Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-23

desirable that Congress extend this resolu-
ton so as to afferd facilities for study for
all properly qualified students or graduates
of universities, other than those mentioned
in the resolution, and provide for the ap-
pointment of an officer whose duty 1t shall
be to-ascertain and make known what ia
ciiitieS for research exist in the govern
ment departments; also arrange with the
heads of tine departments, and with the
officers in charge of government collections
on terms satisfactory to them, rules and
persons may have access to these collec-
lions for the purpose of research. with due
regard to the needs and requirements of the
work of the government, and that 1t shall
also be his duty to direct in q manner
satisfactory to the heads of such depart
ments and officers in charge the researches
of such persons into lines which will pro-
mote the interests of the government and
the development of the natural resources,
agriculture, manufactures and commerce of
the, country. and generally promote the
progress of science and the useful arts,
and the increase and diffusion of knowl-
edge among men.
Care of Founders Remains.
The question of the proper disposition of
the remains of James Smithson. the found
er of the institution, was discussed at some
length by the board. A communication was
laid before them from the secretary of the
English buryins ground at Genoa calling
attention to the fact that the little ceme-
where lie was inferred WOut0 De re-
moved by the italian government. and stat
ing that the remains would receive scrupu
lcus care and attention and could be
inferred in the new English burying ground
in Genoa If the regents so desired. After
some discussion Representative Robert
Adams moved the adoption Of resolution
providing for leaving the remains in Genoa
and transferring them to some other ceme-
terry.
Prof Bell offered an amendment providing
that the remains of Smithson be brought
to the United States and inferred here but
after full discussion the resolution OF Mr..
Adams was adopted.
The secretary made further statement
to the board announcing that by the
death of Joseph White Sprague of Louis
vile. KY. in June. 1900. the institution had
secured reversiOnary interest in fund
to best promote the advancement OF the
physical sciences. 1t was not known how
much this fund u.s. and under the terms Of
the beQuest the institution Is not to secure
the death Of all the persons interested in
the estate. so that 1t will not become avail
able for probably fifty years.
Expedition to Southern Arabia.
The secretary informed the regents Of an
expedition to southern Arabia to excavate
Cr of the Chaldees, the traditional home Of
Abraham. This town. whose modern name
is Mugheir. was visited fifty years ago by
Mr.. Taylor. the English consul at Busreh
" O louIu SOIle FeIHafHS winch 1nOlCaI0Q
almost to-a certainty that valuable finds
would be made. The funds for this expe-
dition have b sen provided by private sub
scription. This expedition. II successful, is
likely to throw flood of light upon the
early history OF Babalonia and on the early
narratives in the Book of Genesis.
The secretary also spoke of the Smith
sonian deposit in the Library of Congress.
stating that owing to the bad conditions
which prevailed when the library was in
the Capitol there was considerable number
of losses, and that probably a large sum
would be requisite In order to supply this.
No actual count of all the books In the
Smithsonian deposit has yet been made,
but from estimates the Secretary thought
the number would reach at least 10000
volumes. He was pleased to report a much
better condition of things in the new
library building
The Secretary then made some special
statements to the regents-among others as
to the condition of the Smithsonian fund
relative to the universities of the country
at the time of it's foundation and now, and
the regents discussed the means of bringing
the fitness of the institution depository
Of trusts more prominently before the
country.
International Catalogue.
The secretary spoke Of the great enter
prise of the International catalogue of
scientific literature, the idea of which origi-
mated with this institution under Professor
Henry, and which Is now to be carried on
by an International bureau located in Lon
don. acting for all the principal civilized
nations of the world except the United
States, which has, it is regretted, declined
to bear its share
The State Department, he said, is known
to have recommended this to our own gov
errment, but unsuccessfully. and the insti-
tuition. rather than lose all touch with SO
worthy an object, of which 1t was primarily
the instigator, has undertaken temporarily
to establish what will correspond to the
regional bureaus in other countries, and
catalogue the scientific literature of the
United States.
The carrying on of the central bureau in
London will probably entail an expenditure
of about 100000 for five years, and this
has been guaranteed by subscriptions from
European governments. For this the uni
versities. libraries and private institutions
of the United States have done their fair
share. in response to an appeal issued from
the institution last summer.