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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION  753
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Langley in his first report, and its relief was a principal preoccupation of Secretary Walcott. Without, of course, neglecting the duties of the administration, initiation of new projects, and scientific research which normally should exclusively occupy him, the tripling of the present private endowment is essential, and must be the first care of the present Secretary.

[[underlined]] Thirdly - An Unique Basis for Fundamental Research. [[/underlined]]

"The past career of the Smithsonian places under its control immense collections of specimens of living and dead animals, of plants, of mineralogical, geological, and paleontological collections, and those relating to human culture. Systematic study of these collections by members of the staff, and by other students of science, is to be strongly promoted. Expeditions to fill gaps in the series should be undertaken when the opportunity permits and monographs of the results obtained published.

[[underlined]] Fourthly - The Neglect of the Physical Sciences by the Smithsonian. [[/underlined]]

"Although founded by a chemist, Smithson, and shaped by the physicist, Henry, the principal efforts of the Institution for a half century have been in the natural history sciences, to the neglect of the sciences of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and Meteorology, excepting so far as they are slightly represented in the department of geology and in the work of the astrophysical observatory. This neglect is neither fitting nor wise. The presence on our staff of physicists and chemists would suggest and open up new aspects of the natural history sciences in which we are so strongly represented. It would also greatly promote researches relating to radiation and growth of plants and animals, which we are pre-eminently in position to undertake.

"World meteorology, too, is a subject closely related to radiation, and in which the Smithsonian, by reason of its international connections and pioneering work in radiation, should continue activities already begun. The development of mathematics as a tool for physics and engineering is a field in which

[[initialed]] CGA [[/initialed]]