THE COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES 431 



and other matters connected with the summer investiga- 

 tions at various points of the coast, the Commissioner has 

 been a loser to the amount of nearly $2000.00 a year. 

 Since the completion of the Commission's buildings at 

 Wood's Hole, the Commissioner has paid, out of his own 

 private funds, all expenses of board of visitors to the 

 station as well as of his own family; a sum amounting to 

 $300.00 for the year 1885. 



In conclusion it may be stated that the Commissioner 

 receives his entire pay from the Smithsonian Institution, 

 which is not supported by the Government, and that 

 consequently the Government pays nothing for his 

 services either as United States Fish Commissioner or as 

 Director of the National Museum. It may also be stated 

 that, on several occasions when it was proposed to pay 

 him a salary, he declined to entertain the proposition 

 on the ground that it might impair his usefulness as 

 Commissioner by creating a popular impression that he 

 derived benefit from the appropriations made for its 

 maintenance. 



The fact may well be emphasized that the clause pro- 

 viding for noncompensation of the Commissioner was 

 inserted at his own request; but that the increase in the 

 duties and responsibilities of the post was due to the action 

 of Congress, at the suggestion of an outside Association 

 and not at that of the Commissioner. Some years ago 

 the Commissioner feeling the burden of furnishing quar- 

 ters to the Commission asked for an appropriation to pay 

 for the renting of outside rooms or a building; but Mr. 

 Holman, who was then the Chairman of the Committee 

 on Appropriations, declined to entertain the proposition 

 as he was opposed to anything that looked like fastening 

 an additional bureau upon the Government. 



