114 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1926 
Surely on this matter there can be no two opinions. The fluctuations in the 
amount of radiation emitted by the sun, which you and your collaborators 
have demonstrated, are of such fundamental importance to astronomical, geo- 
physical, and meteorological science that I can not imagine scientific opinion 
resting satisfied unless arrangements are made for observing and recording 
these fluctuations. That we are not able at the moment to apply the knowl- 
edge gained to clearly demonstrated, practical, and economical purposes does 
not weigh at all with scientific opinion. If astronomical research is a fit sub- 
ject for the expenditure of money, the branch of astronomy concerned with 
the variation of solar radiation can not be allowed to suffer for want of funds. 
I realize that this view is open to the attack that if the work is of so much 
importance to the rest of the world why should America be called upon to 
provide all the funds. My only reply is that, in the existing state of the world, 
if America does not supply the funds the work will cease. This is a fact 
and must be recognized as such. 
There is still the question as to the necessity for two stations. Past experi- 
ence affords the best answer to this question. When you first observed the 
large fluctuations they were so contrary to general expectation that they could 
not be credited until they had been confirmed by entirely separate ob- 
servations, taken under largely different climatic conditions. The simultaneous 
observations at Montezuma and Harqua Hala have demonstrated the reality 
of the changes. 
In the future when other changes are investigated, especially the smaller 
day to day changes, the same desire for confirmation will be felt if only one 
station is in operation. I, therefore, think that it will be a great loss to science, 
to civilization itself, if the Montezuma station is closed before another equally 
good station is established to check the observations made in Arizona. 
Yours sincerely, 
G. C. Srmpson. 
Although disallowed by the Bureau of the Budget, the increase 
was favorably acted upon by the Congress. Hence from and after 
July 1, 1925, the salaries and part of the other expenses of Monte- 
zuma Observatory have been carried on the Astrophysical Observa- 
tory appropriation. The costs of maintenance of the solar radiation 
work as a whole are still supplemented to the extent of about $5,000 
per annum from the income of the Hodgkins fund of the endowment 
of the Smithsonian Institution. 
As heretofore the daily solar constant values from Montezuma 
have been received at Washington by cable. Until December 31, 
1925, they were forwarded daily to Mr. H. H. Clayton at Canton, 
Mass., to promote his studies of the dependence of weather on solar 
variation. Beginning January 1, 1926, at the request of the Chief 
of the United States Weather Bureau, the solar constant data have 
been published upon the daily weather map. Also they have been 
furnished to Science Service, and, whenever requested, to the tele- 
graph companies in accordance with the following announcement: 
Beginning January 1, 1926, the Smithsonian Institution will furnish gratis 
through the United States Weather Bureau, through either of the telegraph 
companies, or through the Associated Press, or Science Service, if any or all 
of these organizations shall request it for the use of their clients, daily or 10- 
