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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION   1261

In addition, Mr. Roebling had presented the mineral collection of his father, Washington Roebling, one of the first in the country, valued at a quarter of a million dollars, with an endowment of $150,000, the income to be used for the increase and care of the mineral collection in question.

During the past year Mr. Roebling has given $42,000 for the work of the Astrophysical Observatory. The following resolution was voted unanimously:

RESOLVED: That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution extends cordial thanks to Mr. John A. Roebling for his continued interest in the astrophysical work of the Institution as evidenced by his very substantial contribution for this purpose in July, last.

At the same time, the Board assures Mr. Roebling of its full appreciation of the great encouragement and assistance which his generous support for many years past has given to the Institution and its staff in the prosecution of these important researches.

PERSONNEL AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Secretary reported as follows:

During the year there was further progress in the unification of business operations.

The changes related principally to a combination of certain identical operations that had been handled in two offices, one on behalf of the National Museum, and the other concerned with the central administration of the Smithsonian and other units.

All purchasing and procurement of supplies has now been centralized under one office, under a purchasing officer, who serves the Smithsonian Institution. The only exception to this procedure relates to the National Zoological Park

A.W.