4 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1907. 
trained in different branches of knowledge. Henry was a physicist, 
Baird a naturalist, Langley an astronomer and physicist. While 
they were carrying on the general affairs of the Institution each of 
these men pursued particular investigations. No one of them, how- 
ever, allowed his judgment to be biased by the limitations of his own 
specialty. I hope to follow in the footsteps of these men. In addi- 
tion to guiding the affairs of the Institution, I expect to carry on 
research work in geology and paleontology, and to prepare some 
memoirs on these subjects which have occupied a large part of my 
life. Such research work produces a greater sympathy and under- 
standing of the special work of others; as in the past, it will in no 
wise tend to alter the universal character of the Institution or to 
limit my interest in all departments of research. 
My predecessors have so wisely and so economically administered 
the affairs of the Institution that I have come to a well-equipped 
establishment with its traditions and its policy founded upon right 
principles, and they do not appear to be susceptible of material 
improvement. I shall, however, through special agencies created 
from time to time, carefully study the workings of the Institution 
and of all of its branches with the purpose of satisfying myself as 
to existing conditions and methods, and in order to retain a practical 
and high standard of administration. 
Speaking for the Institution proper, it appears to me that it has 
been developed to the full extent possible under its present endow- 
ment. It can not have escaped the attention of observers that, 
in the sixty years and more in which the Smithsonian Institution 
has existed, few additions have come to its funds. While money has 
been freely given for the enlargement of existing institutions of 
learning and research and even more has been forthcoming for the 
establishment of new ones, the fund of this Institution remains at 
about $1,000,000, but a little over double what it was at its founda- 
tion. The generous men and women who have supported science 
and art in this country have possibly not considered the fact that 
there is necessarily a waste in the founding of a new organization. 
Moreover, a much greater amount of good can often be accomplished 
by financially aiding an existing institution than by creating a new 
one of the same type. That this Institution has popularity can not 
be doubted, but it has seemed to suffer from one of its greatest advan- 
tages, namely, its connection with the Government. Being a ward 
of the nation, it is thought by the public to be a recipient of generous 
Congressional appropriations. - While this is in a measure true for 
the branches in charge of the Institution, yet no provision is made by 
Congress for carrying on the activities of the Institution proper. I 
think this is a very sound condition, but feel that it should be made 
