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Wednesday, December 16, 1936.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

STATEMENTS OF DR. C. D. ABBOT, SECRETARY; DR. ALEXANDER WETMORE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY; H. W. DORSEY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY; JOHN E. GRAF, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, NATIONAL MUSEUM; M. W. STIRLING, CHIEF, BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY; W. P. TRUE, EDITOR

HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Mr. Woodrum. We will now take up the items of appropriation for the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Abbot, have you any general statement you wish to make before we take up the various items of the appropriation ?

Dr. Abbot. Mr. Chairman, I would like just for a moment to recall to you something that is familiar, that the Smithsoian Institution was founded by private funds of an Englishman, and that for the first 12 years after the act of Congress in 1846 there was no appropriation made from the National Government. But during that time the National Museum, the Bureau of International Exchanges, and what has now become the Weather Bureau were started by the private initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.

These agencies partly carried on the purposes of the founder: "'The increase and diffusion of knowledge among men."

The National Museum and the forerunner of the Weather Bureau both added to knowledge and aided in the diffusion of knowledge. What has become the International Exchange also carries on the diffusion of knowledge between the Old World and the New.

In all of our history since, when other agencies have been added, they, like these three which I have mentioned, have become of national interest and importance.

An illustration of that is the National Museum. In the first place it is the repository of those specimens which represent the fauna, the flora, and the historical development, the geological history of this country, and to a large extent, of the world. It is used by the Department of Agriculture in the National Herbarium; also those parts devoted to insects and to birds. It is used by the Geological Survey in that part that is devoted to geological specimens; b}< the Bureau of Fisheries, in the part that is devoted to the preservation of specimens of fish.

So that I regard the exhibition feature which to many people is the sole function of a National Museum, as entirely subordinate to its purpose as a repository of the treasures of exploration and collection which are the basis on which a great deal, not only of scientific knowledge, but of utilitarian values, is set up.

RADIO ACTIVITIES OF THE SMITHSONIAN [NSTITUTION

In the past 6 months there has come about another connection with a department of the Government which aids very much in the diffusion of knowledge.

As you know, sir, the progress of radio 1ms become so extensive that it is a foremost feature of the life of our time.

The Office of Education, wishing to give to our people really worthwhile programs, which were instructive and educational, made an arrangement with the Smithsonian Institution some 6 months ago whereby a weekly broadcast is made, in cooperation with the National Broadcasting Co., of a half hour on every Sunday.

In these programs there are given, in part by the aid of actors and dialogue, the stories of very interesting things which are to be found not only in the National Museum but in other departments of the Smithsonian Institution, including those which are supported by private funds as well as those carried on by the national appropriations.

These broadcasts have attracted a very wide attention, not only in the United States but in other countries. We obtain from interested listeners most extraordinarily appreciative letters in very great numbers, showing how valuable the collections and the work of the Institution are now becoming through this new association.

We have here the editor, Mr. True who has had this cooperation with the Department of Education particularly in his care. I would like to have him tell the committee how extensive and how appreciative are the comments which are received from interested listeners.

Mr. Woodrum. We shall be very glad to have a statement from Mr. True.

Mr. True. We started this program early in June. We have had now just one-half year of broadcasting once a week.

The program is now given on 58 stations and a short-wave station, so that it reaches not only every State in the United States, but all over South America and also England and other European countries, and we have received responses from all those regions.

The Office of Education receives the mail, because the program is put on the air through that office. The average mail in the last few weeks has been between three and four thousand letters a week, which, they say, is the largest number of letters for a sustaining program that they have any record of. Of course, commercial programs get large amounts of mail for certain broadcasts, but this is a sustained program that goes on every week.

These letters are most amazingly appreciative of the kind of work that we are doing. Many of them say, "This is the finest thing on the air. Why has not this been done before?'" and that sort of tiling.

Mr. Fitzfatrick. How long do you broadcast?

Mr. True. One-half hour Sunday morning. The programs are in the form of dramatized accounts not only of exhibits in the National Museum but also of researches of the Institution which they arc able to popularize sufficiently to dramatize.

Commercial broadcasters estimate that for every person who writes in as a result of a program there are 5.000 listeners who do not write. Using those figures, we estimate that our average audience has been 5.000,000.

Mr. Fitzpatkick. When do you broadcast?

Mr. True. These are Sunday broadcasts.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. What time on Sunday?

Mr. True. 11: 30 a. m. over the red network of the National Broadcasting Co.

Mr. Woodrum. Who is responsible for the program?

Mr. True. The Smithsonian program was initiated as a W. P. A. project under the Office of Education. That office provides the technical radio personnel and puts the programs on the air in the New York studio of the National Broadcasting Co. The Smithsonian provides the information and cooperates in the preparation of the scripts.

Mr. Woodrum. That is the Office of Education of the Department of the Interior?

Mr. True. That is correct.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. Does the Government pay any money for this?

Mr. True. No ; the time is given to us free. The National Broadcasting Co. contributes the time, which they estimate in 1 year would be worth a half million dollars.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. There is no cost whatever in connection with this?

Mr. True. No cost whatever to the Government, except a W. P. A. allotment for certain personnel, and no cost at all to the Smithsonian.

Dr. Abbot. The broadcast is given out under the title "The World is Yours."

Mr. Woodrum. That is very interesting. Doctor.

Dr. Abbot. With that introductory, we might proceed with the estimates, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Woodrum. Yes; and if you wish to amplify your remarks with reference to this matter, Mr. True, you have permission to do that.

Mr. True. Thank you; I should like to.

At the National Conference on Educational Broadcasting, held last week in Washington, the universal use of radios in this country was emphasized, leading to the obvious conclusion that the character of radio programs will have a marked effect on the American people over a period of time. With this in mind, the United States Office of Education is conducting experiments to determine the best method of presenting educational matter over the radio. In discussing these experiments, both Secretary Ickes and Commissioner Stuclebaker called particular attention to the Smithsonian program as being a type of educational broadcast that had been demonstrated to be both informative and very popular.

The mail response to these programs has been very large from the start, the number of letters received in recent weeks averaging about 3,000. A considerable proportion of these come from school teachers and others engaged in educational work, and the letters from this type of listener are the most enthusiastic regarding the Smithsonian programs. The radio is apparently destined to be of the greatest usefulness to the Smithsonian Institution in carrying out one of its main functions, "the diffusion of knoAvledge."

salaries and expenses, secretary's office

Mi-. Woodrum. The first item is for salaries and expenses, as follows :

For expenses <>f the general administrative office, Smithsonian Institution, compensation of necessary employees, traveling expenses, purchase of books and periodicals, supplies and equipment, and any other necessary expenses, $36,330.

/

280 INDEPENDENT OFFICES APPROPRIATION BILL, 19 38

Dr. Abbot. This appropriation provides for the salaries of employees concerned with the general administration of the several Government bureaus under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution and includes a small sum of miscellaneous office supplies and other routine expenses connected with this work. The funds appropriated are all required to meet the minimum responsibilities of this office.

The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation for 1937.

Mr. Woodbum. Your estimate for 1988 is the same as the appropriation has been for the last 2 years, practically; you have the same personnel?

Dr. Abbot. Yes, sir.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES

Mr. Woodrum. The next item is international exchanges and reads as follows:

International exchanges: For the system of international exchanges between the United States and foreign countries, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including necessary employees, and purchase of necessary books and periodicals, and traveling expenses, .S41,li00.

Dr. Abbot. This appropriation provides for carrying on the exchange of governmental, scientific, and literary publications between the United States and foreign countries in accordance with the Convention of Brussels of March 15, 1886, to which the United States was a signatory and under which the Smithsonian Institution acts as the agent for the United States Government. The publications received from foreign countries in exchange for United States Government publications are deposited in the Library of Congress.

The funds available are barely sufficient to cover salaries of the personnel required, freight charges on shipments, and the small amount required for miscellaneous office supplies.

The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation for 1937.

Mr. Woodrum. Your estimate for this item for the coming year is the same as the appropriation for the current year?

Dr. Abbot. Exactly.

Mr. Woodrum. Y^ou have the same personnel?

Mi-. Dorset. We have the same personnel and the same estimate.

May 1 say that there has been a considerable increase in the first 5 months in the year in the amount of publications handled. We have had nearly 8,000 pounds more during the past 5 months than in the corresponding period hist year. So that if that continues we will hardly have money enough to keep the service open until June 30. But, of course, we cannot tell what is going to come in the last part of the year.

AMERICA N Kill XOLOGY

Mr. Woodrum. Your next item is for American ethnology, as follows:

American ethnology: Fur continuing ethnological researches among the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii, the excavation and preservation of archeologic remains under the direction of" the Smithsonian Institution, including necessary employees, the preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and

illustrations, the purchase of books and periodicals, and traveling expense, $58,730.

Mr. Stirling. The work under, this appropriation is concerned with investigations of the languages, customs, and history of the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii. It also provides for the study of archeology as related to these races and for the preservation of archeological sites. The urgency of this work is indicated by the continuing disappearance of the few survivors of a considerable number of tribes as well as many older Indians who alone are familiar with the original tribal customs and culture. With their death there will be lost forever all opportunity for acquiring knowledge of the languages and cultures of these native American groups. In addition, the looting of ancient village sites of extinct aboriginal peoples is proceeding rapidly and with them there is destroyed the story of our predecessors on this continent.

The discovery by the Bureau of American Ethnology of the now famous Lindenmeier site in Colorado which was proved to be the most ancient human habitation site yet found in the new world is recognized by anthropologists as one of the outstanding events in American archeology.

The funds available under this appropriation are all required to carry on the present activities of the Bureau which are of fundamental importance.

The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation for 1937.

STUDIES BEING MADE IN AEEA NEAR FORT COLLINS, COLO.

Mr. Woodrum. Your appropriation or estimate for 1938 is the same as your appropriation for the current year ?

Dr. Abbot. Yes. Mr. Stirling, the Chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology, is here and, if possible, he would like to make some statement in regard to this work.

Mr. Woodrum. We shall be glad to hear him.

Mr. Stirling. Most of you gentlemen are familiar, I believe, with the purposes and the work of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Our studies are concerned with the American Indians, all aspects of the American Indian; their vital statistics, their customs, their history, and their archeology or prehistory.

At the present time, of course, our field work lias been greatly curtailed on account of the reduced appropriations, and we are asking for the coming year the same amount that we have had for the past few years, an amount which lias been reduced to an absolute minimum of operating expenses.

The work in which we are most interested at the present time is the continuation of the excavations at the so-called Lindenmeier site in Colorado, which is the only habitation site yet discovered of earliest man in America. This is a site dating back to immediately after the retreat of the last glaciers at the end of the Pleistocene period, and we estimate that date variously as between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago.

This is a large site covering several acres. It is covered by 20 feet of sterile deposits that have to he removed to get ai the layer of pay dirt where the relics of these people are found.

We have been getting a rich harvest of material.

We are hoping, of course, to continue this work, because it is generally recognized throughout the world of anthropology as the most

important archeological find made in the last decade or more anywhere in the world, since it casts so much light on that interesting and very obscure period of our own early history—namely, that dealing with the first human inhabitants of America.

Remains of the projectile points, knives, and other stone implements of these people have been found in direct association with the bones of the mammoth, with extinct forms of camel, and with several forms of extinct bison, showing that a cold-weather fauna lived in the region at that time.

We are hoping that in a large dwelling site of tin-- sort we will eventually find some skeletal remains of the people themselves.

So far we have not done so, but at the same time we have only scratched the site and it is quite possible that we will be able to intersect some burials.

The rest of the work that we are doing is being confined principally to rescue work of an ethnological nature among those tribes where the last old survivors, who are carriers of the culture, arc still living but will not last much longer. We have been doing that sort of thing for a good many years, trying particularly to specialize on the groups that are in danger of immediate extinction, feeling that it i.s more important to preserve these things, while possible, than to put in time with some of the living cultures that are still functioning.

Mr. Woodrum. How many people have you working on that site in Colorado that you spoke of?

Mr. Stirling. The work is in charge of Dr. F. H. H. Robert?-. He has been able to conduct the work by getting a group of volunteer student assistants, whom he secures without having to pay salaries. These men are furnished by the various departments of anthropology from Harvard. Columbia. University of California, Chicago. and other universities where they are interested in this subject, because it provides excellent training for their graduate student-.

Mr. WoODRUM. They do the work of digging and excavating?

Mr. Stirling. They do the digging, and they also do supervisory work. We hire a few laborers on the site, but the bulk of the work is actually done by these trained men themselves.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. You do not have to pay for keeping them! 1

Mr. Stirling. We maintain a camp. The site is about 25 miles from Fort Collins, which is the nearest town. So it is necessary to establish a camp during the summer, on the site. and. of course, it is necessary to supply food for the crew. These volunteers receive no salary.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. Do you get any money from any other source besides the Government '.

Mr. Sterling. We do in this case. The Smithsonian Institution has made it possible to carry on the work by furnishing from their private funds sufficient money to keep the work going.

Mr. Woodrtjm. This amount of money does not by any means carry on that work, does it?

Dr. Abbot. We make a grant every year in order to help Dr. Roberts with his work out there.

Mr. Woodrum. Is there anything else you wish to present on that subject?

Mr. Stirling. Xo; I think that is all.

Mr. Woodrum. If you wish to amplify j^our remarks when you revise them, you may do so. Mr. Stirling. Thank you.

ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY

Mr. Woodrum. Your next item, on page 198, is the Astrophysical Observatory, and is as follows:

Astrophysical Observatory: For maintenance of the Astrophysical Observatory, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including assistants, purchase of books, periodicals, and apparatus, making necessary observations in high altitudes, repairs and alterations of buildings, preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations, traveling expenses, and miscellaneous expenses, $30,850.

Dr. Abbot. The work under this appropriation is concerned with the investigations of solar radiation, the driving force for all life. No other establislnnent in the world duplicates them. The accurate measurement of variations in solar radiation, supported by a careful anah'sis of such measures, has given indications of a definite relationship between the variations in solar radiation and weather changes. Long-range weather predictions both of temperature and precipitation seem to be practicable from solar observations. Unfortunately, solar-radiation reports obtained from the three present observing stations are not sufficiently complete to make it possible to reduce long-range weather forecasting to practice. Other stations are needed. Yet the continuation of present records will make possible more careful investigations on this'subject which is of such fundamental economic importance to industry and agriculture. The funds available under this appropriation are all required to carry on the present minimum activities of the Observatory and are not sufficient to provide for any additional observing stations.

The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation for 1937.

Mr. Woodrum. The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation ?

Dr. Abbot. The estimate is the same as was appropriated last year.

I had hoped to obtain a good deal larger sum in order that I might have set up seven additional solar stations, but, although the item passed the Senate in the last Congress, it was cut off in the conference committee, and the Bureau of the Budget declined to recommend it this year.

The cause of that wish is that the work has shown that it is in every degree probable that had we this additional observing equipment we would be enabled to furnish to the Weather Bureau such data as would enable them to make detailed forecasts for 2 weeks in advance.

This probability is recognized bv the Weather Bureau and approved by the Chief and his principal assistants, and also by such men •i- Dr. Millikan, of the California Institute: Dr. Compton, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: and Dr. Bowman, of John Hopkins University.

I regretted very much that this amplification of the work was cui off. because I am getting along in years and I feared it would be impossible for me to have a part in it much later, because it involves going to mountains and wildernesses where the conditions are pretty forbidding, and as I get older and older. I feel less able to go to such places and make selections.

I would not be willing to send out assistants actually to establish

such a station unless I wont myself to examine the locality and the surroundings. Many parts of the world are not safe for such observatories.

However, it has been cut off by the Bureau of the Budget, and we try to go along with the Bureau of the Budget in these matter-.

It seems, however, as if it were a very promising and a very useful undertaking if it could be done, as these gentlemen agree with me that it affords every probability of being able to make detailed forecasts of the weather for at least 2 weeks in advance.

AVe are also, Mr. Chairman, studying the results of the last 15 years to see how the long-range changes in solar radiation affect the temperature and the rainfall, and things which depend 14)011 the weather. It is becoming more and more accepted. I think, by meteorologists and physicists, that I have shown that there is in the weather a 23-year, a 40-year, and a 92-year cycle of events.

Take, for example, the great drought in the Northwest. Moderate droughts occur every 23 years; the great drought occurs every 40 years. In the decade 1840 to 1850, there was a very serious drought. In the decade of the nineties there was another, and now in the decade of the 19)30's there is the third, and I suppose there will be another one beginning about 1975.

This result is confirmed by a study that I have just recently made of measurements of tree rings in Vermont and New Hampshire over a period of 400 years by Professor Lyon, of Dartmouth College. I have taken his original values, and find that this 46-year decrease in precipitation has occurred regularly for 400 year-.

So that there is every reason to believe that the great droughts in the Northwest, which have been such a feature recently, will have occurred every 46 years for several centuries, and probably for much longer.

The interesting thing is that the low level of the Great Lakes is found to occur at about the same times that there occur the narrow tree rings in Vermont.

So that we can trace a close connection between the drought in Vermont and the drought in the Northwest.

These is. however, Mr. Chairman, no increase asked for, and I do not know that there is anything further to say.

Mr. WiGGLESWORTH. How much did they cut you. Doctor?

Dr. Abbot. We asked for $200,000 in addition to this, sir, in order that we might establish the seven stations. That estimate was approved by the President and the Bureau of the Budget last Congress, but it failed in the conference committee.

Mr. WooDRUM. It was a deficiency bill and it vvns cut out. Mr. Wigglesworth.

NATIONAL MUSEUM SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Mr. WoonRUM. We will now take up the National Museum, maintenance and operation, which item is as follows:

For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhibition and safe-keeping of collections; heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and telephonic service, repairs and alterations of buildings, shops, and sheds, including approaches and all necessary material; personal services, and traveling and

other necessary incidental expenses, $144,840, of which $10,450 shall be available only for installation of a water main and water line and the purchase of fire hose.

Dr. Wetmoke. This appropriation deals with the maintenance and operation of the Museum buildings under the administration of the Smithsonian Institution and provides for salaries of the mechanical force, for repairs and alterations of buildings in the Museum group, comprising the Natural History Building, Arts and Industries Building, Aircraft Building, South Shed, and the Smithsonian Building, for the purchase of electricity necessary for lighting the buildings, and for telegraphic and telephonic services. It also provides for such items as exhibition and storage cases and other appliances and containers for exhibiting, storing, and safeguarding the national collections, which compare favorably with the great museum collections of the world, as they now number over 15,000,000 specimens and represent the wide field concerned with the achievements and interests of man. Present funds available under this appropriation are all required for the maintenance and operation of the Museum buildings and no portion of it can be used to cover the work included in the increases shown below.

The increase in appropriation for 1938 is explained as follows: (1) Increase, miscellaneous expenditures, $10,450.

The foregoing increase in appropriation is explained as follows:

(1) $3,500 increase for a.main to furnish additional water supply to the Natural History Building, Tenth Street and Constitution Avenue.

The building is supplied now entirely through one 6-inch main which has been in service for 26 years. This is not adequate for our present needs. Another connection to the District mains should be made not only to more fully supply our daily requirements for water but as a safeguard in case of fire or other emergency.

(2) $4,750 increase for a new high-pressure water line to supply the fire-hose outlets in the Natural History Building.

The present line which serves the fire-hose nozzles in the Natural History Building is now inadequate to meet any fire hazard, a condi -tion recognised by the District fire department and Federal Fire Council 7 years ago. The situation has recently become acute owing to a collection of rust and scale in the pipes which has greatly reduced the capacity in the line. Some of the more seriously rusted portions have been replaced, but since the entire line is affected, this condition can only be remedied by renewing it completely. At times it is impossible to get water to the top floor, which is filled with stored specimens and where the greatest fire hazard exists.

(3) $2,200 increase for the purchase of fire hose.

The present fire hose in the Natural History Building is now 26 years old and is entirely unsafe to use. With the renewal of the high-pressure water line in the building, it is planned to reduce the outlets from 2!/> to 2 inches, in order that the hose can be more readily handled in case fire should break out in the crowded storage sections of the Museum. A complete overhauling of our fire-protection system which is proposed in the increases recommended will make it possible to insure the preservation of the highly valuable collections now stored on the top floor and laboratories.

Mr. Woodrum. Your estimate for 1938 is $144,840. approximately $10,000 more than the appropriation for 1937.

Dr. Wetmore, have you any statement that you wish to make on this item in general '.

Dr. Wetmore. The committee will recall that the function of the National Museum is the preservation and exhibition of the collections of the Government in natural history, history, and the industries.

The past year has been most interesting in that we have had the largest attendance in our public halls and exhibitions in the history of the organization. The total was 1,973,673 for the period.

The previous highest point came in 1929 and 1930.

RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTION OF SPECIMENS

The additions to the national collections during the past fiscal year have been important, as always, and have run to a total of 486,581 individual specimens. This is about the average in the usual year. I will say, as I have on previous occasions, that I suppose we refuse about as much material as we select for permanent preservation. We take only those things offered to us that seem to be important and that should be preserved.

Our accessions come from three principal sources—from gift-, from expeditions financed ordinarily by the Smithsonian Institution or by donations to the Institution, and to a small extent from purchase.

As in previous years, I have brought with me to show the members of the committee a few examples indicative of what we receive from these different sources that may be of interest to you.

In the line of gifts, here is an Indian peace pipe of catlinite, very finely inlaid in silver, that comes from the Plains Indians of Nebraska. It is probably somewhere between 150 and 200 years old. and is a fine a specimen of the kind as I have seen. It was used and smoked in peace ceremonials with Indian tobacco.

Here is a rather curious object known as a bird -tone from Kentucky. The actual use of these figures, which are of Indian origin. is not known. They come from a limited area in Kentucky. Tennessee. Ohio, and Indiana, and are so popular among collectors that nowadays large numbers of them are manufactured. It is sometimes difficult to tell modern specimens from the old ones, and we have a good many submitted to us by private collectors for determination as to whether they are authentic.

Mr. WoODRUM. ""ion mean that stone is found in that shape or is shaped in that way \

Mr. Wetmore. It was shaped in that way by Indian-.

Mr. Woodrum. How is it used, as an ornament or a weapon?

Mi'. Wetmore. Possibly as an emblem of office or of authority. The actual purpose is not definitely known. That specimen undoubtedly is pre-Columbian: that is. of an age before Columbus came to America. It is a fine example of its kind.

Here is an example of work from Oklahoma that is quite remarkable, a fan that is used in some of the ceremonies connected with the peyote cult. This gift, from a friend of tic Museum, is an excellent example of modern bead and feather work.

Expeditions during the year, financed in large part by the Smithsonian Institution, have brought us valuable specimens in large numbers.

This past season we have had two parties in Alaska, one under Dr. Hrdlicka, working 'on Kodiak Island and, in the Aleutian Islands, studying the remains of ancient people who were there before the Russians came over on their voyages of discovery.

In addition to that, in cooperation with the National Geographic Society of Washington, we have had another party at Cape Prince of Wales in Bering Strait, studying Eskimo remains on the route that man is supposed to have used when he came from Asia to America.

This figurine is from the Bering Sea area. It is made of fossil ivory and is supposed to be a portrait. It probably had some ceremonial use.

Here is a curious labret or lip ornament, from Kiska Island in the Aleutian group, that was worn as a decoration through a hole pierced in the lower lip. It is made of ivory and is remarkable in having a decorated wooden plug in the center. It is the first of its particular type that we have ever seen.

Another expedition to Alaska was concerned with the collection of minerals. Here is a garnet from near Wrangel in the original rock in which it was formed. And here are specimens of the same type of garnet that have been weathered out so that they were found loose in the ground. You will notice their size, which is quite remarkable, and their rather uniform shape, which is interesting.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. Have they any value?

Dr. Wetmore. Very little. It is unfortunate that they are fractured in such a way that their gem value is small.

Mr. Wigglesworth. What is the material imbedded in here [indicating specimen] ?

Dr. Wetmore. A mica schist; rather, a soft rock from which the garnets weather quite readily. It is interesting to note that recently there has been found a deposit of the same type of rock here in the District of Columbia, with tiny garnets imbedded in it. Of course, there were none nearly as large as these.

I myself have just returned from a trip into the highlands of Guatemala, where I have been occupied in collecting specimens of birds for the National Museum. I have brought with me a few of these specimens to show you.

Here is a water bird, a species of grebe, which is restricted to one lake in the highlands of Guatemala and is found nowhere else in the world. We have never before had a specimen of it in the Museum. The lake, known as Lake Atitlan, is 10 or 12 miles long, lies in a basin in the mountains, and has three volcanoes, one of them active, on its shores. Why this bird lives there and is not found in nearby lakes, we do not know.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. What is it called ?

Dr. Wetmore. A grebe, a pied-billed grebe. We have a species similar to it in the United States, but considerably smaller. Ordinarily in this country we call them hell divers. 1 may repeat that

114681—37 19

why this large form should be confined to this one lake is a question that no one can answer.

Merely indicative of some of the variety in the kinds of birds in the collections that I obtained, I have here five small specimens, interesting for their pleasing colors.

That is a mannikin that you have in your hand [indicating]. These three are small warblers, and here is a little tanager.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. Where were these gotten?

Mr. Wetmore. In Guatemala. As I say, I have just returned, as I did my last collecting there 10 days ago.

The specimens shown are study skins and are in the form in which we prepare them in the field. They are kept for scientific research in our collections.

As for purchase, we have in the Smithsonian Institution certain special funds the income of which is devoted to the acquirement of minerals.

In this box the bottom specimen is a scapolite. You will notice the peculiar band of light that goes across the specimen as it is shifted from side to side, a peculiarity of that mineral.

The other specimen is a zircon from Burma, a very fine representation of that stone.

Mr. Woodrtjm. It is something like a ruby, is it not?

Dr. Wetmore. It is more like a diamond, but is a much softer mineral.

This is a ruby crystal from Burma, one of the finest we have seen. It is quite a remarkable thing, one of the outstanding individual specimens received in that department this year.

Mr. Woodrum. Do they make rubies from that?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes; ruby gems are cut from such material.

Mr. Woodrum. Are the specimens usually that large ?

Dr. Wetmore. No. It is unusual to find one as large as that.

Mr. Woodrum. Is it quite valuable?

Dr. Wetmore. It is worth $550.

The specimens I have just shown you are indicative, Mr. Chairman, of the type of materials included in the specimens received during the year. The actual additions this past year, as I said in the beginning, numbered 486,581 individual specimens.

Mr. Fitzpatrick. Is this put through any process to bring out this light [indicating specimen] ?

Dr. Wetmore. No. That is the original color. The ordinary zircon, as sold in the market, in color resembles the white diamond and has a great deal of luster. When found, zircons are brown. These brown stones are put in sand, brought to a certain temperature, and held there for a definite period of time, when they become clear. The best ones retain this color. Some of the poorer ones become pinkish again after a while.

To my mind the zircon in beauty is the equal of the diamond. It has the same amount of fire, sometimes more, and has the definite value of cheapness, so that one does not need to be afraid of theft.

Mr. Woodrum. Are they expensive?

Dr. Wetmore. No; not very. They are worth around $8 or $10 a carat. This one is exceptional and is worth $99. A diamond that, large would be almost beyond price.

ADDITIONAL WATEB MAIN TO NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING

In our appropriation we are asking for certain increases under the first heading of maintenance and operation, that are concerned entirely with the safeguarding of the buildings and the collections from fire.

The first is an item of $3,500 for an additional main to bring water to the National History Building at Tenth Street and Constitution Avenue.

At the present time we have one 6-inch main that is bringing water to this building. It is the only one we have had in the 26 years the building has been occupied. It is not adequate for our needs.

In the top floor of the Natural History Building we do not have adequate water pressure a good deal of the time. Even on the third floor, where my office is located, when water is being drawn in quantity on the lower floors there is often difficulty in getting water in the washrooms. If anything should happen to the one main that we now have, our water supply would be cut off entirely. The matter is definitely one that should be corrected without delay.

The item implies the construction of an additional connection to the water main on Constitution Avenue. The estimate covers the cost of the pipe, the various fittings, and the labor in making the installation, both to the main and in our own building.

HIGH-PRESSURE WATER LINE TO NATIONAL HISTORY BUILDING

The second item is $4,750 for a new high-pressure water line to supply the fire-hose outlets in this same Natural History Building. We have a low-pressure line there at the present time, installed when the building was built 26 years ago. The line has deteriorated through age and where we have had to replace sections of it, we have found that it had been filled up in large part with scale, due to rust and deterioration of the pipe. It is not safe, and it is not adequate for our present needs.

With this money, we plan to install a new line through the basement of the building that will supply the risers going up to the fire hose on the various floors. This is an important and necessary thing.

REPLACEMENT OP FIRE HOSE

The next item of $2,200 is for the replacement of fire hose. Again, the fire hose we have was installed 26 years ago. Fire hose deteriorates with age, of course. We have kept ours usable this long by cutting off small sections at the water connection at regular intervals to overcome the rotting that is brought about by seepage of water from the valves.

We have come to a point where we can no longer do this.

The present hose is 2^ inches in diameter. We plan to replace it with a 2-inch hose. Modern experience has shown that a 2^-inch hose is not successful in a building like the museum, because ordinarily it takes three men to handle a hose of that size. In narrow corridors and in crowded rooms it is not practicable to have that many men, in many cases, on one hose. We plan a 2-inch hose that can be managed by one or two men for replacement.

These three items are all concerned with fire protection, and are necessary and important. They have been investigated by a special agent sent down by the Bureau of the Budget and have been included b}^ them in our estimate after that examination.

Mr. Woodrum. That accounts for $10,450 additional in your estimate?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodrum. Otherwise your appropriation is the same?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodrum. And your personnel and administrative expenses are the same ?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

PRESERVATION OF COLLECTIONS

Mr. Woodrum. Your next item is preservation of collections, as follows:

Preservation of collections: For continuing preservation, exhibition, and increase of collections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, and from other sources, including personal services, traveling expenses, purchasing and supplying uniforms to guards and elevator conductors, postage stamps and foreign postal cards and all other necessary expenses, and not exceeding §5.500 for preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations for. publications, and not exceeding $3,000 for purchase of books, pamphlets, and periodicals, $609,380.

Dr. Wetmore. The funds under this appropriation provide for all expenses of the National Museum not carried specifically in other appropriations, It includes the principal funds for the maintenance of the national collections relating to arts and industries, anthropology, biology, geology, and American history. The appropriation covers the salary roll for the curatorial staff, as well as the guard, labor, and char forces. Under it there is carried on the work of identifying, classifying, exhibiting, and storing the national collections relating to anthropology, biology, geology, history, and the arts and industries, the preparation of reports presenting the results of study of these collections, expenses in connection with additions to the collections, and the greater part of the cost of the maintenance of the extensive public exhibits of the Museum which are housed in three buildings and a portion of a fourth. It provides also for books for the Museum library and for foreign postage used in the transaction of Museum business. Over 95 percent of the appropriation is allotted for salaries and the remainder is required to conduct the restricted activities of the Museum.

The increase in appropriation for 1938 is explained as follows:

(1) Increase, personal services, $4,800.

The foregoing increase in appropriation is to cover the salaries of four additional guards. The Museum staff of guards at the present strength is inadequate to perform the watch service necessary to protect the valuable exhibits in the National Museum. Further, with the present dangerously undermanned watch force, it is impossible to give the guards a fair compensation of excused leave privilege for overtime Sunday and holiday service. To provide sufficient guard service and to allow a 6-dav Aveek, there are required not less than 14 additional guards, of which 4 are indicated to be added at this time. These four extra positions will enable us to give a much

fairer treatment to our present guard force and still maintain the present guard stations which are all required to protect the collections.

ADDITIONAL GUARDS

Mr. Woodrum. Your estimate for 1938 is $609,380, as against an appropriation for the current year of $604,580, a proposed increase of $4,800; is that correct?

Dr. Wetmore. That is correct. The $4,800 additional is to provide for four additional guards on our watch force. Our guard force has a personnel too small for existing needs. The men are required to work on a 24-hour basis as the Museum buildings must be guarded at all times, because of the great value of the material housed in them. We estimate the present value of our collections at upwards of $130,000,000. Service is required on Sundays and holidays, as on any other day of the week.

We give the members of the guard force as much excused time for Sunday and holiday service as we can, but where the men should be receiving an average of 5 days a month excused time, they are getting only about 3^2- Simple justice to the men concerned demands that they have better treatment.

This present year, with the restoration of annual leave from 15 days to 26 days, we will be that much further behind. We figure that we need at least 14 additional men to; give us the proper staff to allow for excused time and to guard the buildings as they should be. We are asking here for 4 out of the 14.

Last year the committee was kind enough to allow two additional, and these four are a further step in what we consider a necessary and a proper direction.

Mr. Woodrum. That increases your personnel from 330 to 334?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodrum. And the guard force from 73 to 77 ?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodrum. Are they taken from the civil service ?

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodrum. Is there an existing register for that position, or what do you do about that?

Dr. Wetmore. There is a register established by the Civil Service Commission from which we draw our men.

Mr. Woodrum. Otherwise your personnel is the same and your other obligations are the same; is that correct?

Dr. Wetmore. There is no further change.

PURCHASE OF THE AIRPLANE "WINNIE MAE"

Mr. Woodrum. Last year we gave you money with which to purchase the Winnie Mae. I suppose that purchase has been made.

Dr. Wetmore. Yes, sir. The Winnie Mae is now Government property. We have the plane on display and it is a very popular object in fin- aeronautical exhibitions.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Mr. Woodrum. The next item is for the National Gallery of Art. as follows:

For the administration of the National Gallery of Art by the Smithsonian Institution, including compensation of necessary employees, purchase of books of reference and periodicals, traveling expenses, uniforms for guards, and necessary incidental expenses, $34,275.

Mr. Dorsey. This appropriation provides for the work of the

National Gallery of Art, which is responsible for the custody, preservation, and exhibition of that portion of the national collections relating to the fine arts, and including: principally paintings and sculpture. It provides for the salaries of the stall' and minimum running expenses, and under it is carried on the extensive public contacts relating to the fine arts, and scientific and curatorial work on the collections. The present appropriation is all required for carrying on the absolutely essential work in connection with the maintenance of the National Gallery. The estimate for 1938 is the same as the appropriation for 1937.

Mr. Woodrum. The estimate for 1938 is in the sum of $34,275, the same as the current appropriation?

Mr. Dorsey. The appropriation is the same as last year. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Woodrum. And you have the same expense, the same personnel ?

Mr. Dorsey. That is correct.

PRINTING AND BINDING

Mr. Woodrum. Your next item is for printing and binding, as follows:

For all printing and binding for the Smithsonian Institution, including all of its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, I>. C, and elsewhere, $65,000, of which not to exceed $8,000 shall be available for printing the report of the American Historical Association.

Dr. Abbot. This appropriation provides for the printing of the Smithsonian annual report, with its appendix, and for printing the publications covering the scientific work of Federal brandies under the administration of the Institution, and of miscellaneous cards, forms, and labels necessary in the work of such units. It also provides for the binding of periodicals and books for the library and includes $8,000 for printing the Report of the American Historical Association.

The increase for 1938 is explained as follows: (1) Increase, printing and binding, $9,500.

The increase of $9,500 will be utilized for the publication of the results of researches of the scientific staff and for printing accumulated manuscripts containing information of importance to scientific workers throughout the world, much of which will be used as a basis of economic investigations. A larger portion of this increase will be utilized for the issuance of this essential information in the form of bulletins and proceedings of the National Museum and bulletins of the Bureau of American Ethnology.

Mr. Woodrum. This item calls for an estimate of $65,000 for the year 1938 against $55,500 for the current fiscal year, a proposed increase of $9,500.

Dr. Abbot. We endeavored, Mr. Chairman, to get the appropriation for printing and binding brought back to $100,000, as it "was formerly. The Bureau of the Budget listened very sympathetically, but finally gave this estimate providing for an increase of $9,500.

There is a great deal of material, the result of basic scientific research, which ought to be published, waiting to be published, and it is discouraging to the morale, the curators, and other gentlemen connected with the Institution that it is not possible to publish this material.

However, this increase will be very helpful and we shall be exceedingly glad to have it.

As you know, sir, a portion of the total fund goes to the American Historical Society. Dr. Jameson is here, and it is possible that he would like to make some remarks at this time.

Mr. Woodrtjm. We shall be glad to hear the doctor briefly.

Dr. Jameson. Mr. Chairman, the relations of the American Historical Association to the Smithsonian Institution and the Government Printing Office are defined in the act of its incorporation, which requires them each year to report to the Secretary of the Institution concerning their proceedings and the condition of historical study in America.

At first they had an indefinite leave to print until 1907, when the present system of a definite appropriation for printing went into effect. In that year I was president of the association, and appearing before the then committee, requested an appropriation of $7,000. Up to that time the average of what we had been having in the way of printing privileges was a matter of 1,400 pages. Printing at that time, with the rates then in existence, would be charged $7,000 for 1.400 pages. So that was the appropriation then made, and it stayed at that amount for a good many years, although the costs of the Government Printing Office constantly increased, and this caused the amount of actual printing to be obtained to become less from year to year.

In 1928 and 1929 I got the appropriation increased to $12,000. In recent years it has been placed at $8,000, and that is what the estimates of the Smithsonian Institution carry for the present year.

Now, as to the use that is made of that amount. Of course, no other money goes to the American Historical Association except this appropriation or credit at the Government Printing Office. With the $8,000 they can now print about 800 pages, or less, at the rate of $10 or $11 a page. With that amount they always print two things which the law requires them to print—the proceedings of the association and a report upon the condition of historical studies in America. The latter takes the form of an annual list of all such publications on American history.

I have here a volume of the proceedings, which embraces the proceedings of the annual meeting and also the reports of committees. They have committees on historical manuscripts, on Federal archives, on teaching in schools, and on various other subjects, and they sometimes produce quite a lot of that material for the use of historical scholars as an annex to the proceedings.

Then every year we publish a volume like the one I have here, which carries notations, in bibliographical form, of more than 3,000 books or articles or pamphlets respecting American history that have come out within the year. It is rather indispensable to keep that going continuously, so that, in a year when, for reasons of economy, the ordinary appropriation lapsed, by the kindness of Mr. Lewis Douglas a special appropriation was made to continue with that work, so that we might always have a bibliographical list of all the publications in American history during the year.

That has been going on since 1906 and it makes a continuous repertory, very well classified and indexed.

The annual reports of the association, printed at the Government Printing Office, have amounted at this time to about 75 volumes; for, when the appropriation permitted, they have produced volumes devoted to the printing of historical materials, usually documentary material, including correspondence and papers which have remained in private hands, and thereby somewhat subject to the chance of destruction. That is the sort of thing that they have always desired to get.

Thus, in one volume we printed the correspondence of John C. Calhoun, which was kept in his old one-story law office. It was a miracle that it did not go up in flames before that time. In another year there was printed the autobiography of Martin Van Buren. In another year it was the correspondence of James A. Bayard, who was one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Ghent. Here is a volume containing the correspondence of R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, Secretary of State of the Confederacy, which was in private hands. Then for 2 or 3 years the appropriation provided volumes of the diplomatic correspondence of the Republic of Texas. That is the sort of thing that is done.

During the present fiscal year there will come out one of these bibliographical volumes of Writing on American History, and a volume which will be intended to catch up the proceedings, for years when we were not able to print the annual report, printing in one volume the proceedings of 1933, 1934, and 1935.

These are two-thirds of what the $8,000 will be used for, if it is allowed. They would also wish to print a volume of documents. The thing they most have in their minds is the printing of the whole series of instructions which the British Foreign Secretary gave to the Minister to the United States in Philadelphia and in Washington from 1791 to 1812; instructions from the British Foreign Office by Grenville and his successors. That presents the whole outline of British policy with respect to the United States in all the earlier period of the Republic.

Our thought is that all studies of diplomatic history ought to rest on the documents of both sides. We know the American point of view in regard to our diplomatic negotiations. The State Department has published the essentials of the correspondence of the American Minister in London with the American Secretary of State. But it is the correspondence between the British Foreign Secretary and the British Minister that it is desired to print, which shows completely what the British policy was with respect to the United States, and whatever designs they might hold, just as if the Americans had

access to what they were talking about when they did not suppose that the Americans knew what they were saying.

Dr. Perkins, I am sure, will agree that the Americans have been a little more intent than most historical scholars to rest their history on the diplomatic papers of both sides, without the bias that comes from t he study of the papers only of one side.

I speak of this in these general terms because until the annual meeting of the American Historical Association at the end of this month I could not say positively that they have determined upon printing this or that. One or two other things have also been listed. They might print an important memoir prepared by Joseph Fauchet, one of the earlier French Ministers to this country, and other things of that sort.

I have brought here a conspectus of the historical publications of the Government, which may show the way in which all this is related to other historical publications of the Government. First, the Department of State prints from its own materials. In this case, here are the publications of the last fiscal year. There are papers related to foreign relations. The National Archives, when they get around to it, are likely, through their agency of publication, to publish things that are in their possession. The Navy Department publishes these beautiful volumes of Captain Knox, covering the history of our quasi-war with France in 1798. These volumes of the Library of Congress were printed in this last year and are not to be continued.

The last volume of the records of the Virginia Company and the last volume of the Journal of the Continental Congress, and this Guide to the Diplomatic History of the United States were published at that time.

These are almost all publications of materials in the possession of a Government establishment. What the American Historical Association does when it gets an opportunity to print volumes of documents is, usually, to print material that is still in private hands. That saves that material from destruction.

Mr. True. May I say one word about the Smithsonian printing appropriation, Mr. Chairman? There appears to be an increase. Actually it is only a partial restoration of the drastic reduction we suffered during the recent lean years. During the depression the printing appropriation bore practically all of the reduction that the Smithsonian Institution had to take, because Ave could not absorb it otherwise without discharging personnel. Our last normal amount for printing was $104,000, which was just about enough to enable us to publish the researches of members of our staff. With this apparent increase, we still will have only about half what the amount was in normal years.

Mr. Woodrum. It is a start back in the old direction ?

Mr. True. That is about all you can say.

Wednesday, December 1G, 1936.

VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION

STATEMENTS OF BRIG. GEN. FRANK T. HINES, ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS; SAMUEL M. MOORE, JR., BUDGET OFFICER; AUSTIN J. NAYLOR, ASSISTANT BUDGET OFFICER AND CHIEF OF STATISTICS

GENERAL STATEMENT

Air. Woodrum. We take up this morning the Veterans' Administration. We have with us General Hines, who always presents a very complete and very interesting statement. General, if you wish, the statement will he made a part of the record in full at this point and, if you will, discuss with us informally any points which you wish specially to stress at this time.

General Hines. Very well.

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, in appearing before this committee for the purpose of discussing those items entering into the appropriations requested for the Veterans' Administration for the fiscal year 1938, I am relying upon a privilege which has been accorded me in previous years and desire, therefore, to make a general statement covering the several items of appropriations included in the estimate. I believe this general statement will enable you to visualize the extent of the work of the Veterans' Administration currently and will indicate to you the trend of the work for the fiscal year 1938.

At the conclusion of my general statement I shall be glad to answer such questions as the committee may care to ask with regard to the details of the estimates. Each member of the committee has been furnished a book similar to the one before me, containing analytical charts and statements under the various appropriation headings bearing upon the main features of the appropriations involved. Also there is before you a copy of this general statement I am about to make, which will enable you to follow my presentation and make notes on any matters that you may desire to question later.

DISTRIBUTION OF ESTIMATES FOR 193 8

For the fiscal year 1938 the amount requested for the Veterans' Administration, exclusive of the Government life-insurance trust fund; personal funds of patients; and the general post fund, which are self-sustaining, is $585,832,000. Compared with actual appropriations and known supplementals required for similar purposes for 1937, this is a decrease of $8,895,000. However, through ^appropriation of balances from previous years totaling $42,000,000, there is available for 1937 an aggregate sum of $635,727,000. The appropriation requested for 1938, therefore, represents a reduction of $49,895,-000. or, considering a supplemental amount of $1,000,000 requested under "Adjusted service and dependent pay" for 1937, a reduction of $50,895,000. The division of this total sum requested is shown by appropriation headings on chart no. 3 under the general title and with your permission I will insert in the record at this point a copy of that chart. The increases and decreases under the various appro-