Page Four 



part on a few, unconiiiion men endowed with liberality of 

 purse as of mind. There is generally cooperation — often 

 whole-hearted — on the part of (.'ity or State authorities. 

 But frequently, as in our own case, this takes the form of 

 contributions for general maintenance. It is to open- 

 handed men of means that present day progress in the prose- 

 cution of Museum aims and ideals is very largely due. And 

 none more than American Museum employees can appreciate 

 this fact. For over the entire coui'se of our history it has been 

 strikingly demonstrated. This sincere goodwill of Corpora- 

 tion for employees, and vice versa, is one of the strong, under- 

 lying factors in the Museum employee's philosophy. But a 

 very few, however lavish in their benefactions, cannot finance 

 so vast and intricate an organization as a big Museum. And 

 a system which depends for the support of such enterprises 

 on the philanthropy of a limited class savors too strongl}' of 

 the paternalistic to be reconcilable with our democratic 

 culture. 



In view of the scope of their service, it is a condition not 

 to be viewTd with indifference that Museums receive such 

 slight material recognition from the average person. That 

 men of science and those allied with them in their endeavor 

 carry on unfalteringly and with little complaint of their 

 hardships in the face of living conditions today, does not 

 relieve of responsibility the larger and better compensated 

 body of men who enjoy the fruits of scientific labor. As a 

 sign of genuine progress will come the layman's livelier appre- 

 ciation and more generous support of scientific research. 

 Such an ideal may perhaps be realized, as President Osborn 

 has already suggested, through the payment of a direct 

 educational poll-tax. Taxes of this sort are already in force 

 in seventeen of our States. But whatever form its expression 



