Smithsonian should be more open, official says

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution should become more open and transparent, but also needs to maintain exceptions to the federal Freedom of Information Act, Secretary G. Wayne Clough said yesterday after two months as chief executive of the museum complex.

Mr. Clough said he opposes an effort in Congress to place the Smithsonian under the government's public records law because the museums on the National Mall will have to look beyond the government to pay for programs in the future. Taxpayer money currently covers about 70 percent of the Smithsonian's $1 billion budget.

"If the Smithsonian is...