XIV PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



tion of the fund, and the receipts and disbursements during the year, 

 contained in the report of the executive committee of the Regents. 



CONDITION UF AVERY FUND AT CLOSE OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 1898. 



By a decision of the United States Supreme Court the title to cer- 

 tain real estate on Capitol Hill, owned by Robert Stanton Avery at the 

 time of his decease, and adversely claimed by the heirs of Mrs. Avery, 

 has been adjudged to be rightfully in the Smithsonian Institution. 

 This completes all litigation in connection with the Avery bequest, the 

 status of which is now entirely settled. 



The assessed valuation of the real estate now vesting in the Institu- 

 tion is $21,086. The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have 

 during the past year directed the cancellation of certain arrearages of 

 taxes charged against the property, and have relieved it from future 

 taxation. 



The personal estate is estimated to be worth $2,915. S7. It consists 

 of fifteen shares of stock, one gold bond, and a ))alance of $85.87 

 delivered over by Miss Aver}^ in the settlement of her account as 

 executrix to the National Safe Deposit, Savings and Trust Company, 

 of Washington City, to be held in accordance with the provisions of 

 the will of the testator, in trust for Miss Avery during her lifetime, 

 and upon her demise to become the property of the Institution. The 

 trust company has been designated as trustee by a decree of the equity 

 court. 



The revenue now derived from this bequest consists solely of the 

 receipts for rent of real estate, amounting in gross to $()0() annually. 

 From this is to be deducted the cost of repairs, commissions, etc., 

 which has latel}^ been at the rate of about $300 annually, leaving a net 

 revenue of about $300 a year. 



Mr. Henderson concluded the report with the remark that the show- 

 ing illustrated the necessity for the sale of the real estate, as pro- 

 vided for in the resolution adopted at the last meeting. 



On motion, the reports were accepted. 



The Secretary then made a statement as to the current affairs of 

 the Institution under separate heads, a form which he explained he 

 adopted with the hope that the Regents would express in each case 

 any opinions they might have for his better instruction. 



secretary's statement. 



ADMINISTRATION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



The resignation of Mr. Charles D. Walcott as Acting Assistant Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution in charge of the National Museum, which was announced at 

 the last meeting of the Regents, took effect on June 30, 1898. In the report of the 

 Secretary, now before the Regents, a statement is furnished as to the administrative 

 changes made in the Museum, by gathering the different departments under three 



