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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION   1382

It was agreed that the independent position of the Smithsonian must be guarded carefully in these pending considerations of governmental reorganization.

During the closing sessions of the Congress in 1952 there were several proposal [[proposals]] for legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives for national support for opera and other music, drama, and ballet, to be placed under administration of the Smithsonian Institution. To inquiry from Congressional Committees the Secretary made objection to inclusion of any such activities under the Smithsonian since they were foreign to our existing operations, and particularly since they would involve commercial entertainments with paid admissions while all of our present public exhibitions are open without charge and all should so remain. There would be other complications that would react against the Smithsonian program for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." Congressman Howell of New Jersey in H. R. 452 has introduced an amplified version of these matters that would set up a "National War Memorial Arts Commission." to operate independently in their field. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, ex officio, would be a member of the Commission, as would the Director of the Smithsonian Gallery of Art, but the Institution, would not have the responsibility of operation. There appears to be no objection on the behalf of the Smithsonian to the present form of the proposed bill. It is brought to attention merely to inform the Regents, with no necessity apparent at present for any action.

The Secretary presented the following statement on recent activities:
The following items covering activities in the six-month period from July 1 to the end of December 1952 are supplemental to what is reported in the printed Annual Report of the Secretary on the table. The additions are chosen for their particular interest from the large mass of current operations.