Evening Star Newspaper, January 13, 1935, Page 8

A-8 = SMITHSONIAN ASKS| NEW BUILDINGS 25-Million Program Sought for Expanding Scientific Institution. The Smithsonian Institution, after nearly a century of steady growth and expanding usefulness, has, in the words of Secretary Charles G. Abbot, “outgrown its shell,” and is seeking to institute a $25,000,000 building pro- gram. First established in 1846 by the be- quest of approximately $500,000 from the Englishman, James Smithson, for “the increase and diffusion of knowl- edge among men,” the institution has served as the essential corner stone of the whole vast structure of American ecientific progress. For years at ll time, in fact, its annals have been practically the annals of American science. The Smithsonian Institution is & unique establishment. By the terms of | the Smithson bequest its status is that of a ward of the United States Government, which holds its funds in trust and appoints the Board of Re- gents, who are in direct control of its activities. But is it not a Federal es- tablishment. The Government's con- nection with it is not that of blood relationship, but of guardianship. But through the years the Smith- sonian has inaugurated various lines of scientific inquiry of vital impor- tance to the national life. As these have expanded beyond the capacity of the institution itself to house or finance them, they have been taken over by the Government, and support- ed directly by Federal appropriations. Some have been intrusted to various major departments of the Government. ‘Thus the Weather Bureau is now part of the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Fisheries part of the Department of Commerce. Others have been left under Smithsonian ad- ministration. Among these are such Institutions as the National Museum, the Bureau of American Ethnology, the National Zoological Park, the Ni tional Gallery of Art, the Astrophy: cal Observatory and the privately founded Freer Gallery of Art. Arrangement Fortunate. For all of them this has been a fortunate arrangement. They have thrived and expanded—expanded so much, in fact, that now they can function only with great difficulty in the quarters provided for them. It is largely for these Federal establish- ments under its direct charge that the $25,000,000 building program has been inaugurated. The Smithsonian has borne the in- creasing burden to the utmost of its ability. Its relations with the Federal Government, its “guardian,” have been characterized by the utmost cordiality and co-operation through the years. For example, for 70 years it has loaned three-quarters of its private building to the Government rent free. 1t has allowed the Government to put roadways through its private grounds without protest. It has supplemented with its own funds researches under- taken on insufficient appropriations by some of its Government-supported branches. Some of the foremost men in Amer- ican history have served on its Board of Regents, and the position of gecre- tary has been filled by some of the most illustrious figures in American science. Throughout the world the name “Smithsonian” is practically the trade-mark of scientific America. It is with these facts in view that it asks the Federal Government to finance the building program, not for itself primarily, but for its govern- mentally supported branches. The first need is for the National Museum—two new wings already au- thorized by Congress and with the plans drawn and approved, to cost approximately $5,850,000. It may be difficult for the general public to appreciate the acuteness of this need. Perhaps the name “mu- seum” is a trifle misleading, carrying, as it does, the connotation of a build- ing purely for exhibition purposes. Ex- ‘hibition is one of the functions of the institution, and millions of visitors have thronged through its halls. But this is only one of its functions. It is only secondarily a show place; pri- marily it is a place of deposit for type specimens which are the foundation blocks of the various sciences and must be preserved for the scientists of posterity. Many types are, indeed ready extinct species, and could never again be collected. The National Mu- seum contains more than ten million specimens, far more than it is equipped to care for within the space available. It has the foremost col- lection in the world in everything that relates to natural history, ethnology, geology and paleontology of the United States. This is supplemented with a great amount of material from other parts of the world. “Science Dictionary.” ‘The museum is sometimes referred to as the “dictionary of American ecience.” It is where one turns to “look up” any natural object found in the United States. For examples: It is found that some plant is poisonous to cattle. Just what is this plant? If the question is by any means difficult to answer, State officials turn to the National Museum, where the plant doing the damage can be matched up with type specimens of the whole family, and obtain an exact identification, or definition . A curlous rock, bird or insect is found. It is sent to the National Mu- seum for identification , if it does not compare strictly with something found before and’preserved there, be- comes itself a type specimen. It is safe to say that the natural sciences in the United States would be so badly handicapped that progress in them would be next to impossible were it not for this great collection in Washing- ton. Of course, very little of this mate- rial is on display. Only the choit items are kept in show cases. great mass of the material would have very little popular interest. The function of the National Museum is to preserve it, identify it, and catalog it for the benefit of specialists. Literally from pole to pole these collections have been gathered, often at vast expense of effort, health and lite. Even asa debt to the selflessness of the collectors the American people owe it to themselves to see that they be given adequate housing and pro- tection. Objects of History. ‘The Smithsonian has endeavored, so far as possible, to secure the original objects which have marked the turning points in the story of America’s material culture. These are often large, requiring space which absolutely cannot be found at present. A good example is the airplane col- lection. Aviation has been, both in its origin and an American contribution to civilization. The idea ‘was conceived here. The first flights weére made here, and there has been a regular progression of advances to the culmination in such colorful in: cidents as the Lindbergh flight. The airplane collection—especially its outitanding object,.the “Spirit of j THE SUNDAY. STAR, WASHINGTON, " The projected new National Gallery of Arts from an architect'’s drawing. St. Louis”—is unquestionably one of the primary attractions to visitors to the National Capital from all over the country. The Arts and Industries Bullding is the repository not alone of the priceless machines which have been the pivots upon which the mechani- cal evolution of the past century has turned. This building soon must be torn down to make way for the extension of Ninth street. It is the hope that it can be replaced with a building in some measure in keeping with the value of the objects it will contain. At present the cost of such & building is estimated at about $6,615,000. It would be large enougl all requirements for at least a half century to come and thus enable the Smithsonian Institution to expand its present efforts to preserve the story of one of the most remarkable eras in human history. The history of America’s material culture is, of course, only part of the story of the Nation’'s life. The Smithsonian has in its custody a great amount of material illustra- tive of the history of America’s na- tional culture. It constitutes an,in- valuable substitute for history text- books, an invaluable corrective for error based upon tradition. But at present there is no room even to house it, to say nothing of keeping it prop- erly on display. The building of the contemplated $5,500,000 Museum of History would make possible the keeping of an im- perishable, objective record of the story of the Nation and of the people. In still another branch of & activi- ties, the National Zoological Park, the institution is badly in need of more adequate quarters. For a total of five badly-needed buildings and the com- pletion of the bird house, the insti- tution is asking $1,000,000—and -this would be adequate, for the present, to raise the National Zoological Park ty the rank of the finest institution of its kind in the world. These build- ings are essentially public buildings, not merely animal barns. All of them fall far short of the purpose for which they are intended and are a source of continual unfavorable comment from visitors from all parts of the United States and foreign countries. — COMPULSORY MILITARY COURSE WINS IN-COURT Kansas Judge Holds State Has Right to Train Youth for Service. By the Associated Press. TOPEKA, Kans, January 12— Compulsory military training of Kan- sas State College students was upheld by District Judge Otis E. Hungate in ruling against the “conscientious ob- jections” of Raymord McMahon to- da e State has a right to train its youth in military matters and to have them prepared for defensé of their country.” the judge said, “whether the youth has conscientious objec- tions or otherwise.” An application for an injunction to restrain college authorities from re- quiring McMahon, a student of vet- erinary medicine, to participate in the training was denied. McMahon asserted he was a victim of discrimination in that he had to attend the land-grant school to ob- tain the veterinary course he desired. He charged the Board of Regents with violating a State constitutional exemption for those having religious scruples against the bearing of arms. S Bridge Causes Divorces. From one part of Central Europe have come. reports that several di- vorce suits have been started by hus- bands against bridge-fiend wives. The men accuse their mates of neg- lecting their household duties for the game and of losing too great a share of the family funds. Try our re-lining Suspect in D. C. Chest Swindle Traced Down by Accountant Clever Sleuthing Adds to Fame of Councilor in New Way. AMES A. COUNCILOR, whose system of accounting Com- munity Chest campaign funds has been called the best in the country. now is receiving con- gratulations for his ability as a detective. Through the clever sleuthing of the head of the firm of Councilor & Buchanan, certified public ac- countants, the police are on the trail of a man who is alleged to have swindled the Community Chest out of $60 by passing three bogus checks of $20 each, drawn on the Riggs National Bank. For five years Councilor & Bu- chanan have audited the Chest’s campaign funds, free of charge, and without the loss of a penny, due to the unique and well nigh perfect accounting system instituted by Councilor. But at the emd of the check-up this year it was found that some one had swindled the chest out of blfio by substituting checks for cash. Councilor took personal charge of the investigation, determined to locate the embezzler and vindicate his sys- tem. He was confronted by almost insurmountable odds, however. In a city of 500,000 inhabitants, 150,000 had contributed to the Community Chest. The bad checks had come from one of three sources—the contributors, the solicitors or the auditors. After nfinute check-ups, Councilor narrowed the fleld to 1 of the 150 em- ployes hired temporarily to audit the -campaign fund. It was up to him to trace the culprit; and he did it in the manner of a Sherlock Holmes. Close examination of the checks showed the name “Community Chest of Washington, D. C.,” had been writ- ten on an odd typewriter, and who- ever did the typing was not expert. In one place, where a comma was puncl":ed the letters Tomorrow’s Special Here is a_little grand that has been returned on account of the pur- chaser having to return to his former home. The grand can be sold for this small balancé and bought on payments as little as $2 Weekly. *370 N JAMES A. COUNCILOR. have been a pharmaceutical type- writer.” A search of drug stores turned up a machine in one of the old-line chain stores with similar type. While Coun- cilor was busy duplicating the checks | on this typewriter a young druggist remarked that “a fellow was in here Mattresses Remade 33 The Stein Bedding Co. 1004 Eye St. N.W. ME. 9490 J OE HIG -INCORPORATED" m "OUR PLUMBER| Arthur Jordan Piano Company Beautiful Grands Mason & Hamlin Chickering Marshall & Wendell Cable & Son’s Schubert Huntington Jordan and others Buy on Jordan’s Budget Plan Trade in Your ARTHIR Old Style Piano JORDAN PIANO COMPANY 1239.G Street C COMPARE i st A ~Cor. 13 NW. ‘THIS WEEK! ny Garment -CLEANED AND PRESSED DE LUXE SERVICE ! overcoats, $3.50 -'Men’s hats cleaned and blocked, 39c - ‘A Convenient Branch in Your Neighborhood 320 Kennedy Street N.W. 1731 Columbia Road 814 14th Street N.W. 1631 17th Street N.W. 1416 Park Road 1020 North Capitol 8t. 5602 Connecticut Ave. 2002 2041 Nichols Ave. 3500 Georgia Ave. 5119 Georgia Ave. Géorgia Ave. N.W. ' 622 Tth Street S.W. 420 H Street N.E. 1122 Vermont Ave. N.W. 1500 Wisconsin Ave. 7108 Georgia Ave. 2303 4th Street N.E. < C;” JANUARY " 13, Proposed Expansion' of Smithsonian Institution not long ago writing out three checks on that same machine.” Prom that clue the accountant traced the checks directly to a young man who had been called in on the special audit. He gave police the name of the man, and a United States commissioner’s warrant now is en route to Rome, Ga, for his arrest. Under the law the accused has 30 days in which to fight extradition. RECREATION GROUP T0 MEET TUESDAY Settle to Explain Maps of Centers to Advisory Council. Thomas 8. Settle, secretary of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Tuesday afternoon will cxplain to the District' Commissioners’ Advisory Council on Recreation the| program of his organization for the) development of playgrounds and recreation centers in the city and vi- cinity. Arrangements were made yesterday for the session to be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the conference room of | the commission at the Navy Building. The various properties mentioned in the recent report of L. H. Weir, ex- pert of the National Recreation Asso- ciation, looking to unification of recreational facilities here, will be pointed out on maps to be furnished by the commission. . Some of the members of the coun- cil frankly conceded they did not know where all the recreational areas in the District are located, officials asserted yesterday. Settle, aided by John Nolan, ir., director of planning of the commis- sion, will outline plans for the future |Foote, Md., and certain submarginal development of the recreational sys- |lands also will be discussed. tem of Washington and its environs, m:,“e“"‘ly e aion e cxpectad. (o, be as worked out by the commission| The Advisory Council is headed by itself, aided by its experts. The ques- | James E. Colliflower, with Mrs. Fred- tion of utilizing such areas outside |erick H. Brooks as vice chairman the District as the Shenandoah Na-|and Miss Sybil Baker, director of tional Park, Fort Hunt, Va.; Fortlplaygrounds, as secretary- EYES EXAMINED EYESTRAIN HEADACHES POSITIVELY RELIEVED Exclusive Optical Service & Satishclion Repeate_d Specials Cox; Bhis Weak KRYPTOK L Jnvisible _Bifocal i $5-90 $12.00 value...... OCTAGON RIMLESS Fine quality elle" e $0:50 $13.50 value...... USE OUR BUDGET PLAN Prescriptions Filled at These Special Prices Above prices include Eye Examination by Licensed Optometrist 812 Fy; SHAH OPTICAL CO. 24 Years A Price-Wrecking emodeling Sale Made necessary to get the store and stock in shape to make important changes planned for the betterment of our service to you. Time is short—so we’ve made the reductions doubly deep—in Suites, Occasional Pieces—Beds and Bedding—Rugs—etc. KD o 43 Living Room Suites —doomed to go at a fraction of the original price Were §110 to §295 Now 694 to 194 Here Are 5 Examples: $110 Mohair Tapestry Suite. . $135 Mohair Frieze Suite. .. .... $159 Carved Frame Suite. $189 Mohair Frieze Suite $219 Mohair Damask Suite. . . .....$149.00 39 Others Similarly Reduced—and ‘All “Furniture of Merit” 87 Bedroom Suites Mahogany, Walnut, Maple—Both Moderne and Conservative Types Were $95 to §295 Now 59 to $194 For Example: $95 Walnut and Gum Suite. ...... $59.50 $125 Four-piece Twin-bed Suite. . . .$79.50 $169 Burl Walnut Colonial Suite. . .$110.00 $199 Satinwood or Rosewood Suite . $129.00 $295 Acacia Veneered Suite. . . ....$187.00 *. Occasional Pieces $15 Tapestry Occasional Chair. ..... $9.95 $21.50 Tapestry Club Chair........$14.45 $34.50 Club Chair and Ottoman. . . .$24.50 $15 Ladder-back Windsor Chairs. ... $7.50 $4.95 Upholstered Bed Room Bench.. $2.47 $15 Coffee Table and Tray........ $7.75 $1.95 Mahogany-finished End Table.. $1.19 $14.50 Mahogany Phone Set.........$8.75 $45 Tapestry Rocker .............$27.50 $75 Mahogany Virginia Sofa. . ......$49.50 $185 Chippendale Sofa..........$125.00 $89 Mahogany Love Seat. . ........$57.50 $14.75 Mah. or Wal. Occasional Table $8.50 $29.50 Mah. Drop-leaf Dinette Table.$19.50 $6.50 Walnut and Gum Night Table.. $3.95 $34.50 Gov. Winthrop Secretary. . ..$24.50 $14.50 Walnut Pier Cabinet. ....... $7.75 $8.50 Walnut Magazine Rack...... $4.95 Beds and Bedding $24.50 Solid Mahogany Poster Beds. .$14.75 $19.75 Inner Spring Mattress......$12.95 $11.50 Layer Felt Mattress........ $7.45 $29.50 Inner Spring Mattress. .....$19.75 $11 All-Wool Double Blankets..... $7.45 And 82 other Suites—besides many odd Bed Room Pieces—and dll “‘Furniture of Merit”—which makes the reductions all the more significant. 17 Dining Room Suites Handsomely designed, popular types—in walnut, oak, mahogany—all full 10-piece suites— Were §174 to $395 Now $119 to 3295 Here Are 5 of Them: $174 Walnut-veneered Suite ... ... $219 Early English Oak Suite... ... $269 Antique Walnut Reproduction. . . .$179 $350 Walnut and Maple Suite. .. .....$247 $395 All-walnut Georgian Suite. .. ...$295 ‘And 12 other Suites—together with a lim- ited number of odd Dressers—temptingly reduced. All “Furniture of Merit.”’ 8119 .$139 @ $5 Cotton-Filled Comforts......... $2.95 $2.50 White Feather Pillows....... $1.89 $33.50 Twin Studio Couch. . .......$24.45 $39.50 Simmons Studio Couch. . ....$29.50 $7.50 Brown Metal Bed..........: $4.95 $29.75 Solid Mag. or Wal. Spool Beds. $14.95 $15 Studio Couch End Cabinet. . .... $8.50 $12.95 Mag., Wal. or Maple Poster Bed. $7.89 Every Rug in Stock of which only one or two are left, Sharply Reduced for Clearance Fine Wiltons |‘/ Axminsters Luster Rugs Velvets Also short ends of HEAVY INLAID and STANDARD INLAID LINOLEUM Make all the use of your credit you :nish—but don’t let this rare opportunity pass House & Herrmann ‘Seventh and Eye “Furniture of Merit” 8433-35 Georgia Ave. Free Parking on Eye Street—Opposite the Store