With what facts / justification / data is the GISS reducing measuremet temperatures prior to the 1970’s? Climate Audit has more. Whatever the justification, the adjustments are increasing station temperatures by as much as 3C, a signal correction that is far in excess of the signal (0.6 degrees C or so of warming).
More on adjustments here and signal to noise ratio in temperature measurement here.
Perhaps, it will be a moot point soon:
http://www.dailytech.com/Temperature+Monitors+Report+Worldwide+Global+Cooling/article10866.htm