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responsibilities and collections of the three art programs have heavily taxed the FAPG building. Soon, their continued scholarly and collection growth will be dependent on the availability of additional space.

Recently, Mr. Ripley met with Jay Solomon, Administrator of the General Services Administration, to discuss these matters. Mr. Solomon expressed interest and optimism about the preservation of the historic Tariff building for public purposes. Institution representatives also met with staff members of the Trade Commission who were positive about the value of the Tariff building as a public resource and the prospect of relocating the Commission to more suitable space in downtown Washington. 

Mr. Ripley will advise Congress of the Smithsonian's interest in the Tariff building and will meet soon with Mr. Daniel Minchew, Chairman of the Trade Commission. The Institution will continue to seek counsel and assistance in an effort to preserve the Tariff Commission building and to provide for the future needs of the National Collection of Fine Arts, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American Art.

A very preliminary estimate for operating and maintaining the building on an annual basis is between $750,000 and $1,000,000.