50 ANNUAL, REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1925 



garded as having much added strength as a result of the fact that, 

 as indicated in the Lodge resolution, the building when completed 

 is expet ted to accommodate the collections of American history as 

 well as those of art. The historical collections are of great popular 

 interest, occupying to-day 120,000 square feet of floor space in the 

 Smithsonian and the tAvo Museum buildings — space urgently needed 

 for the legitimate activities and vast collections of the several 

 branches of natural science. 



MEETINGS OF THE GALLERY COMMISSION 



The annual meeting of the gallery commission Avas held in the 

 Regents' room of the Smithsonian Institution, on December 9, 1924. 

 The members present were: Gari Melchers, chairman, Herbert 

 Adams, Joseph H. Gest, John E. Lodge, Frank J. Mather, jr., 

 Charles Moore, James Parmelee, Edward W. Redfield, Charles D. 

 Walcott, and William H. Holmes. 



The very important problem of the inclusion in the prospective 

 gallery building of collections both of art and history, as indicated 

 in the Lodge resolution, Avas given attention and the view prevailed 

 that it would be advantageous, at least for a time, to have the two 

 departments in the same building, although definitely separated. 



The question of the acceptance of works of art by the advisory 

 committee through the medium of correspondence was raised, and 

 after discussion it was resolved that hereafter, a majority of the 

 advisory committee be required to personally examine the Avorks 

 before making recommendation. As a result of this action and the 

 impracticability of calling the committee to Washington for the 

 consideration of works offered from time to time, the practice has 

 been adopted of having all works of exceptionally high merit offered 

 to the gallery accepted by the Smithsonian Institution for submis- 

 sion to the advisory committee at the annual meeting of the com- 

 mission or on occasions of particular importance, at especially called 

 meetings of the committee. 



Mr. Edmund C. Tarbell Avas selected a member of the commis- 

 sion to succeed Mr. EdAvin H. Blashfield, resigned, and his appoint- 

 ment was recommended to the Board of Regents. Regarding the 

 expiration of the three-year terms of three members of the commis- 

 sion, Messrs. John E. Lodge, James Parmelee, and E. W. Redfield, it 

 Avas decided to recommend to the Board of Regents the reelection 

 of these members for the succeeding term of four years. The pres- 

 ent members of the executive and advisory committees and the pres- 

 ent officers of the commission Avere reelected for the year 1925. 



The Piatt plans for the proposed National Gallery Building AA^ere 

 then presented by the secretary and were given careful considera- 

 tion by the members of the commission. 



