Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

After q long effort provision was Sc
cured from Congress so years ago for
the erection of building
National for a national museum in
Museum this city. This project
use "n' had been given stimula-
ton by the Centennial Exposition of
1875, large number of the exhibits at
which had been given to the Govern
ment; with no place for their proper
display. The Star OF March 4, 1879,
says - .a'-' .> et..
thy of the name is a certainty. The
necessary collections were already on
hand and Congress has now authorized
the erection Of a suitable building. Two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars are
appropriated to build fireproof struc-
ture 900 feet square, on the southeastern
part of the Smithsonian grounds. The
work Is to be done under the direction
and supervision of the regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, who at their
last meeting, in anticipation of the ac-
ton by Congress, authorized the execu-
tive committee-Gen. Sherman, Mr.
Peter Parker and Prof. Maclean-to-
gether with the secretary, Prof. Baird
to act as commission representing the
regents in case this duty was imposed
building shall be erected in accordance
with plans now on file with the joint
committee on public buildings and
grounds. No portion of the money APP
propriated to be expended for architec-
tural plans. There will consequently be
no great competition among the archi-
tectS.
THE new building Is to stand to the
east Of the Smithsonian Institution,
leaving roadway between it and the
latter Of not less than so feet, with its
north front on line with the south
face of the buildings Of the Agricultural
Department and the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. It will be seen prominently from
the city looking down Ninth street, as
the Smithsonian Institution catches the
eye from Tenth street. Work will be
begun when the appropriation Is avail
able and 1t Is expected that the building,
which will cover two and quarter
acres, will be completed within a year.
THE collections available are worthy
of the handsome structure to be pro-
vided for them. There are three times
more specimens stored away in the
Smithsonian Building than there is room
to exhibit Constant additions are made.
The Armory Building is packed with
1000 boxes and there are other speci-
when provision is made for their recep-
ton. Many Of the State exhibits and
the collections of every important for
eign government exhibiting at the Gen.
tennial Exposition, so far as they relate
to the animal. vegetable and the mineral
kingdoms and their applications. have
been presented to the United States, in
some cases without any exception what
ever; In others, all except few dupli-
Gates. which were presented to other
foreign commissions or to institutions in
the United States. Moreover, promises
have been made by most Of the foreign
commissioners to complete any portion
illustrating the natural products and
industries of their respective countries
when the arrangement of the collections
reveals the deficiency. Not only what is
useful and instructive, but what Is curl
Gus and costly, has been given us. Five
of the pieces donated are valued at
5000. Siam. China and Japan con-
tribute specimens estimated at 100000
in value. Minton tiles and mosaics and
Eastern bronzes, silks and bamboo ware
are found among the representations of
the natural products, general industries
and educational and scientific methods
of all nations that constitute the mass
Of the exhibits. The collections are
among the finest in the world. When
the design of the National Museum is
fully carried out 1t will be not only an
ornament to the city. but the center Of
q widespread educational influence and (!
the just occasion Of national pride"
Decadence of the Potomac fisheries |
caused considerable concern nifty years !
ago, and efforts |
daS WORKS ana were made to re-
p;v.r po,lu+;or store the produc-
AsoA A0ii"'i0n' tivity of the |
waters. In The Star of |
March 1QT0 iS tho foIIouiY1o rafornNrn |