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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 1609

Mr. Bow, Mr. Cannon, and Mr. Kirwan arrived at 6:35 p.m., and were immediately admitted to the Executive Session. The Vice President, Senator Anderson, and Senator Fulbright had sent word that they were unavoidably detained in the Senate and could not attend the meeting as they had planned.

PROPOSED MEETING WITH GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

The Secretary explained that the proposed meeting was to plan for occupancy of the Museum of History and Technology building as soon as parts of the building are complete, as is often done in connection with Government buildings. Dr. Fleming reported that he had discussed with Senator Anderson a letter dated January 16, 1963, addressed to the Secretary from Mr. Boutin, Administrator of General Services, in which Mr. Boutin had advised that "the contract is adequate protection against claims, either monetary or for excusable delay, due to partial occupancy of the museum by the Government." Senator Anderson had felt earlier that a conference with Mr. Boutin was desirable. Subsequently, Senator Anderson told Dr. Fleming he had concluded that this conference was unnecessary and that the Smithsonian Institution should not become involved with the contractor as that was the responsibility of the General Services Administration. Dr. Fleming suggested that no vote was required on this point in view of the Senator's conclusion.

The Secretary was authorized to proceed at the appropriate time to move into the building. The Secretary stated that some halls are now ready and have already been accepted by the General Services Administration. He commented that as a result of this authorization everything possible would be done to get the building ready for as early an opening as possible.

LATEST ESTIMATES OF PARTIAL AND FULL OCCUPANCY 

The Secretary referred to the floor plans for the Museum of History and Technology Building that were before each member. The areas on the first floor (Halls of Electricity, Railroad, Heavy Machinery, and Civil Engineering) were now ready for occupancy. If the