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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 489
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MADE BY BAKER-VAWTER CO.
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it seemed best to close the building entirely to unauthorized visitors during the period of installation of the collections; it being understood, however, that there was always a cordial invitation to the Regents to visit it and that the Secretary would be very glad to show them through and explain the work going on.

Judge Gray offered the following resolution, which was adopted:- 

RESOLVED; That the recommendation of the Secretary that the Freer Building be closed to visitors during the work of installation be approved by the Board of Regents.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART COMMISSION.

The Secretary said that in view of the steady growth of the National Gallery of Art and the position which it should assume in the development of the fine arts in America, the time had come to consider the method of providing for its administration and development.

The officers of the Smithsonian Institution should not be burdened with responsibility for the formulation of questions of policy as to purchase and acceptance of art objects, utilization and exhibition of collections, best methods of future development, securing of funds, etc. There should be an Advisory Commission established by the authority of the Board of Regents, which may consider not only the local questions that would come up from time to time in relation to the National Gallery, but also the broad field of art in America, and the best methods of the National Gallery cooperating with art institutions and interested individuals throughout the country and the world, in order that this phase of the Smithsonian Institution's activities shall be made most effective in [[underlined]] the increase and diffusion of knowledge [[/underlined]] of the fine arts in America.
 
In view of the completion of the building for the Freer collections and the receipt of valuable and notable additions to the collections now deposited in the Natural History Museum, the Permanent Committee submits for the Board's consideration the following resolution:
[[initialed]] CDW [[/initialed]]