Evening star., 1934-07-08
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

With the nearing completion of the
Archives Temple in which the most
valuable records Of the United States
Government will be fittingly housed
for the first time, and given expert
care to preserve them for future gen.
erations, much thought is being given
TO the selection of q trained archivist
and assistant to take charge Of this
work. Congress passed special legis-
lation providing for tbsse officials
new departure in the Government
service-and for special commission
to pass upon what records would be
preserved. This study has disclosed
that there are already in the Gov
ernment service several who have
made the preservation Of old records
labor of love and have devoted
years to an intensive study, not only
Of the historical value of the records,
but the methods employed in the
great libraries of the world in pre-
serving documents.
Two of the veteran workers in this
field are likely to be placed in charge
of the Archives Temple-Dr. John C..
Fitzpatrick, an historian Of note. who
was employed for more than 81 years
in the manuscript division Of the
Library of Congress and who has car
ried on some of the most important
research work for the Government, Is
considered to be one of the most val
liable men for the ONCE Of archivist.
His name Is receiving most favorable
consideration by the Archives Com
mission and by the President. James
d. Preston, former superintendent Of
the Senate press gallery and now
librarian of the Senate, who has been
given Nationwide recognition for his
work In overhauling the old Senate
records, rescuing many Of them which
had for years been suffering deteriora-
ton from improper storage and hav-
ing them scientifically restored" is
mentioned by the commission as
probable choice for assistant archivist.
Mr.. Preston has been making an in
tensive study of methods Of preserva-
ton and Is carrying his personal study
into the worlds most famous libraries
In Rome, Paris and other Old World
capitals, where the preservation of
documents has been made o special
science.
DR.. Fitzpatrick has for many years
been recognized by members Of the
House and Senate as Of outstanding
value to the Government because Of
his special devotion to Government
manuscripts-with the reputation that
no man living has q more intimate
knowledge of the most important
manuscripts of the United States Gov
eminent. He is not only historian
himself, but has done research work
for other historians and biographers
studying the original manuscript. He
has three degrees+M. A. from St
Mary's College. Pennsylvania: L. H
D. from Washington University, and
Lit. D. from Washington and Lee
University.
DR.. Fitzpatrick served in the manu-
script division of the Library of Con-
gress from 1897 to 1928, and for the
latter 26 years was assistant chief of
the division. Recently he has served
as editor IN chief for the United
States George Washington Bicenten-
nial Commission in the publication
of some IS volumes Of the "Definitive
Edition of the Writings of George
Washington" He has spent practi-
cally his entire lifetime In an inten-
sive study of American history from
original manuscript sources.
He has been editor and compiler of:
Calendars of Washington Manuscript
Correspondence with the Continental
Congress; Journals of the Conti-
mental Congress; Military Corre-
spondence of the Revolution; List of
Early Washington Papers; "Benja-
min Franklin Manuscripts; Vernon
Wagner Navy Papers; and The
Diaries of George Washington" He
was editor Of The Autobiography of
Martin Van Buren,"
He is q member Of the Public
Archives Commission, of the Ameri-
can Historical Association, LInstitut
Francais de Washington, was presi-
dent of the American Catholic His
torical Society, q member Of the New
York Historical Society. the American
Antiquarian Society and the WASH
ington Society of Alexandria.
His appointment will be applauded
by members Of Congress because for
the past quarter of a century he has
done important research work for
practically all of the more prominent
members of both House and Senate.