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[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 767 [[/preprinted]] [[preprinted left margin]] MADE BY BAKER-VAWTER CO. [[/preprinted left margin]] PERMANENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Vice President here said that at the meeting of February 17, the Permanent Committee had submitted a report containing several recommendations, among them one in regard to the campaign for the Endowment Fund of the Institution. This report had been received and filed without action, and he desired to suggest that this item of the report be again brought before the Board for consideration. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Delano spoke briefly on some of the items of the report, including the statement of policy of the Secretary, but wished particularly to bring up Item No. 9, as follows:- "If the Board of Regents desires it, I am willing to undertake the leadership in trying to secure added funds. The plan of procedure which I would propose is that each member of the Board of Regents would either act for the State from which he comes, or suggest to me the name of a man who might be willing to act as a leader in that State. This would give us a start in fourteen States, and from these our influence could radiate. I do not propose to conduct a "drive" in the sense that that word is generally used. I do not intend to adopt any high-pressure methods of salesmanship. In the long run, I think more will be attained by other methods. We are not seeking small subscriptions, but I think that amounts in excess of $10,000 could be secured from men and women who are genuinely interested in the future of the Smithsonian Institution. The important thing is to have a clear idea of the objects we are seeking to accomplish, and prove by our works the real sincerity of our purpose. The place of the Smithsonian Institution appears to me to be predominantly that of coordinating the scientific work in research which is being done all over the country. In this connection I would like to read a paragraph from the remarks of Dr. Vincent, of the Rockefeller Foundation, (at our meeting of February 11th, last year) which appears to me decidedly in point. "Dr. Vincent said:- 'If the Smithsonian Institution should turn out to be the institution which would lead the Government of the United States to support scientific research with annual lump sum appropriations it will have made one of the greatest contributions it could make to the world. 'The accomplishments of Germany in the way of pure research, and practical benefits that have arisen to that nation from such research, have been referred to. When Kaiser Wilhelm authorized the expenditure of large sums for pure research work, do you suppose that there were purchasing agents going around inquiring what this expenditure was for, and what that expenditure was for? In order to accomplish the most, it is important that lump sum appropriations should be made for research work, and the money used where it will do the most good, and under men of such standing and prestige that there will be no suggestion of suspicion attaching to their expenditures'." (Signed) FREDERIC A. DELANO [[initialed]] CGA [[/initialed]]
