Viewing page 111 of 520

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION    1305

of the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments of the United States Senate, under date of May 23, 1949, a request for detailed report relative (1) application of the Commission's recommendations to the Smithsonian Institution, (2) the effect of prospective implementation of such recommendations, and (3) the provisions of pending legislation effecting such recommendations.

Reply to Senator McClellan covered the following:

It was pointed out that the Establishment, which is the Smithsonian Institution, includes the President of the United States, the Vice President, the Chief Justice, and the members of the President's cabinet, and that the governing body is the Board of Regents. The only direct mention of the Smithsonian in the Hoover Commission's Report is found on page 12 of the section relative to the Office of General Services. Here it was suggested that whenever the officials of the Smithsonian Institution needed assistance from the Chief Executive, or the Departments, they should consult with the Director of the Office of General Services. The report to Senator McClellan pointed out that any such procedure relative to the Chief Executive would lessen efficiency. The Institutions demands on the President's time are rare and include only the most important matters, even though by law he heads the Smithsonian Establishment. It was further stated that the Institution's relations with federal agencies concerned with the fields of science are now fully cooperative, and that research staffs of three federal scientific departments now work daily in our buildings on our collections. It appeared, therefore, that existing programs now operating efficiently would be short circuited and become cumbersome should it be demanded that the Institution have it relations with federal agencies subjected to the preview of another office such as that of General Services, which seemingly otherwise would have no connection with scientific research. This in fact would be inefficient, and would hinder, or even make inoperative, present relationships, in addition to serious encroachment on the time honored authority and powers of the Institution.

A.W.