Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12

difficult to say which was the greater.
Henry was an electrical wizard and his
discovery of the electromagnetic was one
Of his greatest achievements. A good
estimate of him is contained in the
remarks of one of Englands leading
electricians, who says: AT the head Of
this long line of illuStrious investigators
stand the names of Faraday and Henry.
On the foundation stones of truth laid
down by them all subsequent builders
have been content to rest"
Spencer Fulleton Baird. who sue
ceeded Henry, was foremost orni-
biologist and museum administrator,
although he also demonstrated marked
ability as an ichthyologist and piscicul-
turist He was the founder of the
Fish Commission and was appointed its
first commissioner in 1871. serving fer
Is years without salary Congress
compensated his widow after his death
with an appropriation of $4,000 The
old Museum Building was erected
during his administration.
For his investigation in aerodynam-
les and his discovery of the laws of
mechanical flight, most every one IS
familiar with the third secretary
Samuel Pierpont Langley Although
the question has been raised as to who
invented the first man-carrying air
plane, no one has ever attempted to
deny that he made the first sustained
flight with a heavier-than-ai flying
machine on the Potomac River near
Quantico. May s. 1896. nor can this be
taken away from him: That his scien-
tif1c researches in aerodynamicS and his
indefatigable efforts in flight investiga-
tons and experiments at least inspired
all the flying wonders OF the air VIC
are witnessing today.
Charles Doolittle Walcott, who fol-
lowed DR. Langley was paleontol-
ogist and geologist specializing III the
ure -Cambrian fossils Prior TO becom-
ing secretary OF the institution ne was
for a number of years director of the
United States Geological Survey. He
was also at one time president OF the
National Academy of Sciences.
1t has been customary to alternate
the office OF secretary with physicist
and a naturali-.. and since Secretary
Walcott was of the latter branch, the
present secretary. DR.. Charles Greeley
Abbot. was selected from the former
branch of science. He Is an aStron-
omer. and for years as assistant secre~
tary had charge of the astrophysical
observatory He Is member of the
NdliUIlhI ALduSiHS vi ~ A.
ably assisted by Or. Alexander Wet
more. a nationally known ornithologist,
Henry and Baird repoSe in their
eternal sleep in Oak Hill Cemetery;
Langley in Forest Hills Cemetery, Bos-
ton. while Waleott is buried in Rock
Greek Cemetery. along with Richard
Rathhun. assistant secretary, and Will
liam J, RheeS. chief clerk, George
Brown Goode, also an assistant seere-
tarv, is inferred in Oak Hill.
DR.. Robert Ridgway, the employee
with the longest continuous service UNI
der the institution, is also a distin-
guished ornithologiSt His service be-
gan in 1874, and he has served under
all the secretaries Although DR.. w.
II. Holmes. who has charge of the
National Gallery of Art has been
around the Smithsonian for many
wears. his service has not been as con-
ttnuous as that of DR.. Ridgway,
FOR many years after the opening of
the Smithsonian Building the pub
lie schools frequently held their exer-
cises there, and diplomas and medals
were handed 10 the Stud.ouS boys and
girls OF the city r. Of. Henry always
took keen interest In educational
matters. and could t@ depended upon
To deliver the chief - Z the Sery-