Viewing page 510 of 520

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

objects of irreplaceable value to safeguard and there is always the danger of having people molested.

Questions were asked about the size of the guard force and whether there was a modern alarm system. Mr. Bradley stated there were certain automatic alarm systems and that the guard force was receiving more training. The Secretary mentioned that an experimental T.V. monitoring system was being tried out. He said further that he was chiefly concerned about the evening hours.

Mr. Kirwan recalled that he had initiated the idea of evening hours. The Congressman believed firmly that the people of Washington as well as the tourists should be permitted to see the exhibits in the evening.

The Chancellor questioned whether a nominal fee would stop people who came to steal. Mr. Bow suggested that the Secretary confer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Bow volunteered that he would write to Mr. Hoover to request him to meet with Mr. Ripley.

ATTENDANCE AT MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING

The Secretary announced that from January 23 to May 7, 1964, the attendance at the Museum of History and Technology Building was 1,615,476 persons. This indicated an annual attendance of over five million.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF WEST WING, NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING

The Secretary was very pleased to report that the work under the contract for construction of the West Wing of the Natural History Building was ahead of schedule as of the end of April.