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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Museum authorized before additional bills were submitted to Congress. He believed that the Institution would encounter trouble if too many bills are introduced.

The Secretary said he appreciated and sought the advice of experienced legislators. He explained that the Bureau of the Budget and the Appropriation Subcommittee had questioned the scope of the Smithsonian astrophysical program. Although we are receiving grants from NASA for research and working closely with M.I.T. and Harvard he suggested that we might be more secure in the long run if we had a current authorization.

Mr. Bow recalled that new authorizing legislation had been obtained for the Smithsonian's Canal Zone Biological Area in the last session.

Senator Anderson suggested that the question be discussed with the House Members who are Regents, the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader and if they approve to submit the proposed legislation. Unless they generally approve, he would not proceed because it is not important right now. He thought the same was true in the Senate, where the proposed bill should be discussed with Senator Mansfield and Senator Dirksen. He suggested that the bills be reviewed by the Congressional legislative counsel and then discussed with the Executive Committee; that Mr. Bow should be asked to sound out the House leadership; then the Senate Regents could see what the reaction might be in the Senate. He though that there is nothing wrong with the legislation, but that there is a question as to whether it would stir up trouble.

Mr. Greenewalt was assured by the Secretary that the proposed legislation was simply to support programs already in progress.

Senator Anderson pointed out that the research programs of the Smithsonian might change materially in the next 25 years and that we might well get ready for it. He thought the legislation was all right but it should be introduced at a time when it can be done inoffensively.