We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
32
Mr. EsTEPP. There is no question about it. In fact, I am saying that could have occurred with temperatures in excess of even 70 degrees, with the generation of its own heat and oxygen that it fed upon itself and generated its own heat inside that can. You did not need an outside source, although certainly that did not help the situation.
Mr. Ingram. As best as we can determine, that was the cause of the 1977 fire, this self-ignition ?
Mr. EsTEPP. I think GSA indicates they felt it was self -ignition and the minority report indicates that possibility even exists in the 1978 fire, that is, that perhaps conditions were even the same.
Mr. Ingram. Thank you.
Mr. Preyer. Chief, we appreciate the presence of you and your colleagues. This has been very helpful.
Our next witness is Dr. James B. Rhoads. I would like to ask him if he would allow us to present the following witnesses out of order, inasmuch as this has gone a little longer and there are some scheduling problems.
With Dr. Rhoads' consent, we would like to call a panel of two witnesses at this time.
One is Mr. George Stevens, Jr., the director of the American Film Institute. He has given us a lot of pleasure from his various activities at the Kennedy Center, including his productions, such as the "Tribute to Premier Hsiao Ping," Avhich was a magnificent evening.
Our other member of the panel is Miss Lillian Gish, who is a great American actress and who is also an expert on film restoration and has lectured and talked around the country on that subject.
We respect her very much as an actress. Today we are interested in her other area of expertise — film restoration.
Mr. Stevens and Miss Gish, would you please come forward.
Miss Gish. I have been at the New York airport since 8 o'clock this morning trying to get here. I must apologize, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Preyer. We appreciate even more your being here as a result.
I do not know how you wish to proceed. Would you like Miss Gish to proceed, Mr. Stevens?
Mr. Stevens. As you please.
Miss Gish. Since I have not been here to hear you, might it be better to ask me questions which I would be delighted to answer, if I can, intelligently, I hope.
Mr. Preyer. I am sure they will be intelligent answers.
Perhaps we should start, then, with Mr. Stevens and then we will go to the questions.
STATEMENT OF GEORGE STEVENS, JR., DIRECTOR, THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE
Mr. Stevens. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have a statement, but I think in view of the substantial amount of territory we wish to cover, if it is agreeable to you, I will submit my prepared statement for the record.
I will make some summary remarks. With my statement, I will also submit for the record a report prepared for the American Film Institute last year by William T. Murphy of the National Archives and