138 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1952 



to suffer from lack of space, and activities are limited by the relatively 

 small force of personnel, yet every effort has been made to keep a 

 high standard for the displays and informational services that are 

 the two principal ways in which the Museum serves the public. These 

 and other activities of the bureau are covered further in this report. 



There have been changes and reductions in personnel, the most im- 

 portant being the retirement on April 30, 1952, of Carl W. Mitman 

 after 41 years with the Smithsonian, closing his career in the position 

 of Assistant to the Secretary for the National Air Museum. His 

 thorough knowledge of museum techniques, educational methods, and 

 Government procedures, combined with excellent administrative 

 ability, gave to the National Air Museum a firm foundation during 

 the critical days of its establishment. Paul E. Garber was made head 

 curator on April 10. 



Following the retirement of Mr. Mitman, the bureau gave up its 

 administrative quarters in the northeast corner of the Arts and In- 

 dustries Building, concentrating the offices in the group of rooms 

 erected several years ago in the opposite corner of the same building. 



The accessions for the year have brought additions to many parts of 

 the collection, including full-sized aircraft, engines, instruments, 

 experimental and scale-model aircraft, parachutes, and trophies. 

 They also are evidence of a growing recognition of the function of 

 the National Air Museum by other Government departments, the air- 

 craft industry, and individuals who with confidence can entrust their 

 significant treasures to the bureau's custody, enabling the Museum 

 to not only keep abreast of recent developments but also to fill gaps 

 in the background story. 



ADVISORY BOARD 



No meetings of the Board were held during the year; there was 

 one change in personnel, Maj. Gen. Donald L. Putt, U. S. A. F., being 

 replaced by Maj. Gen. Laurence C. Craigie, U. S. A. F. He and 

 members of his staff have been particularly helpful in enabling adjust- 

 ments to be made between the limited resources of the Museum and 

 the eviction schedule of the Air Force at Park Ridge; and also in 

 effecting the preparation of the site for the new storage area at Suit- 

 land, Md. The naval member of the Board, Rear Adm. Thomas S. 

 Combs, and his civilian assistant for Museum liaison, Alfred V. 

 Verville, have cooperated closely with the Museum officials in pre- 

 paring and transferring selected naval specimens to the Museum and in 

 preserving other significant naval air items on naval premises until 

 the Museum can take custody of them. The civilian presidential 

 appointees to the Board, Grover Loening and William B. Stout, have 

 been of frequent assistance in recommending that certain desirable 

 objects be procured and in offering other helpful suggestions. 



