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[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 766 [[/preprinted]] [[separate page inserted over page 766]] Page 18. [[5-column table]] Brought Forward | | | | $464,520 [[/5-column table]] 8. Proposed Budget, etc. (Continued) [[5-column table]] Reserve not allotted. | | | | [[underlined]] 35,480 [[/underlined]] Total | | | | $500,000 [[/5-column table]] 9. Proper Sources of Relief A. The Government. Secretary Henry in 1872, and Secretary Langley in 1888, drew attention to the fact that the Government had occupied nearly all of the original Smithsonian building for many years, rent-free. This building was completed at a cost of nearly half a million dollars about 1855, and solely at the expense of Smithsonian private funds. The Government now occupies for branches of the National Museum, the Bureau of American Ethnology, the International Exchanges, and the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, approximately 60,000 square feet of floor space. Formerly, though differently parceled out, before the erection of the two museum buildings, the occupation was equally great. This free occupancy has continued about 70 years. At a low rental, and without interest on unpaid rental, this service to the Government amounts to $1,400,000. If simple interest at 5 per cent is added, it would amount, with principal, to $3,850,000. Possibly this consideration will weigh with some who would not otherwise approve, in recommending an appropriation by Government of unrestricted funds. Preferably this should take the form of an instruction to the Treasury to pay the Smithsonian in perpetuity a continuing lump sum annually, which I suggest be fixed at $250,000 per annum, on the same terms and additional to the present payment authorized by law of $60,000 per annum. B. Foundations and Private Citizens. By the Conference on the Future of the Smithsonian, held February 11, 1927, and by publicity of various kinds, interest has been aroused to an extent which warrants the hope that $5,000,000 of unrestricted endowment could be procured from foundations and private citizens, especially if the Government would take the action above suggested. [[short line]] [[/separate page inserted over page 766]]
