112 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1926 
Dr. C. G. Abbot, Director of the Astrophysical Observatory of the Smith- 
sonian Institution, several years ago made the notable discovery that the 
intensity of the heat received by the earth from the sun varies in remarkable 
extent and manner. Through the last two years, beginning with February, 
1922, the sun’s heat radiations to the earth have been continuously subnormal. 
The consequences of this deficiency in heat received can not be predicted at 
this time, but the general subject is undoubtedly one of great importance. We 
regard it as a national duty and a national opportunity that the observations 
be continued for a long time to come, and certainly through two complete sun- 
spot cycles of 11 years each. 
The principal stations for securing these observations have been located 
at points noted for their pure skies and their very great number of clear days 
in the year: At Mount Harqua Hala in Arizona, in the Northern Hemisphere, 
and at Montezuma in Chile, in the Southern Hemisphere. 
The observing station in Chile has been operating successfully since August, 
1918, but funds are not in sight to continue its activities beyond July, 1925. 
For the reasons briefly stated above, this committee recommends that the 
National Academy of Sciences advise and request the National Government, 
through the Director of the Bureau of the Budget and the Appropriation Com- 
mittees of Congress, to make financial provision for maintaining the Smithso- 
nian Institution’s Observatory in Chile without interruption of service. 
Respectfully submitted, 
GILBERT N. LEWIS, 
R. A. MILLIKAN, 
W. W. CAMPBELL, Chairman. 
Tn transmitting it to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 
President Michelson himself wrote: 
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 
June 5, 1924. 
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Your communication of April 12, 1924, and that of 
the assistant secretary of the Institution in regard to funds for the mainte- 
nance after July, 1925, of the Chilean observatory under the direction of the 
Smithsonian Institution were referred to a special committee of the National 
Academy of Sciences, and I am inclosing, for your information and such use 
as you may desire to make of it, a copy of the report presented by that commit- 
tee and approved by the academy. 
It will be noted that this report recommends that the National Academy of 
Sciences “advise and request the National Government, through the Director 
of the Bureau of the Budget and the Appropriation Committees of Congress, to 
make financial provision for maintaining the Smithsonian Institution’s observ- 
atory in Chile without interruption of service.’ Assuming that the Smith- 
sonian Institution will communicate direct with the Bureau of the Budget, the 
academy will take no further action unless you find that it can serve you fur- 
ther in the matter. 
The value of knowing the variations in heat available from solar radia- 
tion to the earth can not be overestimated. I am glad that the academy has 
been given this opportunity to aid in your efforts to secure funds from Congress 
for the purpose, and hope that your efforts in this direction will be successful. 
Very respectfully yours, 
A. A. MicHetson, President. 
Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT, 
Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, 
Washington, D. C. 
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