SECRETARY'S REPORT 5 



Nine halls of the Natural History Building were also repainted, 

 and a contract was let for the urgently needed repair of the roof of 

 this great structure. The ancient so-called "converter" heating system 

 of this building was modernized and made more economical. Steam 

 lines in various buildings, which were in a dangerous condition, were 

 replaced. 



Work on the air-conditioning of the Freer Gallery of Art was 

 begun. The air-conditioning of this building will protect the price- 

 less objects of art contained in the Freer collections which were deteri- 

 orating under the extremes of temperature and humidity of Washing- 

 ton. Also, possibly for the first time since this building was opened, 

 the gallery has been completely repainted, and its library has been 

 renovated and provided with adequate lighting fixtures. Modern rest 

 rooms for the public were opened in the Natural History Building and 

 in the old Smithsonian Building. 



Research in Astrophysics 



It is always important to remember that Smithson, in establishing 

 his institution, and the Congress, in founding it, directed that it should 

 not only "diffuse knowledge" but also "increase knowledge." During 

 the current year, effective research has continued in all the scientific 

 and artistic departments of the Institution. A particularly notable 

 development, as is indicated in the detailed report that follows (p. 65) 

 has taken place in the program of the Smithsonian Astrophysical 

 Observatory. 



Astrophysics has long been one of the principal research activities 

 of the Institution. With the retirement a year ago of Loyal B. 

 Aldrich as head of this bureau, it became clear that, because of the 

 growing importance of astrophysics in national defense as well as in 

 pure science, the future program of this bureau required careful study. 

 With the assistance of Mr. Aldrich, authorities in this field were con- 

 sulted and it was agreed that the time was ripe to expand both the 

 bureau's facilities and programs. The Smithsonian was fortunate 

 in securing as director Dr. Fred L. Whipple, then chairman of the 

 Department of Astronomy at Harvard University. The scientific 

 headquarters of the Observatory have been moved from temporary 

 buildings behind the old Smithsonian Building to more adequate 

 quarters in immediate association with the Harvard College Observa- 

 tory in Cambridge, Mass. By this physical change, the Astrophysical 

 Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution, without compromising its 

 independence, has gained the advantage of close association with an 

 active group of scientists in the mathematical and physical as well as 

 astronomical sciences. Without such association, modern advances 

 in astrophysics are severely handicapped. 



