o THE SMITHSONIAN TORCH Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. No.4, April 1968 Bill Introduced to Establish Wilson Center for Scholars by Mary M. Krug spread .of learning must be the first work Legislation has been introduced into of a nation that seeks t.o be free. the Senate which, if passed, would estab­ "We can support Secretary Ripley's lish a Woodrow Wilson Internati.onal dream of creating a center here at the Center for Scholars within the frame­ Smithsonian where great scholars from work of the Smithsonian Institution. every nati.on will come and collaborate." In his message to C.ongress on the The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Com­ District of Columbia March 13 , Presi­ mission, established in 1961 to recom­ dent Johnson called for a Center that mend a permanent memorial to the could serve "as 'an institution of learn­ twenty-eighth President, suggested in ing that the 22nd century will regard as 1966 an International Center for S~hol­ having influenced the 21st.'" ars, to be located north of the National "I recommend legislation authorizing Archives building. Its final report stated the establishment of a Center to be .oper­ that "The C.ommission is impressed with ated by an independent b.oard of trustees Dr. Ripley's proposal that the Center be within the framework of the Smithsonian formally associated with the Smithsonian Institution. " Institution as a bureau under the guid­ S-3174, "A Bill, 'To Establish A Na­ ance of its own Board of TruSitees, with tional Memorial To Woodrow Wilson In its own Director and administrative The Smithsonian Institution''', was sub­ staff. . . ." sequently introduced into the Senate by The President then asked the Secre­ Clinton Anderson and co-spons.ored by tary of Health, Education and Welfare J. William Fulbright and Hugh Scott. All and the Temporary C.ommissi.on on three are Smithsonian Regents. Pennsylvania A venue to conduct a study The bill was referred to the Commit­ to develop the detailed plan for the tee on Rules and Administration. Center. Brennan Rash mounts a poster announcing May 6 opening of NCFA's new quar­ The President first espoused the idea The proposed legislation calls for the ters. This poster, done by Allen D'archangelo, is one of six different kinds com­ .of such a center in his speech at the Center to be administered by a 15-mem­ missioned by the National Collection and funded by Mrs. Albert List of New York Smithson Bicentennial Convocation in ber Board of Trustees, to be composed City. The other five were done by Francis, Bontecue, Chryssa, Oldenburg, and 1965. At that time he stated that "the In­ of the Secretary of State, the Secretary Rivers. 500 copies of each were reproduced for mounting in windows of neighbor­ stitution financed by Smithson breathed of Health, Education, and Welfare, the hood stores and museums throughout the country. life in the idea that the growth and the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, three individuals appointed by the President from within the Fed­ NCFA Quarters Will Open May 6 eral Government, and eight appointed by the es-ident fwm pr-iva te life. er g.omg Wit out a n.ome It c.ou (1 National C.ollection's new quarters will m.ore than 500,000 vIsItors will be at­ Among the p.owers which the bill call its .own for 122 years, the Nati.onal be held for Smithsonian empl.oyees.on tracted to the building during 1968. grants to the Board is authority to: Collection of Fine Arts will open to the Saturday, March 4, beginning at 3 p.m. More than 500 paintings, pieces of public on May 6 in the renovated Old Dr. David W. Scott, NCFA's Director, SCUlptu re, waterc.olors, prints and draw- "( 1) appoint scholars, from the United Patent Office Building. describes the new galleries as "am.ong ings have been selected for the opening States and abroad, and, where appropri­ A special showing of the paintings the greatest architectural settings for art exhibition from a total of 11 ,000 works ate, provide stipends, grants, and fellow­ and sculpture and an open house .of the in the world." He also estimates that in the National Collection. ships to such scholars, and to hire .or accept the voluntary services of con­ "The show," explains Dr. Scott, "will sultants, advisory boards, and panels to present a survey of three centuries .of aid the Board in carrying out its re­ American art, sculpture, and graphics." Maior SAO Observatory sponsibilities; The predominantly American collec­ tion, begun in the earliest days of the "(2) solicit, accept, and dispose of Smithsonian, came primarily through be­ gifts, bequests, and devises .of money, To Open on Mt. Hopkins quests and gifts from the nation's art securities, and other property .of whatso­ by Jim Cornell More important, many astronomy­ benefactors through the years. ever character for the benefit of the related industries and research organiza­ Among the largest private gifts were Center; any such money, securities, or An imp.ortant new Smiths.onian astro­ other property shall, upon receipt, be nomical observatory will open this spring tions also have settled in the Tucson area. those from Harriet Lane Johnson, Wil­ deposited with the Smithsonian Institu­ on M t. Hopkins, some 40 miles south The new Smithsonian installation is liam T. Evans, and John Gellatly, given expected to attract astronomers from in the early 1900's. A sizeable donation tion, and unless otherwise restricted by of Tucson in the Coronado National the terms of the gift, expenditures shall Forest, with the installation of a 34-foot, around the world. Already the National came in 1967 from the S. C. Johnson be in the discretion of the Board for the concave reflector designed for studies in Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Son Company of Racine, Wisconsin, purposes .of the Center; gamma-ray astronomy. Harvard University, the National Center which presented its entire collection of Work at the mountain-top SAO fa­ for Atmospheric Research, Dartmouth contemporary paintings. "( 3) obtain gran ts from, and make cility is already underway. An access road College, the University of Rochester, and Called "Art: U.S.A.," this impressive contracts with, State, Federal, local, and is completed, several equipment build­ the Massachusetts Institute of Techn.ology group contains 102 paintings by as many private agencies, organizations, institu­ ings are c.onstructed, and a laser system have expressed interest in participating American artists, and will be exhibited tions, and individuals; and for satellite tracking, plus several smaller in research on Mt. Hopkins. in its own special area at the opening. "( 4) acquire such site as a location conventional telescopes, are now operat­ (Continued on page 4) for the Center as may subsequently be ing. authorized by the Congress." When fully completed in 1969, the "Such a center," the bill declares, $2 million installation will support re­ "symbolizing and strengthening the fruit­ search in gamma-ray astronomy, satellite ful relations between the world of learn­ geodesy, atmospheric physics, and stellar ing and the world of public affairs, would atmospheres. The new site will serve as be a suitable memorial to the spirit of a national center for gr.ound-based Woodrow Wilson ..." gamma-ray astronomy. Other institutions engaged in similar research will be in­ Nicholas Suszynski (second from right), vited to share its facilities. Director of Sl's Information Systems The Tucson location was chosen for Division, puts the finishing touch on a its clear skies, clean air, dark nights and computer tape, which Dr. Donald Squires agreeable climate. SAO investigations, (far left) Deputy Director of MNH, will based on the precise ob~ervations .of ex­ take to The British Museum in London. t·remely faint light s.ources, require such This marks the first exchange of speci­ an atmosphere. men data between museums in different Other observing complexes already in countries, using computer techniques. the Tucson area include the Kitt Peak Reginald Creighton, senior systems ana­ National Observatory, the Lunar and lyst for the MNH project, looks on from Planetary Laboratory, and the Stewart the far right. Mr. Eugene P. Kennedy Observatory. (second from left), Chief of the U. S. This concentration of astronomical re­ Office of Education's Library and In­ search has made Tucson the host city for formation Services Research Branch, is a continuing round .of scientific meet­ on hand to represent HEW, which is ings, conferences, and conventions. funding the project. Page 2 THE SMITHSONIAN TORCH April, 1968 April Lunchbox Programs Abroad Talks to Cover GeHing AHention Africa to Moon Of April Travelers Lunchbox talks for April range from The Institution's international pro­ Africa to the moon. Speakers for the grams have drawn three travelers abroad National Air and Space Museum series, this month. Kennedy B. Schmertz, Inter­ Wednesdays at noon on the second floor national Activities, is in India until April of A&I, include: 13, reviewing foreign currency programs in that country. Lee M. Talbot, Ecology, April 3-F. C. Durant, III, Assistant will return the same date from an Inter­ Director, NASM, "Some Notes on the national Biology Program conservation History of Rocket Development, 1800- conference in Tunisia, and Lois A. Bing­ 1939." ham, NCFA, is visiting Italy, Poland, April 10-Karl F. Mautner, Office of Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and International Affairs, "An African Coun­ the Netherlands to make arrangements try at the Crossroads - the Modern for the Venice Biennale and to discuss Sudan." opportunities for exhibitions under the April 17-Robert Meyer, curator, pro­ International Art Program. pulsion, NASM, "The Smithsonian's The director and deputy director of Aeronautical Propulsion Hall," followed the Museum of Natural History are both by tour. spending the- early part of the month abroad. Richard S. Cowan is attending April 24-Dr. Brian H. Mason, re­ the International Union for Conserva­ search curator, Division of Meteorites, tion of Nature and Natural Resources MNH, "Recent Meteorites I've Met." SEE HOW HE GROWS-MNH scientists Thomas Soderstrom, Arthur Greenhall meeting at San Carbs de Bariloche, Ar­ May 1-Dr. John O'Keefe, assistant and Stanwyn Shetler and his actor-keeper observe as Uncle Beazley eats the Mall gentina. Donald F. Squires is in England chief, Laboratory for Theoretical Studies, grass that will help him grow into a 23-foot dinosaur in this scene from "The for a NATO advanced study institute at Goddard Space Flight Center, "Lunar Enormous Egg." The children's fantasy filmed here last summer will be shown on the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Volcanism." NBC-TV April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and conSUlting with colleagues on data processing methods. Frank A. Taylor, director of the U. S. National Museum, is lending his know­ Colleagues Recall Deignan and Henry how to the director of the National Herbert Deignan and Thomas Henry, holidays, was devoted to the interesting form and character gave him more than Museum of Iran, advising on methods two men with long and distinguished birdlife, studies which led to more usual understanding of relationships, be­ to improve the museum. He will also associations with the Smithsonian, died formal investigations in which the Smith­ yond those of species and genera. visit India, to arrange for a conference last month. Deignan, 61 , had been cura­ sonian Institution cooperated through As a Fellow of the American Orni­ on a regional museum service laboratory, tor of the Division of Birds and was funds that allowed employment of native thologists Union he served for a period and will return May 14. ornithologist emeritus at the time of his helpers, and also expeditions in the time as its secretary. And his other member­ The Zoo's John Perry is traveling death in Lausanne, Switzerland. Henry, he had available from his teaching. ships included the principal ornithologi­ through South America this month, 74, was a science writer. The two are From the beginning of his service on cal societies. Thailand honored his scien­ studying exhibition and construction in r'emembered here by colleagues. the staff of the Division of Birds he was tific work especially by the award of the zoos of Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay steadily productive in a series of short Order of the White Elephant. and Brazil. On the other side of the papers covering new forms and sum­ While his interests centered definitely world, Victor G. Springer is collecting Her&ert Deignan maries of relationship. These culminated in his scientific studies, his others em­ and studying marine fishes in Taiwan. Herbert Deignan's chosen field of sci­ in longer contributions - his Birds of braced a wide circle of friends. In addi­ entific activity was in ornithology, with Northern Thailand, followed later by a tion to his own scientific studies, he was his major interests and contributions in checklist of the birds of that country. helpful always to others, especially MNH Bookstore systematics. Following an excellent gen­ In addition to these, another major among younger persons who came to eral background in university studies, a accomplishment was a summary list of him constantly for advice. These connec­ Opening in April varied travel experience provided special the many type specimens of birds in the tions continued during his later life in A new look and a new concept of understanding of value in his museum Museum collections, with pertinent com­ Switzerland where he was consulted service to museum visitors goes into work. ment and discussion where necessary of constantly by newer workers, especially operation at the old museum shop loca­ A brief journey in Central America the various forms involved. This was in Thailand, because of his broad knowl­ was followed by an extended period in particularly useful with the older mate­ tion in the Museum of Natural History edge of that country. during April. Thailand, where he had connection with rial where, with modern knowledge, ALEXANDER WETMORE a government school at Cheng Mai. better understanding was possible. An Completely devoted to books on Here his leisure time, especially during excellent memory and a definite grasp of natural history and related to exhibits Thomas Henry in the museum, the newly renovated The death of Thomas R. Henry shop will have special sections for pub­ brought to a close the distinguished lications by museum curators and a large career of a man who, during the period selection of children's books on sub­ Viking Incident Recalled of his most productive years, reached jects such as gems, shells, prehistoric life by George J. Berkiacy versity, who was collecting botani­ the top of his profession as a popular­ and the American Indian. The details surrounding the cal specimens on the island in 1962 science writer. Obituaries in the local Mrs. Florence Lloyd is the newly ap­ event have long been known by and came across a large stone papers covered his journalistic activities pointed manager of Smithsonian book­ Smithsonian naval historians Mel­ lantern mounted atop a winch pretty well but did not stress two or shops. vin Jackson and Philip Lundeberg: which, it turned out, belonged to three items that concerned the Smith­ The 1,349-ton schooner Viking the Viking. sonian Institution. of New Bedford, Mass., was His trail finally led to New Bed­ Though a reguar staff member of the Women's Rights grounded and sunk in a storm off ford, whose residents were both Washington Star, Henry "moonlighted" the Japanese island of Mikurajima surprised and greatly pleased to at the Smithsonian for well over 30 years Group Named and on a free-lance basis wrote hundreds in 1863. The islanders rescued and hear the story, which had become Don't be too surprised if the Smith­ brought safely ashore 25 Ameri­ a legend on Mikurajima. of Smithsonian press releases, first under the direction of Webster P. True, who sonian someday has a female on its cans, including Captain Benjamin In 1967, one-hundred and four Board of Regents. initiated the press activities of the Insti­ Townsend, and 460 Chinese la­ years after the shipwreck, residents A 10-member advisory committee has borers bound for the California of New Bedford unveiled a plaque tution way back when, and later under the undersigned. Tom's work spanned been established to plan, among other gold fields. with due ceremony to express their things, an action program for assur­ The Americans returned home gratitude to the people of Mikura­ the terms of three Smithsonian Secre­ taries - Abbot, Wetmore, and Car­ ing equal employment opportunity for after receiving medical care and jima. A few weeks later, a similar women at the Smithsonian. other help from the islanders. The plaque was placed in a village on michael. If one were to go back into the files Members of the committee, formed t~eatment was considered excep­ the Japanese island by grateful by the Institution's new Office of Equal tIOnal because of Japan's isolation­ Americans, such as Polly Hussey of these releases, the magnitude of hiS service would be amply evident. They Employment Opportunity, are Lois ist policy at the time. of Bronxville, N.Y., whose late Bingham, NCFA; Iryne Black, General husband was the greatgrandson of covered not only current activities of the Last week, Mrs. William Mor­ ~ou~sel's Office; Ann Campbell, Orga­ den of Greenwich, Conn., a Smith­ the Viking's owner, George Hussey. Institution but also a great variety of science topics, particularly on research m~a.tl.on and Methods; Grace Cooper, sonian Associate, filled in the rest The markers were made by the DIVISion of Textiles, MHT; Dorothy of the story for the TORCH. Old Dartmouth Historical Society with which the Smithsonian was directly or indirectly concerned. Glenn, Office of Personnel; Helen Hayes, The almost forgotten history of and Whaling Museum in New Office of the Assistant Secretary (Sci­ the shipwreck, Mrs. Morden re­ Bedford. Tom will be remembered by many a \ ence); Maria Hoemann, Office of the I ported, was unearthed by Dr. Now the island of Mikurajima Smithsonian oldtimer as a friendly, con­ scientious, faithful newspaperman who Budget; Marion McCrane, National Zoo; Motoiku Takaha ~ hi of Tokyo Uni- may soon have its own museum­ Nancy Powars, Smithsonian Press (rep­ a "Memorial Hall" that will house had a knack for extracting the meat and juice from a hard scientific nut and mak­ resenting AFGE Lodge 2463); and all the valuable artifacts connected Dorothy Rosenberg, Office of the Assis­ with the Viking incident. (See cut.) ing it most readable and understandable for the general public. He served the tant Secretary (Administration). The memorial, which is being Institution at a time when its budget for Among their proposals-advanced only planned by a group of interested information activities was even smaller minutes after the committee itself was American and Japanese citizens, than it is today. Science reporting has formed-are more active recruiting in will, along with the plaque "serve made great strides since Henry began, women's schools, September through as a symbol of amity between the but he was one of the pioneers in the March employment for mothers of two shores across the Pacific school-aged -children, more training op­ Ocean." field, and his contribution ought not to be forgotten. portunities at non-government institu­ PAUL H. OEHSER tions for women employees. April, 1968 THE SMITHSONIAN TORCH Page 3 Social Biology Demands Attention, Dr. Ripley Says The following comments by Secretary Ripley are taken from The Smithsonian an undeclared war. Man, animated by hunger for profit or for spectacular Year, the annual report for fiscal 1967. The book, edited by John Lea of the action, continually erodes our landscape. Many feel indeed that this is SI Press, will be out April 10. appropriate, that man and nature can never live in harmony. Thomas Some years ago, in conversation, Hardy said, "nature and man can never be friends." Must we then kill off the late Robert Oppenheimer re­ our enemy and in so doing kill off ourselves? marked to me that he felt that men in Biologists have a social duty to alert citizens to the inescapable results the future would find the single area of such mass suicide. In this Institution we have in particular one great of greatest discovery in biology. Op­ scientific resource to bring to bear upon this problem. Our sorts of biolo­ penheimer was of course thinking gists are concerned with the quality of the environment, for they are con­ pr~marily of the then exciting dis­ cerned with systematics, with setting into categories organisms that are coveries in molecular biology, the end inescapably a part of the particular environments within which they, as effects of which, while perhaps in­ species, live. The assembled data about species in relation to their en­ evitably upon us, will not be revealed vironments assumes an historic and important relevance to the environ­ for many years. ment as it is today. That is, the recordings of systematists become a series As a biologist, one might now ques­ of benchmarks against which modern environments can be gauged. To tion whether there is not another area put it in crude terms we know for example that the American mountain where discoveries rather than refine­ lion was exterminated from all the eastern seaboard States by the late ments await us. To me it seems that 1800s, except for the fastnesses of Florida and parts of West Virginia the single area ,which needs the great­ and Vermont. Today the principal popUlation of mountain lions survives est amount of attention from discover­ precariously only in parts of the Sierra Nevada and the high mountains ers is that uncharted and almost un­ of the West. We also know why. We know the food habits, the predator­ known fi eld which might be called social biology. The field is unknown prey food chain, the range requirements, the amount of "leaving alone" and uncharted because it is not a specialty, and today most scientists are which a mountain lion requires in order to live and reproduce its kind. trained for narrow specialties. Biologists are concerned primarily with In a similar way we know the requirements of a whole series of animal laboratory or field studies of animal and plant species. Sociologists are and plant species, and what happened to them when these requirements concerned primarily with the study of the origins and history and consti­ were not met. tution of human society. In universities the departments of the two All these situations are similar in that a certain formula is involved. disciplines are usually in separate buildings, and in libraries the books A proportion of one or another sets of conditions is required, without they use tend to come from different parts of the stacks. which a certain species will not occur. The declining ratio of natural to man-made conditions over the continent creates multiple effects which Scientists or Humanists? can be measured or simulated through models. The results, when arrayed In fact, sociologists labor under the disadvantage of being somewhat against the resources of the planet, surely could tell us much of the ability luxated; are they scientists or are they humanists? It is a symbol of the of various species to survive. The results also tell us something of man's age that they should feel thus dislocated. It is of course unnecessary. plasticity and tolerance, and of his ability to survive the changes he is Similarly, some thoughtful biologists tend today to feel slightly uncom­ introducing into the environment. fortable about being scientists. Science in the public mind has come to be associated almost exclusively with the physical sciences or with medi­ cine. Scientists are white-coated men, either possessed of a Batman-like Standards for Survival syndrome, about to fly off into space, or else all-knowing, wise versions One of the keys to American success in foreign aid and indeed in of Dr. Kildare. In any case, biologists who have to do with physico- foreign relations will be the degree to which American planners pay chemical processes involving the components of a single cell, or those attention to the knowledge of environmental problems already possessed who are involved with medical science, can perhaps feel closer to the by American scientists. At present there is little if any indication that aid physical scientists and to medicine. planners or foreign policy planners have ever heard of ecology or would ;.--.-----~ut ielegists--as-seei-ated-with nattlral-phenomcna in gIOss;-exter'1TII"t------know- ho · to-tatk--to-a-system-a-t' biclegist if thc) mct OflC. Aflcl yet in terms, with population biology and thc dynamics of large systems, and areas of the tropical world today ecologists and systematists are far more with much of what is today called ecology (a badly misused word in most capable of predicting the effects of change in the environment than are cases) as well as paleobiologists and evolutionists-many of these sorts engineers and dam builders or agriculturists. The proposed International of biologists find themselves somewhat dislocated. Perhaps they are in Biological Program-unknown to most planners or policy makers-has danger of becoming humanists? Perhaps indeed the scientific sociologists within it the capacity of mobilizing field biologists into a concerted effort and the humanist biologists are approaching each other, figures on a to understand the present state of our terrestrial environment all over the darkened and uncharted stage. world. The resulting information could be utilized in a way which might When one says that there is an area here which perhaps contains the provide vital criteria, real benchmarks against which to set our standards single, greatest problem that man faces today, one is referring to prob- for survival for the future. Our traditional economic and political aims, lems of human survival and of morality. Here it must be said 'that many keyed to commercial development and the promotion of consumer con- scientists are greatly troubled about the responsibilities and the integrity sciousness, have blinded us to our own survival. of science. Scientists and sociologists alike work in disciplines where study Another disorder of this age is graphicaUy illustrated by the decline brings them a knowledge of the social consequences of the discovery of of social and moral values in our cities. The problems of deteriorating new technologies and of new principles about behavior. By training, how- environment and of social disorder are related. As the landscape suffers, ever, most scientists tend to be cautious about ascribing broad implica- man becomes less humane. As Eric Hoffer, speaking of our increased tions to the results of narrowly defined and controlled experiments. command over nature, says, "In many parts of the world the taming of Science-minded sociologists tend to have kindred feelings, and often prefer nature by rapid industrialization gave rise to degrees of social barbariza- to remain aloof from the dangerous area where theoretical results are tion." If man cannot live in cities as a humane individual, then he can- correlated with non-controlled situations. not survive. Thus social biologists have a duty to alert citizens to the inescapable results of urbanization. Responsibility to Speak In this Institution, a world center for anthropology, there should be a And yet there is a responsibility to speak out. As the conditions of whole series of benchmarks which, interpreted by social anthropologists, the environment deteriorate, as the social disorders of the age deepen, could produce models of stress, crowding phenomena, aggression and the special relationship between the scientist's social responsibilities and hostility. Our view derived from these data could be of great use, indeed his general duties of citizenship grows critical. As Barry Commoner says, ensynoptic. "If the scientist, directly or by inferences from his actions, lays claim to a special responsibility for the resolution of the policy issues which relate to technology, he may, in effect, prevent others from performing their own political duties. If the scientist fails in his duty to inform citizens, they are precluded from the gravest acts of citizenship and lose their right of conscience." In 1847 Joseph Henry, meditating upon the course of the Smithsonian Institution, wrote: "To effect the greatest amount of good, the organiza­ tion should be such as to enable the Institution to produce results in the way of increasing aJ}d diffusing knowledge, which cannot be produced by the existing institutions in our country." What is there that we in the Smithsonian can think upon which would illumine the basic problems confronting social biology? There are certainly three paths along which we might travel toward illumination: one leads to the study of terrestrial environment, another to the study of our social environment, and the third to the study of man as an evolving species. The disorder of our age is graphically illustrated by the slow gegrading The first day of spring brought what was probably only the first of a steady stream of visitors who will pause for rest or reflection by the new MHT fountain. Secretary of man's terrestrial environment. There is something inherently wrong Ripley expects its waters to cool many a young tourist's feet when the summer months with man's relations with his environment. Nature suffers continually in arrive. Page 4 THE SMITHSONIAN TORCH April, 1968

Oliver Henderson (left) and Alden Jackson of NCFA's Frame Shop ready a frame--one of hundreds, The office of Dr. David Scott, Director of the National Collection of Fine Arts, big and small, wide and thin­ resembles a small gallery. Here Dr. Scott pauses before "Int'. Surface Number 1," which will hold one of the paInt­ an abstract by Stuart Davis. The explosive painting hangs on the wall to the right ings for the opening. of Dr. Scott's desk. Visitors to his office can't miss it. NCFA Once Was National Gallery (Continued from page 1) left in the studio nearly 200 pieces of Washington in 1829, owned by John The largest painting that the National sculpture and a collection of letters to Varden, and later assimilated into the Collection will exhibit is Alexander and from many of the famous personal­ National Institute, the forerunner of the Liberman's abstract work, Green Diag­ ities of the 19th century. Smithsonian. onal, measuring 8 feet 4 inches by 18 Included in the scupture collection is Conceived as a repository of art do­ feet 4 inches. The smallest is Albert the original model of Powers' celebrated nated to the government-it still is pri­ Pinkham Ryder's Passing Song, approxi­ "Greek Slave," which brought him wide­ marily dependent on private gifts-the mately 5 inches by 9 inches. spread fame when it was exhibited at National Collection was formally estab­ Works from the remarkable collection the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. lished along with the Smitqsonian in of sculpture 'by Hiram Powers will be The work inspired Elizabeth Barrett 1846. displayed in a room recalling Powers' Browning's sonnet, "The Fair Stone." Interestingly, it became known by law "The Defender," by Thomas Lipton, wlll original studio in Florence, Italy. This In its origin the National Collection as the National Gallery of Art in 1906 be in the opening display of sculpture in studio will open later in the year. traces even farther back than Hiram and retained the title until 1937. the Granite Gallery. When Powers died 95 years ago, he Powers. It began in a small museum in In that year, Andrew Mellon's great gift assumed the designation of The N a­ tional Gallery, and the original Smith­ sonian's holdings became the National Portrait in Anonymity Collection of Fine Arts. Congress then redefined its purpose: in addition to preserving the old collec­ John Wink Would Rather tions and acquiring new ones, NCFA was "to foster ... a growing appreciation of art" and "to encourage the development His Work Go Unnoticed of contemporary art and to effect the widest distribution and cultivation in by J. A. C. Dunn might give a rare old rifle only a matters of such art." It is easy to miss John Wink. passing glance if it were displayed Now, after all those years in the In fact, it is hard to find him. The insensitively, as though carelessly Museum of Natural History dominated government pays him not to be left behind by somebody. by the Fenykovi elephant, the permanent noticed. John Wink likes that. Un­ John Wink can make even a and special exhibitions of the National noticeability is the keystone of his plain wooden mallet look as though John Wink Collection will have their rightful place. it is about to leap out of the display art. Dr. Scott, his staff, and the National case and bang things. Of course, You go into the Smithsonian Collection now not only have ample he has to invent a way to ·do it. three months assembling, and it through the underground vehicle office space and exhibition galleries, but He has already discarded or im­ is a masterpiece. You never notice entrance, past the loading plat­ also at their disposal are a beautifully proved on the Smithsonian's old the little metal arms holding the form and into the basement corri­ appointed library, conservation and pho­ standard teohniques of object-dis­ compasses and the astrolabes in dors, drift momentarily toward the tographic laboratories, assembly and lec­ play, and now he is playing the their niches lined with red fabric, smell of the kitchen, blunder into and if you want to see the reverse ture rooms, and even a private parking and out of a few offices, peer at game off the top' of his head. The lot. secret is invention. side of something you press a foot door numbers, and eventually you treadle and a small motor turns the But it is really that impressive 77,690 find John Wink lurking in an un­ A few rules exist, but they only display panel around. A mirror has square fe et of exhibit space that brings make the game harder. A brass suspected little workshop with bits even been mounted so the under­ a satisfied smile to Dr. Scott's face. hook holding an old rifle upright of brass strewn around on scarred side of one instrument can be seen. How does Dr. Scott compare the Lin­ cannot touch the metal of the tables, and "in the air a smell of Personally, John Wink appears coln Gallery and the Granite Gallery, hot metal. rifle itself; a tiny doeskin felt pad must cushion its grip. No awkward to be a sort of personification of of the "new" National Collection of John Wink: Small, tubby, forty­ his work, which is just this side of Fine Arts with the Art Hall and Foyer lumps may mar the symmetry of ish, black-rimmed spectacles, blue­ an antique plate. Bracket flanges a vanishing act. He came to Wash­ Gallery of the Museum of Natural His­ tory, where NCFA for many years held checked sport shirt. He seems de­ cannot be clumsily wrought, and ington eight years ago from Lin­ exhibitions? lighted to be discovered-he is must blend with the color of what­ coln, Neb., where he had painted pretty proud of his work, and he theater scenery and worked at mer­ ever they hold. For this reason, He just smiles, and asks whether you should be. His product gives no chandising display. John Wink uses only silver solder, would like another tour of the new facili­ hint of the hours of agonizingly which can be polislhed. Sometimes Once he owned his own ready­ ties. delicate labor he put into it. he camouflages metal hooks and to-wear store, but he found it dull. John Wink makes hooks and brackets with paint. He makes No matter how cleverly the shirts brackets and fastenings to hold up everything by hand, and no two were arranged in the window. the CORRECTION the specimens of history which the pieces are ever the same. business was still essentially a mat­ ter of simply waiting for people to To the Editor: Smithsonian displays. Somebody He also works with wood and come in and buy them. So John else designs the layout in the dis­ plastic. Glassware is displayed in From Scotland came the Scots, from Wink quit and went to work play cases, but John Wink's func­ clear plastic boxes of various England came the English, from North­ artistically and undetectably en­ tion is to motlnt whatever is to be shapes, and many of these John ern Ireland came the Irish, Scots-Irish shrining bits of history for the gov­ displayed so that it is both pleas­ Wink makes himself. Plastic is not and who knows what besides; and ernment. ant to behold and gives a feeling easy to work with because it is we all come from Great Britain and are "It's kind of recognition in re­ of depth and movement. brittle and its edges are difficult BRITONS (or, maybe North Britons if verse," says John Wink. "The This is not easy. A cup and to fasten together. Also, it acts as we come from Aberdeen and farther pleasure of it is knowing that peo­ saucer are pretty static, after all. a prism, from certain angles, offer­ north). ple aren't going to notice your Even a 100-year-old pair of spec­ ing the eye distracting reflections. But not one of us is a Britisher, even work. It's creative, but people tacles can look pretty dull. Frag­ The whole business is very touchy if we put up with Germans calling us never see it." ments of a rotted cannonball do and exacting. Britische or Britischin. [See book review, not set the average person's blood One display, of early technical Reprinted from the Charlotte, N.C. March TORCH] afire, and the most rabid gun buff instruments, John Wink spent Observer P. W. Bishop, chairman Department of Arts & Manufacturers