REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 107 



labors seemed quite justified by their probable outcome. Accord- 

 ingly, in a report to the American representatives of the Interna- 

 tional Astronomical Union he wrote as follows : 



It is the intention of tlie Smithsonian Institution to continue daily observa- 

 tions at Mount Harqua Hala and Montezuma certainly until July, 1923, at 

 which time it is proposed to consider the state of the work and the results 

 reached with a view to deciding whether it is worth while to continue daily 

 observations of the variability of the sun indefinitely or whether the useful- 

 ness of that work is unequal to the trouble and expense involved. 



An expression of opinion on the part of those interested in the subject would 

 be of great value to the Smithsonian Institution in making this decision. 



In their meeting at Washington, April 3 and 4, 1922, the assembled 

 American representatives, including meteorologists, physicists, and 

 astronomers, passed unanimously, after earnest supporting speeches,, 

 the following resolution : 



Solar radiation. — Moved : That it is the sense of the American section of 

 the International Astronomical Union that the continuation of the solar- 

 radiation work under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution in at least 

 two stations is highly desirable, both from an astronomical and a meteorological 

 point of view. Adopted. 



Later, in the Congress at Eome, May 2, 1922, the international 

 representatives indorsed this opinion with equal unanimity and 

 earnestness, passing the following resolution : 



The section of meteorology of the International Geodetic and Geophysical 

 Union records its appreciation of the excellent work done by the Astrophysical 

 Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution of Washington in determining with 

 a high degree of accuracy the intensity of solar radiation outside the eartli's 

 atmosphere. It is of the opinion that the daily values now being obtained 

 at Mount Montezuma, Chile, and Mount Harqua Hala, Ariz., will prove of 

 great value in the solution of certain meteorological problems. It therefore 

 expresses the hope that these determinations may be continued for a consider- 

 able period of years. 



PROPOSED SOLAR RADIATION STATIONS. 



In view of these impartial expert opinions, it is a pleasure to add 

 that Mr. John A. Eoebling has made it possible to assure the con- 

 tinuation of the solar-constant stations at Harqua Hala and Monte- 

 zuma until July, 1925. By that time suJfRcient data will doubtless 

 be secured to prove whether they ought to be continued longer. 



A movement is being made in Australia, led by Rev. E. F. Pigot, 

 of Riverview College, to provide a solar-constant observing station 

 similar to those maintained by the Smithsonian Institution. Funds 

 have been raised there, and a portion of the apparatus has been 

 purchased from the Institution. Also the Meteorological Service 

 of Argentina is proposing to equip its station at La Quiaca for 

 similar observations, in order the more directly to support the regu- 

 lar weekly long-range forecasts which it bases on solar radiation 



