PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 107 
be outfitted by the Institution, and he thought a resolution of thanks 
due the gentlemen who had displayed such public spirited citizenship. 
On motion, the following resolution was adopted: 
Resolved, That the thanks of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 
be conveyed by the secretary of the Institution to the donors who have so generously 
contributed funds to meet the expenses of naturalists who will accompany Mr. Theo- 
dore Roosevelt upon his expedition to Africa, the results of which will be presented 
by the President to the Smithsonian Institution for the National Museum. 
PROPOSED LANGLEY MEDAL AND TABLET. 
The secretary read the following letter: 
Beinn BureaGuH, NEAR Bappeck, Nova Scorta, 
December 5, 1908. 
Hon. C. D. Watcort, 
Secretary Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 
Dear SECRETARY WatcotT: The Wright brothers are being deservedly honored in 
Kurope. Can not America do anything for them? Why should not the Smithsonian 
Institution give a Langley medal to encourage aviation? 
Yours, sincerely, 
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL. 
The secretary ‘said that Secretary Langley was undoubtedly the 
founder of the present school of aviation; that all the students of the 
subject were now adopting the principles which he announced, and 
it would appear to be a proper action on the part of the Board of 
Regents to recognize his work in this subject by the establishment of 
such a medal. 
After discussion, the following resolution was adopted on motion 
of Senator Cullom: 
Resolved, That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution establish a 
medal to be known as the ‘‘Langley medal,’’ to be awarded for specially meritorious 
investigations in connection with the science of aerodromics and its application to 
aviation. 
Senator Bacon said that further recognition should be given Sec- 
retary Langley by the erection in the Smithsonian building of a 
memorial tablet setting forth his services in this important subject, 
and, after discussion, Senator Lodge offered the following resolution, 
which was adopted: 
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be requested to report 
to the Board of Regents as soon as practicable upon the erection in the Institution 
building of a tablet to the memory of Secretary Langley, setting forth his services in 
connection with the subject of aerial navigation. 
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SECRETARY'S STATEMENT. 
Resignation of Assistant Secretary Adler.—I greatly regret to report 
to you that Dr. Cyrus Adler, assistant secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, in charge of the library and exchanges, resigned that 
