118 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM^ 1915, 



until May, 1915, when it was temporarily placed in storage to make 

 room for other special purposes, but it will soon be returned to its 

 former place. The models of the Pedro Miguel Locks and the Gatun 

 Dam Locks of the Panama Canal were withdrawn by the Depart- 

 ment of War during most of the year, but for several months they 

 occupied their customary position in the foyer of the new building. 



Though not actually of the nature of public exhibition, it may be 

 mentioned that one of the courts in the new building has from time 

 to time been used for the display of samples of stone submitted by 

 competitors for the construction of public buildings. Such exhibi- 

 tions have been of extreme interest to geologists, but of more direct 

 importance has been the opportunity afforded of acquiring additions 

 to the building stone collection of the Museum, contractors generally 

 having been very generously disposed in this respect. The stones 

 submitted during the past year were for the Eed Cross Building, a 

 memorial to the women of the Civil War, and for the Memorial 

 Amphitheatre at Arlington, Va. 



The exhibition first referred to above, planned and assembled in 

 the name of The American Federation of Arts, relates wholly to in- 

 dustrial art and is entirely restricted to American products. It is 

 considered to be one of the most notable displays of its kind ever held 

 in this country, and while not claiming to be complete, it is remark- 

 ably comprehensive and very representative. There is an exceed- 

 ingly wide range of exhibits, and though the exhibitors were allowed 

 to make their own selections, there being no jury and but few spe- 

 cially invited participants, the standard upheld is extremely high. 

 From first to last the exhibition emphasizes two things, the value 

 of beauty in design and the fine quality of artistic products now- 

 being made in the United States. Organized as an object lesson for 

 the public, it demonstrates that the useful can be beautiful, and that 

 art has its practical place in almost every phase of life. 



Committees were appointed on behalf of both the Federation and 

 the Museum to give direction to the enterprise, but it is only just to 

 say that the idea originated with the secretary of the Federation, Miss 

 Leila Mechlin, who has also borne the brunt of the work. The 

 Museum furnished the space and the cases, and assisted in the in- 

 stallation and to a slight extent in soliciting materials. The place 

 allotted for the purpose is on the ground floor of the new building 

 near the north entrance, comprising a part of the lobby, the entire 

 foyer and five rooms of varying size opening into the latter, two on 

 the east and three on the west side. The exhibition was so planned 

 as to be ready for inspection during the spring convention of The 

 American Federation of Arts, and was opened on the evening of 

 May 13, 1915, with a special view and a reception to the delegates. 

 It will continue until the middle of September. 



