REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1923 15 
at that time, but on the occasion of the rededication of the State 
Museum in 1916, when Colonel Theodore Roosevelt delivered the 
principal address of the program, the building was brought to his 
notice as an expression of the realization of the museum as outlined 
in the statute of the State. With the creation of the Roosevelt 
State Memorial Commission in 1920, this plan or the idea and the 
necessity which it embodied, was brought before the commission and 
accepted by them eventually as an alternative proposition for their con- 
sideration and approval, the other being a plan to erect a cenotaph 
hall of great magnitude as a part of the facade of the American 
Museum of Natural History in New York City. The merits of the 
two proposals were studied with infinite care by the commission, and 
on a final vote this commission of six members was divided 3 to 3, 
so that it became necessary to report to the Legislature the findings 
of the commission in that form. In consequence of this situation, 
bills were introduced in both houses of the Legislature of 1924, pro- 
viding for each of the plans; that of the State capital city and 
that of New York City. While the debate upon the merits of 
these claims has not at this time been determined, the effort on 
behalf of the Museum authorities to interest the public in the welfare 
of the State Museum has been most productive of expressed concern 
from all over the State and has thus resulted in more widespread 
knowledge of the State Museum, its statutory claims and its actual 
functions and activities. A new outlook which carries favorable 
intimations for the welfare of the State Museum is presented by 
the recommendations of Governor Alfred E. Smith for additional 
buildings to meet the requirements of the enlarged administration of 
state business. The appointment of a commission to make recom- 
mendations in this matter should naturally lead to the inclusion of 
the Museum within the plans of this building project. 
Committee on Geographic Names 
The Legislature of 1922-23 repealed the law creating the State 
Board of Geographic Names. This board was created by statute in 
1913 with the Commissioner of Education as ex officio chairman, 
Director of the Museum as Secretary and Executive Officer, and 
with three members appointed by the Governor. It never drew an 
appropriation, never cost the State a cent, but during its existence 
accomplished no little good work in regulating the introduction of 
new place names and in compiling and explicating the existing names. 
Its reports were printed on occasion with the annual reports of the 
