The Washington times., 1937-05-10
By ]. EARLE MOsER

his department outshlne othe
Federal agencies since 1t received
its brand new building.
One unit designed to carry gu
this idea will be the ambitiousl!
designed museum in the new
South Building, which is to oc
cupy an entire wing on the frs
floor, will cover more than 5000
square feet and will be all SCI
for inspection before midsummer
arrives.
Made principally to show thu
history of the Interior Depart
ment and its subsidiary bureaus
and to illustrate the trend from
exploitation to conservation o.
the country's resources due tc
Interiors constant efforts, the
museums exhibits are now being
prepared by skilled workers al
the Ford Theater and a labora
tory in nearby Virginia.
Something Of a high hat" at
titude toward the usual museum
methods is detected in the de
partment's statement, issued yes
terday, of its intentions. It de
clared:
Destined to tell a running
story through pictures, charts,
maps, models and diagrams ar
ranged in narrative sequence,
the museum will not bother with
case after case Of loosely organ
lied, uncOOrdinated displays of
documents, scientific specimens,
isolated heaps of dry bones or
technical equipment. 1t is in
terested in means of illustrating
ideas rather than in collections
of specimens. Its exhibits will
record the efforts of the depart
ment'S bureaus to conserve the
natural resources of the country,
to save its water, its forests, its
minerals, its wildlife, its beauties
efforts greatly complicated by
the early years in which no
thought was given to anything
but private profit"
Indeed, the unit looms quite
doggy" from plans outlined. Elk
hibit cases are to be Of duSt-proo1
aluminium, scientifically adjusted
to the eye level of those who come
to see and marvel. There will ever
be special floor surfacing tt
lessen the usual museum walking
fatigue" Mr.. Ickes' high powered
press department declares.
With all its material eclat, 1t Il
to be wondered why Interior haI
perennially strayed behind othel
Government departments in per
sonnet activity and general esprit
de corps. There is no Interior re
creational association, no employ
club Of consequence, its ball teamI
never amounted to much and it.
auditorium has heard many a dr.
lecture but seldom, if ever, re
sounded to a play or concert con
Quoted by Interior employees. With
a spic and span new plant, it woulc
seem to be time for the depart
n1ent to wake up to the morale
value Of the numerous activities
foStered progressively at Agricul
ture. Justice, Treasury and Other
units.
Ferdinand Silcox, chief forester
today announced appointment o.
C. L. ForSling as assistant chic
forester in charge Of all research
activities of the Forest Service
Among his responsibilities will
be a nationwide survey Of Amer
ica's timber resources, the frs
ever attempted, which it is hoped
will provide a basis for determin
ing the national forestry policy
for the future. He will also study
the possibilities for forest fire in
surance.
A native Of Nebraska, the new
assistant to Silcox graduated from
the University Of Nebraska after
majoring in forestry, botany and
animal husbandry, and entered
the Government service in 1915
His work during his 22.year tenure
has been almost entirely in the
field.
NOTTCE-Each day The Times
publishes photos Of Government
employees well known to their col
leagues, accompanied with short
biographical sketches. Federal
workers interested in such pic
lures, especially members of or
CARNATIONS, should contact this
desk by Sis p. m, or phone Dis
trict 1000. branch 210. News tips
may win a prize, incidentally.
Mrs. Adele Pfizer, who retired
from the Labor Department sis
years ago, is seriously i'll at Sib
ley Hospital. She is allowed
visitors, however. at specified
hours.
Agriculture Department Play
ers will present three one-act
plays Thursday and Friday, free
OF charge to the public, in the
Agriculture Auditorium, South
Building, Fourteenth and indie
Avenue.
'Frenchie," a comedy by Betty
Bullion. THE Command Per
Torrance" described at Agricul
ture as "a drama of carefully
plotted revenge" and Jazz anc
Minuet," termed "a romance o.
today and yesterday" will com
pose the program.
Rounding out the two days o
entertainment will be the Agri
culture orchestra under Dr.
Walter pa1Ier uyHieh will INrr