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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION   1329

Representative Cannon a similar one in the House of Representatives. The matter is highly important and it is hoped may be enacted into law without too much delay.

GELLATLY ART COLLECTION

It was reported last year that the action of Mrs. Charlayne Whitely Gellatly in attempt to recover the Gellatly Collection had been carried to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, that decision had been made against Mrs. Gellatly, and that a rehearing had been denied.

Under date of February 28, 1950 the office of the Attorney General informed us that the Supreme Court had denied Mrs. Gellatly’s petition for a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the United States Court of Appeals. It would seem therefore that this long controversy of more than 20 years has come to an end, with result favorable to the Smithsonian.

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS

Under the will of Charles Dykes, deceased, late of Corpus Christi, Texas, the residue of his estate is left to the Smithsonian Institution “to be used in founding and endowing a chair in some branch of the institution, to be designated as the branch of financial research whose purpose is to take steps to capitalize on any inventions, discoveries in research or through whatever other project seems feasible. The aim of this bequest is to enhance the endowment funds of this Institution to the highest degree practicable in opulence through the efforts of said chair of financial research.” Under item 10 the testator provides that “the officials of the Smithsonian Institute shall never be held accountable to any person for mistakes in judgment in the management of my estate and endowment fund.”

We are advised by our counsel, Mr. Elisha Hanson, that the Smithsonian may properly accept this bequest, and that among other things the income from the fund may be applied to the study and handling of our endowments.

A.W.