Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-12

Or, Charles G. Abbot has been con-
nected with the Smithsonian lnstitu-
ton for more than % years; he started
one year after he had graduated from
the Massachusetts, Institute OF Technoi-
ogy in 1893. Now he has been elected
secretary Of the institution.
He is recognized as one OF the most
distinguished astronomers or astrophysi-
cists In the world. and Is author OF sew
eral standard books on solar radiation
He Is specialist Of the weather in the
sun-sunspots.
Now that he is secretary of the insti-
tuition the question naturally arises as
TO what he is going TO do with 1t. Just
TO get his reaction or eyaluation OF the
importance of the work OF the institu-
ton. the demand was sprung upon him
yesterday TO explain why the institution
should not be abolished. and what Is Its
record OF accomplishment In It's FOUR
score years and two, since II was estao-
lished. Is 1t duplicating work done in
other institutions? There Is the Bureau
OF Entomology in the Department OF
Agriculture, for example--how does It's
research differ from the research In en-
tomology By the scientists OF the smith
sonian institution? There are the Bu-
rcau of Standards and the Weather Blu
reau, both institutions OF science.
Secretary Abbot is somewhat of hui
morist, but he looked quite solemn at
tn. suggestion that the Smithsonian In
stitution might have TO be abolished, and
he became subduedly indignant at the
proposal. What would become OF the
24-ioot shelf OF books which II has al
ready published. discussing pure sci.
ence" which IL has developed and added
In the worlds knowledge of nature and
natures laws?
The general public too often thinks
Of the Smithsonian Institutions mu-
scum as being Its chief feature. whereas
IL is the feature Of minor importance,
though II is about all that the tourist
sees.
It's first secretary Joseph Henry, or
ganized the first weather observation
system In the world. out OF which grew
the United States Weather Bureau, and
eventually similar weather services
throughout the world. Its scientists
studied fishes as food supply. and out Of
that developed the United States Fish
Commission. now under the Department
of Commerce II began the geological
survey of the continent. which Is now
an independent bureau. II created the
National Museum and the National Zoo
logical Park with It's collection OF ami
mails. Under the third secretary. DIR.
4, p. Langley. the metaphysical observa-
tory was developed. DR. Langley made
the flrst American experiments with
heavier than-air flying prior 10 the
development OF the gas engine and It
will be noted that his principles were
not radically different from those OF
the successful Wright brothers airplane.
except that the Wright machine Is pro-
PEELED by gas instead Of steam.
No man has devoted more scientific
work on observation of sunspots than
has Secretary Abbot. including their ef~
feet upon the radiation OF heat 10 the
earth. and their effect on our weather.
He declares that with fuller knowledge
OF sunspot effects on our atmosphere II
will be possible To forecast the weather
much farther ahead than we now do.
and with greater accuracy. IL not that
alone worth more than all the cost of
the institutions aimee smithhon gave his
$3.50. 900 for ita foundation?
The National Museum now contains
over i000o.oo0 specimens. covering all
t'-s sciences.
What else has the Smithsonian Insti~
tuition Accomplishment There was
Nicholson. who first measured the wave
length Of ether vibration. that became
the unit OF all wave measures, for the
radio. spcctfoscopic fays. etc. Morley
weighed the atoms of oxygen and
hydrogen, which became the basis OF all
atomic weights III chemicals. The
SmlthsoniaQ Institution Subsidized q
struggling seientiat named Sehuman
living IN Hamburg. until ha studied
violet rays and handled them all
"a 10 cure ricketts,.
The institution In not practical" In
hunting deposits Ut oils aud minerals,
but 1t knows that where there exist
oils ana minerals there are always fns-
sill remains at invertebrates, II In find.
ing out about such dry b0nes" It's
knowledge saves millions of dollars In
the locating Of oil and nlinHrals. al.