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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 1444

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

The Secretary submitted his annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, including the Financial Report of the Executive Committee, in printed form. Copies of this report were on the table and had been distributed to the members of the Board on December 27, 1957. 

On motion by Mr. Cannon, seconded by Dr. Brown, and carried the report of the Secretary was accepted. 

REPORT ON PLANS FOR WINGS FOR THE NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING

The Secretary reviewed the history of this project that was first approved by the Board of Regents more than a quarter of a century ago. He stated that last year the Congress appropriated $800,000 for planning the wings of the Natural History Building, and the National Capital Planning Commission as well as the Commission of Fine Arts had approved the location and the form of the wings in November and December of 1957. A drawing of these wings was before each member of the Board. A view showing the side elevation was also presented at the meeting. 

Senator Anderson pointed out that very few new projects could be started this year in view of the present position of the administration, and that already there was a $36,000,000 Museum of History and Technology Building project under way plus the need for a National Air Museum and the conversion of the old Patent Office Building. Dr. Hunsaker warned of the danger of losing the National Air Museum. Dr. Greenewalt spoke of the value of establishing priorities for these buildings. Dr. Fleming raised the question of the importance of getting the foundations of the New Museum of History and Technology Building started in order to hold the site. 

After further discussion of the subject, on motion by Senator Saltonstall, seconded by Dr. Brown and Senator Anderson, it was

VOTED (a) that the design of wings for the Natural History Building as