Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-03-25
'NAGEL AND BOWERS
TALK OF AQUARIUM
Secretary Pays High Compliment to
Commissioner 6owers-proiect
Up to Congress.

NaShihE1oh, ~. ~, March 2a.~~~A
national aquarium, in separate build
Ing devoted exclusively 10 the nur-
pose, and equipped as only the gov
ernment, with It's vast resources, can
equip II is among the possibilities OF
the near future In Washington
The plans for the new Department
of Commerce and Labor building pro-
vide fer an aquarium in and az part
OF the building but there has been
adverse comment Of this plan in Of
fetal circles
1T has been suggested said Secre-
tary Nagel, that perhaps an aquar-
iu-n In big government office of that
kind Is not a god thing for the Office
Oh for the aquarium II would re-
quire the submission Of the PROPOSE
ton for separate building TO Cen
gross before anything could be done.
he said, and thus far no steps have
teen taken IN that direction
Favored BY Bowers.
Nothing would give me greater
pleasure said Commissioners George
VI Bowers OF the bureau OF fisheries.
than to know we were to have
separate building fer such an institi1-
ton, and know OF no better site in
the United States for national aqumr
ium than right here in Washington.
en- the site OF the present bureau OF
fisheries" The commissioner spoke
with the warmth OF enthusiasm and
Secretary iNagel, who heard the re-
mark. rather by look than by word
semed heartily to indorse IT,
Secretary Nagel explained. however,
that the matter had not even been
discussed seriously He had heard
the project suggested, but had not
given II official consideration as yet.
| Commissioners Bowers said he had
heard the subject. talked cf and he
would be very glad indeed II the aalk
led to substantial results.
| why, / will venture to say he
continued, I'VE have mere visitors
now to the little tank where we keep
the two little seals from Alaska than
any other government exhibit In
| WdSHluEb II n dFtbHiHutHk WuAt
interest the public takes In the seals
ami also in the aquarium exhibit
which we now have A national aqua
rum OF the right sort would be one
Of the biggest show features of tho
government at the National Capital
No Official Consideration.
| But thus far there has been no Of
! fetal conference upon the subject and
nothing more, II was explained, than
the mere suggestion OF an aquarium
building and perfunctory discussion
Ct its possibilities.
| Secretary Nagel would not admit
that he contemplated asking Congress
for the authority and appropriation
necessary to the erection OF naticn-
al aquarium.
| n Is evident, however, that the seed
OF desire for national aquarium has
been sown, and that II will take but
! little to nurse 1t into substantial and
growing life.
! Commissioner bowers left yester-
| day afternoon for Louisville to look
over the grund where a new fisheries
! station Is to be established, but from
/ fis enthusiasm ever the subject OF
national aquarium. separately housed
and properly equipped. II Is EVIDENT
the new fish station at Louisville will
divide honors with the aquarium in
his thoughts for the present at least.
Bowers Man For Place.
IF we we're &c have such all aqua
rum" said Secretary Nagel, II know
OF no man in the country whom
would rather see get it in shape than
Commissioner Bowers. He Is the best
man for the purpose know
With Secretary Nagel believing that
an aquarium in the new department
building is not good thing for the
depa rtment or for the aquarium. with
Commissioner Bowers enthusiasm fer
a new building devoted to aquarium
purposes on the site Of the present
bureau OF fisheries, already owned by
the government, and the FACT that
nothing stands in the way OF the pro-
ject but lack of an appropriation by
Congress for the erection and equip
ment OF the necessary building, a ma
tional aquarium, the peer Of any in
the world. does net seem among the
remote probabilities of the near flu