Gingrich Backs Smaller Exhibit

The Smithsonian plans to drastically scale down an exhibit on the atomic bombing of Japan, House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Friday. He welcomed the development, saying the Smithsonian should not be “a plaything for left-wing ideologies.”

Gingrich said that a conversation with Smithsonian Secretary I. Michael Heyman gave him the impression ‘that a much more limited exhibit is going to be there and that it’s going to be one which every American, and frankly, every citizen of the planet, can be proud of.”

On Monday, the governing Board of Regents of the Smithsonian, whose membership includes Vice President Al Gore and Chief Justice William Rehnquist, will meet to hear Heyman’s recommendation and deal with the yearlong controversy.

Heyman was not available to comment. Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas said “he’ll probably have his own ideas” to present to the regents.