88 CORRESPONDENCE ON ASTRONOMICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. 



with my system, and I bave done it. You are doubtless aware that an 

 organization of observatories bas been effected in Europe, including 

 Greenwicb, Kiel, Vienna, Berlin, Paris, and over tbirty otbers, and tbe 

 organization proposes to use tbe Science Observer Code with transmis- 

 sion of astronomical information. Regarding tbeir arrangements witb 

 eacb otber, or tbeir relations to tbe former system, witb Vienna as a 

 center, I am not informed. Dr. A. Krueger, of Kiel, bas written to me 

 in this matter, desiring tbe necessary publications, &c, and in one of 

 bis letters states: "I wish that you and Mr. Chandler or Ilarvaid Col- 

 lege Observatory would be tbe center for the United States." Tbis let- 

 ter seems to have been followed by a circular of which a c >py has not 

 betn received here, but concerning which very definite information has 

 been received fi om other sources, to the effect that Harvard College 

 Observatory was established as a center for (presumably) the collection 

 and diffusion of discovery announcements in astronomy. 



Tbe letter from which the quotation is made, was dated in Kiel jSTo- 

 vember 11, and tbe circular November 14, hence it is evident that no 

 answer could have been received at Kiel from here. What 1 did reply 

 under date of December 2 was to the effect that under the existing ar- 

 rangements the Smithsonian was deputed to secure and forward to Eu- 

 rope tbe earliest announcements of discoveries, &c, and that so long as 

 these arrangements remained in force it would not be courteous to at- 

 tempt tbe collection of precisely the same data. I wrote that whatever 

 information was received here would be gladly forwarded to Kiel, and 

 that second positions would in all cases be i-ent (as per our present agree- 

 ments with Lord Crawford and Berlin), also elements and ephemerides, 

 if desired. I further stated to him that messages received here would 

 be distributed here as have been all previous ones, viz, by special circu- 

 lar, by telegram, and by Associated Press. And thus the matter rests. 

 I have always felt, as I expressed to you, a desire not to trench upon the 

 grounds of another, but at the same time I have u gone ahead," and 

 trust tbe same will meet your approval. 



I am sincerely yours, 

 J. Eitchie, Jr. 



Letter from the Smithsonian Institution, December 22, 1882, to Mr. J. Ritch ie, 

 jr., of the Science Observer. 



Dear Sir : In reply to your favor of December 15 I may say that I 

 am gratified to learn that your system of astronomical telegraphy 

 has been so successful, and that so many foreign observatories are pre- 

 pared to adopt the " Science Observer Code." 



It has never been the pol cy of this Institution to occupy a position 

 of rivalry in any scientific enterprise, but the moment it appears that 

 any work can be as well or better performed by other agencies, we cheer- 

 fully extend our encouragement to such, and are always ready either to 

 co-operate therewith, or to transfer thereto, tbe special field of activity. 

 I do not doubt that you are well prepared to conduct this important 



