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3.   [[underline]] Watt [[/underline]] v. [[underline]] United States [[/underline]]

This suit, filed in the U. S. District for the District of Columbia on September 24, 1976, arises out of a tort claim for injuries suffered in a fall on the esplanade in front of the Nation Museum of History and Technology.  Damages in the amount of $75,000 are sought.  On the facts as known, it does not appear that the mishap was caused by the negligence of the Smithsonian.  The Justice Department is handling the case, and trial is scheduled to begin January 16, 1978.

4.   [[underline]] Winston [[/underline]] v. [[underline]] Smithsonian Science Information Exchange [[/underline]] 

On September 7, 1977, U. S. District Court Judge John Pratt rendered his decision, finding that plaintiff Winston had failed to make any showing of racial discrimination. Judge Pratt further observed that the statistical analysis of the entire work force at SSIE was consistent with a "nondiscriminatory, or at least a neutral employment policy." A notice of appeal of this decision has been filed by the plaintiff.

5.   [[underline]] Claims against the United States arising out of construction of the Hirshborn Museum [[/underline]] 

On December 12, 1977, claimants and the General Services Administration agreed to settlement of all remaining claims and counterclaims in this matter.  We have been advised by the Department of Justice that a petition has been filed in the U. S. Court of Claims by the contractor for the Hirshborn Museum to recover the remaining balance of $840,000 that the General Services Administration agrees is owed the contractor as the result of delays in construction caused by the Government.  This petition is a claim against the United States. 

6.   [[underline]] Disposition of Old Woman Mountains Meteorite [[/underline]]

Custody and control of the Old Woman Mountains Meteorite, found by private individuals on federal land under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior in Southern California, was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution by the Department and was accessioned into the national collections. The Marine Corps removed the meteorite from its site in 1977, at which time a suit to obtain legal title to the specimen was filed by the finders, who also obtained a temporary restraining order to keep the meteorite in California. That suit was dismissed with prejudice by the Federal District Court in Los Angeles. Subsequently the Museum of the County of San Bernardino and the State of California filed separate suits (ultimately joined) seeking (1) a preliminary injunction against removal of the meteorite from California,