PEOCEEDINGS OF REGENTS. 97 



York, on the ground that the court of appeals did not give full faith 

 and credit to the constitution of Ohio, in respect to prohibiting the 

 general assembly of that State from passing such acts conferring cor- 

 porate powers. The Supreme Court of the United States decided 

 against the contention of the Smithsonian counsel, under date of 

 May 17, 1909. 



Doctor Bell also reported that no change had occurred in the con- 

 ditions existing in connection with the Avery estate and the Sprague 

 and Reid bequests at the time of the last report. 



On motion the report was accepted. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



The secretary submitted his report for the fiscal year ending June 

 30, 1909, explaining that it had been transmitted to the members of 

 the board prior to this meeting. 



On motion the report was accepted. 



THE LANGLEY MEDAL. 



The secretary stated that at the meeting of the board held February 

 10, 1909, the Langley medal had been awarded to Messrs. Wilbur and 

 Orville Wright. Notification of this action was transmitted to them 

 in France through the American ambassador, and the following 

 acknowledgment was received: 



Pau, March 15, 1909. 

 Dear Sir: We have received through the American ambassador, Mr. White, your 

 letter of February 18, 1909, informing us of the action of the Board of Regents awarding 

 to us the Langley medal. The honor of such recognition at the hands of an institution 

 of such high standing and unique character is one which we naturally appreciate most 

 highly. 

 We beg that you will communicate to the board our very sincere thanks and remain, 

 Yours truly, 



Wilbur Wright. 



Orville Wright. 

 Mr. Chas. D. Walcott, 



Washington, D. C. 



The secretary added that the Wright brothers had accepted an 

 invitation to be present at the board meeting of February 10, 1910, 

 and receive these medals in person. 



THE LANGLEY MEMORIAL TABLET. 



The secretary said that at a previous meeting Senator Bacon 

 suggested that a tablet in memory of Secretary Langley be erected 

 in a suitable portion of the Smithsonian building, and the board had 

 requested a report upon the subject. 



He presented a report which contained a recommendation that a 

 committee be appointed with power to select the tablet and assign a 

 97578°— sm 1910 7 



