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at the last meeting of the Board concerning the extreme importance of attendance at the Regents meetings.

Mr. Ripley stated that in order to keep the Regents apprised of the various official activities taking place at the Smithsonian Institution, we have depended on a variety of means to convey information, request advice, and to seek opinions of the Regents.  One method of giving information has been the Regents Newsletter, originated in 1966 and published periodically when there was news to be conveyed.  When decisions have been sought, the subject matter, depending on the urgency of a particular request, has been handled by telephone, telegram or letter. The Secretary has also arranged visits with the Regents, as often as possible, in an effort to get their views on any matter of interest.

However, the general discussions which take place at the three regular Regents' meetings each year are of vital importance, and a concerted effort is made to assure attendance at the Regents' meetings.

Mr. Ripley mentioned that it was of interest to see, while perusing the minutes of the Regents' meetings of 1891, 1892 and 1893, that the minutes included statements such as "Excuses for non-attendance were read from Dr. J. C. Welling, caused by illness, and from Dr. A. D. White, by important engagements." Another said, "A letter from Doctor J. B. Angell was read, stating the reasons for his absence from the meeting."