Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-02
s American National Bank, 1315=1317 ST.

torted to make the lines seem straight For
instance in the case of a broad flight of
stairs leading to a temple a flight broader
than the north front of the treasury, per-
fectly straight line drawn across the picture
showed that the stairs curved decidedly up
ward In the center. Yet without the tell
tale straight line they looked as though
they were absolutely true and level. The
same was shown to be true with the pedi-
ments of other temples. Other pictures
showed how the builders had even bulged
out the side lines Of their most beautiful
buildings to correct the effect on the eye
that looked at them from the ground.
The same trick in building was shown In
the perspective of halls filled with columns
and in some Of the old Roman piaZZas where
seeming increase of area was secured In
limited space simply by having the side
lines distorted. 1t was a remarkable dis
play of ancient ingenuity in combining
nice knowledge of the law Of optics with
practical architecture.
Prof. Alexander Graham Bell asked Prof
Goodyear afterward whether any similar
application OF curves had been found In
English cathedrals and other old buildings
But he said that the measurements had not
gone far enough to prove that, though in
teresting developments might be expected
with further research.
American Antiquities.
Prof. Edgar L. Hewett, fellow of the In
stitute OF American Archaeology. spoke of
the preservation of American antiquities It
was shown that two very important meas.
ures had been passed by the Fifty-ninth
Congress. the prompt and effective admins
tration of which had accomplished an end
for which the institute and all other scien-
tific bodies of the country had been work.
ing for many years.
Under the operations of the Lacey act all
historic and prehistoric ruins situated upon
lands owned or controlled by the govern
ment have been placed under the care of
the three deDartmpntS nf government viz.
Interior Agriculture and War. having turis-
diction over the lands on which such ruins
situated. and the officials of these de-
partments. as forest rangers. Indian police,
special agents, ETC., are all under instruc-
lions to protect the ruins from unauthorized
excavation and vandalism.
Under further provisions of this act, he
said, the President Of the United States
has issued proclamations creating nation
al monuments follows: MonteZuma
Castle in Arizona, Ell MORO or Inscription
Rock in New Mexico. Petrified Forest in
Arizona and Devils Tower in Wyoming.
and steps are being taken to act in like
manner upon the great prehistoric ruins Of
Claco Canon, New Mexico.
Another important act of the Fifty
ninth Congress was the creation of the
Mesa Verde National Park in southwest
ern Colorado, this being acknowledged to
be the most interesting and instructive
cliff dwelling region In the United States.
or in fact in the entire world. Maps were
displayed showing the boundaries Of the
new national park with location of the
most important ruins 1t was shown that
under the provisions of this act a large
number of important ruins falling outside
the boundary of the park proper were to
be included, for adminstra tive purposes.
within the jurisdiction of the national park
officers. this making the great ruins OF
Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House. Balcony
House and others part of the National
Park without depriving the Indians upon
whose lands they are situated Of any of
their property.
1t was stated by the speaker that in
view of the fact that up to two and a half
accomplished for the preservation of
American antiquities, ruins being de-
spoiled by vandals and exploited for COM
mercial purposes all over the southwest
and invaluable material lost to science
every day, the present condition repre-
sents achievements which are most crafty
ing to everybody.
Executive Committee Meeting.
There was a meeting of the executive
committee OF the Institute OF Archaeology
preceding the general session. At this the
constitution that had been granted the in
stitute by special act of Congress was ac-
copied. In the afternoon the incorporates
met and ratified this action.
The Pathological Associa tioa held a stimuli
taneous meeting in the other wing OF the
University building Papers were read by
Prof. Wilbur Mustard on "virgirs Georges
and the British Poets" by Prof. E. Wash
burn Hopkins of Yale on Sanskrit grammar
and by Prof. Roland G. Kent on THE time
element in the Greek drama.
There were sessions of both associations
in the afternoon. while at night there will
be joint meeting in University Hall. Here
an address Of welcome will be made by
President Needham Of George Washington
University. The annual address of Prs-
ident Merrill of Trinity College will be made
on Certain Roman Characteristics"
At $50 there will be an informal recep-
ton at the Cosmos Club.