Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-12
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

though 1t is interested only in pure
science" and not in financial rewards.
1t is studying the antiquity of man
and tracing his evolution. It is study
ing botany, plants and forestry all over
the world. 1t is observing the astron-
omy OF the sun. moon and stars and
the tides and magnetic currents /:
supports expeditions of scientists Of all
kinds and TO all parts OF the world.
We realize that. from the days OF the
Garden of Eden. man has had 10 defend
himself and family from the ferocious
beasts OF the forest and great fishes of
the sea. but We may not know that
more serious menaceS come from
earth's $4,000 kinds Of insects known
10 man. and the 1000. 900 other species
not yet classified. The scientists of the
Smithsonian are studying these insects.
and noting what are mems friends and
what kinds are dangerous or injurious
II interchanges scientific reports and
books with thousands OF other research.
ers throughout the world
As DR.. Abbot says III the Smith
sonian Gid not exist. the National Mu.
scum. the Geological Park, the interna-
tlosai exchanges OF scientific knowl-
edge and the scientific department OF the
Library OF Congress tknown as the
Smithsonian Department of the IL.
brarY would all continue. supported
BY the Government They all spranr
from the Smithsonian Institution, vet
the institution itself is not supported
mainly by the Governmental is not a
Government institution.
IL receives. as income from It's en-
oowment by Smithson, Sos. 600 which
Is under the unrestricted control OF It's
board OF managers, for use in its MAIN
tenance.
In addition. II has funds derived from
other requests. giving a revenue OF $T0,-
600. which must be used for specific
purposes; also an income from the
rFeer oequest. which must be used for
developing and maintaining the Frerr
Gallery. Congress appropriates for the
TVe puolic bureaus under Smithsonian
SUPERVISION an annual average o..
ssoo'uoo' nht that does not SO TO main
TAIN the institution itself or any o, IFS
scientific research enterprises.
It's pure science" botanists sunp,v
basic information to the economic hi.
anists OF the Department OF Arri-
culture; It's ichthyologists do the same
Tor the FISH Commission: It's ethnolo.
gusts guide the Bureau OF Indian Az.
iairs. Its biologists aid the Geolorira,
Survey, and In the World War its opti-
cal experts lay the basis of revolution
airy improvements In searchiishts.
All scientists recognize that presen,
knowledge but touches the shore az an
unlimited ocean OF facts vet unknown
The Smithsonian Institution "a one vnsr
question mark before the closed book
Of mystery.
II seeks to learn II solar rays may be
used directly TO create power.
Can studies OF solar variation foretell
weather condltions9--~a many other
mysteries to be sought out in future
study.
II Is always cramped for ADEQUATE
funds. Tor the Government does not
give generously To pure science"
Yet. out of II came the telephone. the
fundamental principle OF aviation. tho
broadcasting OF the radio and the basis
for the work Of nearly all scientific ae-
tiv!ties Of the country, Thirty years
ago Prof Holden, director OF the Lick
Observatory declared: IL 10 not un~
likely that the greatest service Of the
Smithsonian Institution 10 the country
has been the constant exhibition in It's
general policy and Its daily relations
for half u century. of u high and gen
erous ideal Any sketch OF It's services
would he most inadequate which failed
10 emphasize this fundamental point"
James Smithaon was an Ehglishman
a natural son Of the Duke of Nprth~
cumberland because Of that bar ain
lister" la his birth, no could never yet
honorable recognition In England. al
though he did genuinely valuable sal"
entinc work EmhitteIed by that fact,
he wrote his viii IN iaao, bcQueathlng
all his property Ssao 900 tlrst, for life
Ia u nephew, with the provlso that II
the nephew died without heirs II ahonld
bs given In trusl 10 the United states
Government ITO found, al Washington,
under the name Of the Smithsonian In