Evening star., 1923-02-04

w icof, dliu SSilciois SiSdilcu Nitt NC
ing the founder Of the United States
National Museum. be honored by the
establishment in Washington through
: act of Congress of a museum of fish
cries and oceanogra ply, with labora
tories and public aquarium. was made
last night by the National Baird Memo
rial committee. composed Of distinguish
ed scientists. at impressive ceremonies
commemorating the Tooth anniversary
OF Baird's birth. held in the auditorium
Of the National Museum.
The committee also recommended that.
In addition, fund be established for
encouragement Of research and eXplora-
tion in the direction in which Baird was
leader, and that Baird's name be given
10 the laboratory of the bureau o.
hsherfes at Woods Hole, Mass. where
the noted scientist conducted much OF
he died.
Scientist EuioHized.
The announcement of the commit
tees decisions. reached yesterday
afternoon at an executive meeting,
came as climax to a program of
eulogy and "reminiscences of Prof.
Baird. taken part in by such leaders
in the world of science as DR. Will
liam Healey Dali, honorar! president
OF the memorial committee. and
author of monumental biography
of Baird; DR.. c. q. Abbott, assistant
secretary of the Smithsonian Instr
tuition: Prof. Edwin Linton Of Angus
Ia. Ca: DR.. David Starr Jordan, for
mer president of Leland Stanford
University. and DR.. Clinton Hart Mer-
ram of the National Geographic So
ciety.
The auditorium was we'll filled with
persons of note in the field of re-
search. come from various parts of
the country to pay their tributes to
the man who revolutionized the Study
of natural history in America. and
who established and was first head
of the United States fish commission.
now the bureau of fisheries. The
stage was decorated with flowers and
American flags, forming a frame for
a striking life size bust portra': of
the honored man.
ReprcSt ntative Frank l.. Greene OF
Vermont, member OF the board of
regents Of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion. presided at the exercises and
introduced the speakers. Following
The addresses, the men and women
went to the second or main floor OF
the museum building and partici-
pated in 'conversaZ Ziore." while the
Marine Band played fl ON balcony.
Life and Works of Baird.
The speakers each took different
Phases of the life and works of Baird
and presented them in detail. Baird
the man. the Smithsonian promoter,
the research expert of Woods Hole,
the professor and scientist. and the
naturalist were taken subjects.
DR.. Dali eulogized Baird as man
who never had A personal controversy
or an avoWed enemy, who was un
tirinE in his zeal and absolutely un-
selfish in the promotion of science.
He summarized the mans unusual
qualities as follows: Efficient in bust
ness matters. frank. genial wholly
unaffected, of inexhaustible memory
for research findings and data. al
ways busy but not too active to meet
his friends; rarely mistaken in judg-
ment generous to the point of sac
rifiicing personal glory in order to
give requested advice to collabor-
Ators.
DR.. Abbott, who expressed the re-
gret of DR.. Charles d. Walcott, sec
retary of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. at the latter's inability to speak
as scheduled, outlined the history Of
the institution and of Prof. Bairds
connection with and influence on it,
He told of how Prof. Henry, first sec
retary OF the Smithsonian Institu-
ton, first became acquainted with
the then young naturalist: how
tion for a naturalist who could take
over the collection and classification
of specimens. and how, at Henry 3
instigation. Baird was appointed in
1850 as assistant secretary of the in
stitution.
Made Big Collection.
The new assistant secretary seized
on the opportunity thus presented to
gather a huge collection of birds, rep
tiles etc. by gaining the cooperation
of exploring parties then engaged In
surveying the west for railroads and
of military authorities at outposts
He became a powerful factor. 1t was
pointed out. in establishing the geo
logical survey. the fish commission
~ -
of the last named establishment fur
nished for Baird the realization Of
dream that he had cherished for many
years.
Prof Linton recounted interesting
incidents of Bairds career as com
missioner of fisheries while at Woods
Hole, Mass. Baird selected that place
for conducting his study of sea life
vantages, the speaker stated. the
scene In 1881 becoming the center of
activity of Investigations by the fish
commission. Baird realized the need
an agitation for one that resulted
successfully. He led numerous sein-
ing expeditions for capturing rare
specimens OF fish, conducting the first
trip by the commission to the Gulf
stream Many noted visitors watched
him at his work. including President
Arthur. 1t was at Woods Hole, in
1887, that Baird died after a linger-
ing illness, DR.. Linton said.
"Commanding Figure,
DR.. Jordan, announcing himself as
former pupil of Baird, characterized
his tutor as "a commanding figure in
American science" Baird laid down
his own set of rules for students of
science, involving study at the start
OF only tangible, concrete objects.
with less attention TO theories ex-
pounded in books He always be-
lieved in keeping close to nature. DIR.
Jordan pointed out. and aroused gem
eral interest in educational circles by
establishing the precedent in his
natural history classes while a pro-
fessor at Dickinson College Of taking
his pupils on tours of investigation
through the fields and woods. there to
study nature first hand.
Dr. Merriam, testifying to Baird 9
ability as a naturalist, explained that
he early perceived the necessity for
research. especially in connection with
the gathering of raw materials and
specimens, and that he followed out
this conviction by securing the woods
streams and fields for birds. fishes
reptiles. mammals and all varieties OF
life. Birds and reptiles. DR.. Merriam
asserted, were his favortte subjects
of study, but he published many
papers on allied topics of natural his
tory. On being made assistant secre'
tary of the Smithsonian Institution
he redoubled his efforts to collect
these specimens. 1t was stated, ant
the resulting influx of objects includ
ed many specimens new to science.