Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-16
NO SUCCESSOR CHOSEN
MEETING OF BOARD OF REGENTS
OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

Contrary to general expectations, there
was no election of successor to Prot.
Langley at the meeting of the Smithsonian
regents today. The meeting was attended
by the full board. Chief Justice Fuller,
Vice President Fairbanks. Senators Cuilom.
Lodge and Bacon, Representatives HIT,
Adams and Howard DIR. Angel DR.. White.
ex-Secretary Olney, Justice Gray, former
Representative Henderson and DIR. Aiexan-
der Graham Bell. There the usual
executive session, and when 1t was over 1t
was announced that action on the Sc
lection of secretary had been post
poned till the next regular meeting
In December. The only explanation
offered of the delay was that in the
case of such an appointment. which was
practically for life, the regents wished an
abundance of time to make the selection.
They were quite satisfied with the way the
institution was running under the legal pro-
vision. which makes the assistant secretary
the acting secretary during the interim.
and they did not care to be hurried In max
ing their selection.
Turned Over by Prof. Langley's
Family.
Two matters that were of considerable
public interest were announced. One was
that the family of Prof. Langley had turned
over W Tue oiIlitDSouldl lhc oCicHtihS
medals and decorations of one sort an
other that had been presented him from
various parts of the world in recognition
OF his researches. Among this collection
Is also some of his earlier scientific APP
paratus and the original bolometer which
was his greatest contribution to working
science.
The bolometer Is an electric thermometer
and now has been brought to a point
where II will register a millionth OF a de-
gree centigrade. There is one of these in
struments now In every observatory of i'm
portance in the world
The medals include: The Rumford gold
medal from the American Academy OF Arts
and Sciences, value IA: the Rumford
gold medal from the Royal Society of Lon
don, value s271.20: the Henry Draper medal
from the National Academy OF Sciences
value, s2l93o; the gold medal OF the Acad-
envy of Sciences of the Institute of France
value S5I. %; the Rumford silver medal from
the American Academy of Arts and Sci.
ences, value 50: the Rumford silver medal
from the Royal Society of London, value
IS. and several other medals and badges OF
bronze and other composition
The Freer Collection.
The collection of medals and instruments
VIII be placed in special case and put
on exhibition soon as possible,
Another matter of interest that was an
nounced was that the legal papers in the
~NANSSN w M Siids- u. freer or Detroit
had been completed and the art collection
which Mr.. Freer will leave to the Smith
sonian Is now the legal property of that
BODY. The bequest will not take effect tia
me! me death OF Mr.. Freer, but at that time
100000 will become available for . build
ing IN which to house the collection. IL
vas also settled that the collection would
oe transported to Washington and turned
oser mere 10 the institution at the expense
% the estate Whatever there Is over from
tAe money expended In the erection OF the
building VIII become the property of the
ltstituuon and go toward the maintenance