REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 43 



The flags on the Sniithsonian and ^Museum buildings were placed 

 at half mast on Xovoinber 10, 10"2i), out of respect to the late James 

 Wilson Good, Secretary' of War. They were Uown at half mast 

 from March 9 to April 7, 1930, out of respect to ex-President William 

 Howard Taft, associated for many years with the Smitlisonian 

 Institution as a member of the Institution, presiding ollicer ex 

 officio, Regent, and Chancellor. On November 13 the flag pole on 

 the Smitlisonian building was found to be in a dangerous condition 

 and was removed so tluit no flag was flown on that building until 

 April 10, 1930, when a new pole was put in place on the north tower. 



Visitors to the Museum during the j^ear totaled 1,894,989, a de- 

 crease of approximately 35,000 from the record of the preceding 

 year. This decrease apparently reflected changed economic con- 

 ditions in the country. Attendance in the several buildings of the 

 National Museum was recorded as follows : Smithsonian Institution, 

 282,482; Arts and Industries, 803,479; Natural History, C2o,32G; 

 Aircraft, 123,700. The average daily attendance for week days was 

 5, 12 J, and for Sundays 10,317. The increase in the Sunday average 

 of nearly 4,000 persons per day is a certain indication of the need 

 for opening the exhibits to the public on Sunday afternoons. 



During the )'ear the Museum published IG separate volumes and 

 35 miscellaneous papers, while the distribution of literature 

 amounted to 87,323 copies of its various books and pamphlets. Ad- 

 ditions to the Museum library included 2,317 volumes and 0G8 

 pamphlets, obtained partly by exchange, partly by donation, and 

 partly by purchase. The library of the National Museum as separate 

 from that of the Smithsonian Institution proper now contains 7G,879 

 volumes and 108,297 pamphlets. Much work was done in arranging 

 the catalogues of these collections. The Museum has 3G sectional 

 libraries in connection with its various divisions, each containing 

 the particular books relating to the work involved. These are in 

 addition to the main libraries that house the works of general 

 reference. 



On October 1, 1929, Dr. R. S. Bassler was made head curator of 

 the department of geology. Dr. Charles E. Resser was designated 

 on December 1 curator of stratigraphic paleontology. Dr. W. F. 

 Foshag was made curator of the division of mineralogy and pet- 

 rology on September 1, and in addition was given charge of the work 

 of the division of physical and chemical geology. Mr. Edward P. 

 Henderson was appointed on November IG assistant curator in the 

 division last mentioned. 



Dr. Charles W. Richmond, long associate curator in the division 

 of birds, was given the title of curator on July 1. On September IG 

 at Dr. Richmond's own request he again became associate curator 



