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[[preprinted]] Smithsonian Institution 780 [[/preprinted]] The question is, then how shall the paltry unrestricted endowment be brought up to a figure commensurate with out twentieth century needs? The fact that the Government plays so important a role in the management of the Institution, makes it difficult to appeal to private individuals and yet that it isn't impossible, is evidenced by the great Freer bequest for oriental art and archeology. It has been suggested that the Congress might be willing to contribute to an endowment fund the income of which should be spent at the discretion of this Board. Many of our States are appropriating moneys for research work in their universities, and the Congress is appropriating sums for the great Departments and scientific bureaus, notably those of Aeronautics and of Standards. One method which has appeared to me as feasible would be the appropriation through a series of years of sums of, say, a million at a time, to be matched by equal sums raised from private sources. In this way I believe an endowment of, say, ten millions might be built up. There are other ways of raising money which are in use by museums and scientific organizations doing work similar to ours; for example, the Museum of Natural History of New York makes a charge of admission to museums, with certain free days and free privileges. From this source they realize substantial sums. Another sources of revenue, adopted by most privately owned institutions, is that of forming groups of memberships with minor special privileges. This has been found an effective way to bring in a fair sum of money, and, more important, of interesting the public in the enterprise. Query: Would Congress be willing that we adopt these methods? If not, Would Congress help us to get the money we need in some other way? I respectfully submit these problems to your consideration, FREDERIC A. DELANO [[initialed]] CGA [[/initialed]]
