PROCEEDIIMGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. XIX 



1. The jsiradnates of the universities and colleges of the United States need opportu- 



nities to utilize the libraries, collections, and special apparatus under control of 

 the Government and to familiarize themselves with the technical and scientific 

 operations of the Goverinnent. This principle has already been recognized l)y 

 Congress in act of April 12, 1892, as regards institutions in the District of 

 Columbia. 



2. The National, State, and local governments and the people of the United States 



need the services of an increasing number of technical and scientific experts 

 who can best be trained in special lines in connection with the Government 

 work. 



3. The Smithsonian Institution is regarded by the Government officers and by the 



universities and colleges of the country as a central agency for the promotion of 

 higher scientific education and research. It is already a recognized leader in 

 scientific enterprises in this country and only needs to broaden its operations 

 somewhat to take up this new work. It has an invaluable basis for this work 

 and its freedom from political influences gives it the confidence of the country. 

 All its traditions regarding scientific work are right. 



4. By allying itself with the universities and colleges and with the scientific Govern- 



ment bureaus, the Smithsonian Institution will strengthen its scientific leader- 

 ship and be able more thoroughly to promote the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge. It will broaden its basis of support and have a better chance of 

 securing public and private funds for research work of the highest order. It 

 will thus be able to maintain and extend its leadership in science and grow in 

 strength with the growth of universities throughout this country. As local 

 scientifii' institutions develop in different parts of the country, is it not desirable 

 that the Smithsonian Institution shall take an advance step in its relation with 

 these institutions? 



ATTITUDE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OP AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AND EXPERIMENT 



STATIONS. 



If the Smithsonian Institution is declared to be favorable to the organization and 

 maintenance of a Bureau of Graduate Study, this committee is authorized to pledge 

 and does pledge the active support of the American Association of Agricultural Col- 

 leges and Experiment Stations toward the securing of the necessary legislation and 

 funds for the establishment and support of the Bureau. If the Regents of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution so desire, this committee will take the initiative in seeking the 

 introduction into Congress of bills for this purpose and in urging their passage, but 

 only after an express assurance from the Regents that such action will receive their 

 cordial indorsement and support. 



TENTATIVE DRAFT OF ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISHING A BUREAU OF GRADUATE STUDY. 



Beit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 

 in Congress assembled, That there shall be and hereby is annually appropriated out 

 of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of fifty thousand 

 dollars for the year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and one, and the same 

 sum for each succeeding year, to enable the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

 to organize and maintain a Bureau of Graduate Study for the purpose of securing 

 for the graduates of the universities and colleges of the several States and Territories 

 and of the District of Columbia, opportunities to utilize the libraries, scientific col- 

 lections, apparatus, and laboratories owned by the United States and in charge of 

 officers of the United States, for advanced studies and researches under regulations 

 to be prescribed by the said Regents and as far as shall be mutually agreed upon 

 between the said Regents and the heads of the several Executive Departments of the 



