Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09

mirable program of organization"
drawn up by the first secretary and
director, that very great scientist and
administrator, Joseph Henry.
The first paragraph of Henry's pro-
gram reads as follows ITO increase
knowledge-It is proposed Cd to
stimulate men Of talent to make
original researches, by offering suitable
rewards for memoirs containing new
truths; and (2l to appropriate annually
portion of the income for particular
researches, under the direction Of
suitable persons. To diffuse knowledge
1t is proposed % to publish series of
periodical reports on the progress of
different branches of knowledge, and
CD to publish occasionally separate
treatises on subjects of general interest"
To direct, stimulate and coordinate
scientific researches and to diffuSe in
formation concerning the results of
scientific research throughout the
world-these have been the grand aims
Of the institution. Aims superbly car
ried out. Indeed, it is doubtful il any
other human institution has accom-
plished greater results in comparison
with means. The achievements of the
institution, or vitality beholden to its
auspices, have been especially remark
able in the fields of meteorology Cthe
Weather Bureau is its child, ichthyol-
ogy, North American archaeology and
eUhnology, astrophysics, aerodynamics
and aeronautics. Samuel Langley, di-
rector from 1887 to 1907. is the most
important name in the science Of aero
nauticS.
Why should the institution be con-
strained to appeal for private aid? No
doubt, largely because of the false pop
ular belief that 1t Is Government
bureau.
1t is not, though it administers seven
scientific bureaus of the Government
because they arose out of Smithsonian
activities. 1t is a private institution
under Government protection. Congress
constituted itself trustee of the fund in
stituted by the 100000 bequeSt of the
EngliShman James SmithSon, which
became available in 1888 and in 1916
passed the act of Incorporation which
prescribed the government Of the tnSti-
tuition and that the principal of the
fund should be permanently invested
and its income only available for use.
Congress has given the institution (none
too generously buildings and equip
lnent and has appropriated for activ-
tiles definitely in the Governments in
terest. But the main work of the
nstitution-namely, disinterested re-
search and publication and diffusion of
scientific knowledge-haS been carried
on mostly through the income of the
| fund whereof Smithsons bequest is the
basis That fund has been frequently
added to, but it is still far too small
! for requirements. 1t would not be amiss
! should it be largely Swelled by contribu-
tions from oil magnates, in view of the
j fact that studies under the institutes
-
F.! foraminifera have brought about the
| principal advance in the geological
/ technique of oil finding"
/ 1t is to rejoice in the passage by the
House of the Cramton bill, which con-
| templates preservation of the Falls of
the Potomac, emparking of the sur
rounding area and construction OF a
parkway along the Potomac from the
Falls to Mount Vernon.
n X "
THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.-I am
not proposing to follow in detail the
developments Of the Naval Conference,
but only to note briefly some of the
more significant. We are told that the
British and American delegates are
consenting to plan under which the
, British and American capital ship fleets
should be reduced to Is vessels each,
and there should be no requirements
as per the schedules of the Washington
treaty. realization of which plan would
involve immediate scrapping of five
battleships by Great Britain and three
by the United States. Presumably the
plan contemplates correspondent action
by Japan, France and Italy, but on this
| head information is lacking. The
Washington treaty, believe, authorizes
the laying down before 1886 Of eight
replacement capital ships by the United