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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION    1452

progress is developing these plans had been made. The detailed plan of the building was formally approved by the Commission of Fine Arts on November 21, 1957, and on December 6, 1957 the National Capital Planning Commission approved the location of the building on the site. The space distribution of all floors had been agreed upon and appropriate authorities of the Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, have authorized the plans so far as safety features, location of exits, stairways, fire walls, and so forth are concerned. At least ninety draftsmen are now working on the preparation of the working drawings and specifications of the building. It was suggested that it might be well to investigate the possibility that the architects, without additional expense, might have plans for excavation, piling and foundations ready in the very near future.

REPORT ON PLANS TO USE OLD PATENT OFFICE BUILDING FOR A NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY AND FOR THE NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS AND REPORT ON NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM SITE AND BUILDING

The Secretary reported that since the announcement of Senator Anderson's Bill S. 1984 calling for the transfer of the old Patent Office Building to the Smithsonian Institution many favorable reactions have been registered. This proposal was greeted with enthusiasm by the Smithsonian Art Commission. As noted in the report of this commission given below this body recommends that the transfer of the Patent Office Building to the Smithsonian be assured before the site previously designated for the Smithsonian Gallery of Art be used for another purpose.

Senator Anderson had also introduced S. 1985 for the construction of a National Air Museum building as the two matters had been considered separately at the last annual meeting of the Regents. Senator Anderson pointed out the many difficulties involved in trying to get the two bills passed at once, and stated he had concluded, after discussions with leaders in the Senate, that he should report out a new bill embracing both bills. Once the Patent Office is reserved for the Smithsonian Institution there

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