Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26
NEW MUSEUM COSTING. $7,5O0OOO
| is PLANNED FOR WASHINGTON
DR.. Abbott EnIists Aid of
Prominent Citizens in
Proposed Project.
Exhibits Would Show Prog
ress of Transportation
and Science.

Plans for building a huge industrial
museum in Washington at cost of ap-
proximately S7.500,000 are beginning to
crystalline into definite form through
the efforts of small group of scien-
lists, business men and public officials
interested in the work of the Smith
5onian Institution
The idea was conceived by Or. C. G.
Abbot, secretary of the institution, sew
cral years ago Working alone, he has
enlisted the support of such men as the
Secretaries of War and Navy. Daniel
Willard, president of the Baltimore e.
Ohio Railroad Thomas Ewing and H.
F. G. Porter. president and secretary OF
the New York National Museum of En-
cheering and Industry. and the regents
of the Smithsonian Institution.
The proposed museum would be the
only thing OF its kind in this country.
Nature Of Exhibits.
1t would house exhibits representing
the step-by-step progress Of transporta-
ton on land, sea and through the air.
The development of the great American
Notwithstanding farming, numbering,
manufacture, etc.-Would be pictured in
detailed large scale models
Another section would be devoted to
progress of the telephone. telegraph,
photography. the electric light and a
host OF others.
The whole thing would be arranged
in such a systematic fashion that the
average sightseer, as well as the stu
dent, could get something approaching
an understanding of the amazing
forward steps which have been taken
In this country during the past GEN.
fury in the major fields of human
endeavor.
Present plans call for the razing of
the old Smithsonian Institution Building
and the removal of wooden sheds in
the rear of the present new building.
The Planning Commission has an
nounced its intent to make Ninth
street through thoroughfare. This,
DR.. Abbot pointed out. would necessi-
ing. even If the proposed new one is
not to be built
With Ninth street sent through. the
new museum would run west from its
curb line in the rear of the present
building It's exact size would be de-
termined by the amount OF money
available
Institution Now Crowded.
According to DR.. Abbot, the Insti-
tuition now is crowded to the limit of its
capacity. If it is desired to install
some new exhibit. such as the Spirit
of st. Louis, another one, hardly less
desirable. must be thrown out. This
means, he said that anything in the
nature of a comprehensive portrayal of
industrial progress is effectively blocked.
At the present time most of the air
exhibits are housed in an old Army
laboratory building, loaned by the Gov
eminent.
There Is not a square foot of avail
able space left When the NC-4, first
plane to cross the Atlantic, was placed
on exhibition the wings had to be re-
moved for lack of space. In many in
stances small planes are tucked away
out of sight under the wings of their
larger sisters
While every precaution Is taken to
guard against such a disaster. fire
would inevitably destroy these priceless
mementos of American achievements
In the air. DR.. Abbot declared.
DR.. Abbot believes that the Smith
sonian Institute contains the only
available nucleus for project such as
the one he has in mind.
In the field Of aeronautics there is