The Washington times., 1906-01-28

not have some means OF regulating
their chronometers. What terrible
state Of affairs would exist IL everyone
had a separate standard upon which TO
depend for time,
Every day at noon this bureau fur
nishes the correct time to ALA parts OF
the United States. Washington time"
is the only time which really means
anything on the continent All clocks
from Maine to California and from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf OF Mexico are
regulated from this city.
Another function Of this department
is the computation of the tides, and the
time Of sunrise and sunset, very i'm
portant data for mariners, also the
varying deviations Of the north mag
netic pole from the true north pole.
These and a number Of other minor
duties make the department sufficiently
unitarian 10 satisfy the commercially
inclined. AT the same time. the great
est mission Of the Naval Observatory
fis the work IL is doing in behalf OF
pure science.
Closely related to the progress OF
learning IN America is the peFpetuation
and upbuilding OF the work that has
been started Ia maintaining a National
Museum The influence OF such an in
stitution upon the intellectual advance
ment OF the nation cannot be overesti-
mated.
The Smithsonian Institution and the
National Museum are two separate in
situations at the present time. but they
are distinct in name only. for their work
is virtually the same. though differing in
the branches OF investigation pursued.
These two institutions bear a relation
TO the intellectual advancement OF
| Washington. and consequently the ma
/ ton as a whole similar 10 that OF the
public libraries, with u.s. added import
anee that the Museum stands alone in
its work in the nation whereas the
libraries are duplicated all over the coun-
try. The latter are a source OF useful
ness primarily 10 the residents OF WASH
ington. while the National Museum Is
the great investigation studio for the
I seekers after knowledge of the nation.
Workshops of Science.
For many years America was eailous
TO the demands OF science for work.
shop and laboratory where priceless
treasures of art, Of archaeology. OF an
thropology. and OF kindred sciences
might be studied and exhibited for the
common advancement Of all who cared
to make an investigation OF such sub
jects.
TODAY the National Museum and the
Smithsonian Institution have proven
their place uneauivocally in the nation
al life Of Americans. and their Joint
work is moving along the same lines OF
lendeavor as the efforts which have for
centuries distinguished the British Mu-
scum as one of the foremost agencies
for the collection and diffusion OF knowl-
edge in the world.
Every addition to the collections in
these institutions is a new stimulus 10
the active and progressive minds of
young American scholars who are not
only anxious to acquire knowledge from
sources already AT hand. but who are
willing 10 Join with the master minds in
seeking out new and hidden secrets in
the natural world. or in bringing 10
light truths that have remained buried
for ages.
Field BToadens Yearly.
The field Of endeavor OF the Smith
sonian Institution Is broadening yearly,
currence OF importance anywhere in the
{ world mat America - NOT adequate
) represented. The work is in the hands
of men who are not only capable but
enthusiastic. and they are building up
collections OF scientific subject matter
that will be OF incalculable value in the
wears 10 come. They are today assist
J ing in unraveling some of the mysteries
, of nature and Of natural laws.
The Institution and the National Mu-
scum are being assisted by the consular
? service OF the United States also by
{ special representatives in all parts of the
: world.
: The people of the nation cannot afford
to become 1ukewarm in their interest
with regard TO these two institutions
The time viii come when America can
5 mention her National Museum with as
) much pride as does the Englishman to-
day when he refers to the British Mu-
scum. the greatest storehouse of infor-
nation on every subject in the world
2 The fact that the National Museum
has been practically evolved from the
2 Smithsonian Institution demonstrates
the fact that the United States is not
I backward in it's efforts TO further the
V cause of knowledge throughout the