4 REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 



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 Avhat 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 



