I am building a chest and dropdown desk. It is based on a measured drawing
of a piece in the NY Historical society.

What troubles me and is the reason for the post is that it shows the dust
dividers rabbited and glued to the solid wood (Walnut) sides with the grain
of the sides up and down and the grain of the wood on the side of the dust
dividers parallel to the side from front to back. It seems to me that this
will stop wood movement of the sides (20") and risk serious damage over
time. One other note: these dividers and the glue joint is essential to the
structural integrity of the piece.

I have thought of making the side pieces so their grain is perpendicular to
the side so they will expand with the side but they are only 3" wide and are
the runners for the drawers.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Am I being concerned about nothing?