Viewing page 121 of 520

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION      1314

The Executive Committee expressed itself as wholly favorable to further appropriate action of the Chairman, in collaboration with the Secretary, looking toward higher classification grades for the four positions mentioned, including that of Mr. Graf. The Secretary has papers under preparation for submission in this matter whenever the time is appropriate, and will keep in touch with the Chairman relative to it.

SALARY OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE FREER GALLERY OF ART

The salary of the Director of the Freer Gallery of Art for years was $10,000 per annum, which for a long period equalled that of the Secretary. When salaries on Smithsonian private funds were adjusted recently, to correspond with Civil Service grades of equal responsibility, the Director's salary was set at $10,750 per annum. The Secretary outlined present salaries in equal positions elsewhere, including the National Gallery of Art, which are considerably higher, and recommended that the salary for Mr. Wenley be set at $15,000 per annum. The Committee approved this recommendation, to be effective as of July 1, 1950.

SMITHSONIAN SCIENTIFIC SERIES

The Series Publishers, Inc., distributing company for the Smithsonian Scientific Series, has suffered financial reverses, and has not been able to make complete royalty payments over a period of 18 months, due to existing conditions in the publishing business. The Company has asked for reconsideration of the contract at a lower royalty. There was, as of December 31, 1949, royalty due amounting to $42,118.61, of which the Secretary has been able to get payment of $18,000, leaving $24,118.61 still due. The income from this source is without expense to the Smithsonian Institution, and has brought in a total return to date of nearly half a million dollars. The demand for the books handled under the contract now seems to be decreasing.

A.W.