephone to more than 5,000,000 subscribers, 

 and by mail to more than 100,000 addresses. Distribution by wireless 

 has been somewhat extended during the year. By this means the 

 forecasts for nine States are distributed from four points. Those 

 for North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota are broadcasted 

 from University (Grand Forks, N. Dak.) ; for Illinois, from Spring- 

 field, 111.; for Ohio, from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; 

 for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, from the United States 

 Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, 111. These forecast messages 

 are received at about 270 amateur radio stations. A further exten- 

 sion of the distribution may be expected through the issue of fore- 

 cast cards by the wireless operators. This feature of the matter has 

 been given consideration, but the results are not yet determined. 



SPECIAL FORECASTS. 



Special forecasts for the benefit of the alfalfa crop during the 

 harvesting season were inaugurated, and in order to meet the needs 

 of these interests forecasters were authorized to extend the period 

 covered by the forecasts beyond the regular 36 and 48 hour periods 

 provided for in instructions. 



WEEKLY FORECASTS. 



The day of issue of the weekly forecasts was changed from Tues- 

 day to Saturday, so that at present these forecasts cover the ensuing 

 calendar week. 



NIGHT FORECASTS. 



The issue of night forecasts was begun at the New Orleans, La., 

 forecast district center. Both night and morning forecasts for the 

 respective districts are now issued at each district center. 



EXTENSION OF THE METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE IN THE WEST INDIES. 



Arrangements are being made for the extension of the meteorolog- 

 ical service in the West Indies, the Caribbean Sea, and the Panama 

 Canal, in order to make more efficient the issue of storm advices for 

 the southern waters of the United States. 



