18 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1919. 



been, due primarily to the fact that the plant is becoming less efficient 

 each year. The cost of labor and material was $246.18 and for cur- 

 rent for operating the motor $982.51, making a total of $1,228.69. 



All of the fire extinguishers were recharged and thoroughly over- 

 hauled during the year. The electric fire alarm systems in all of the 

 buildings were inspected every three months. The system is not 

 entirely satisfactory, and it will undoubtedly be necessary to replace 

 it as soon as a more satisfactory system can be tested. 



In view of the large amount of miscellaneous work which the 

 Museum was called upon to do for the Bureau of War Risk Insur- 

 ance, the Bureau provided an electrician and furnished all the electric 

 lamps for replacements on the three floors occupied by it, at a cost 

 of $1,126.98. 



There were acquired during the year 4 exhibition cases and 199 

 pieces of storage and laboratory furniture, besides 682 unit drawers 

 and 400 insect drawers. The inventory of furniture at the close of 

 the year showed 3,556 exhibition cases, 11,178 pieces of storage, lab- 

 oratory, office, and other furniture, 45,867 wooden unit drawers, 

 4,712 metal unit drawers, 10,742 insect drawers, 10,671 special 

 drawers with compo bottoms, and 7,991 miscellaneous drawers, wing 

 frames, etc. 



During the period of the war heavier demands were made on the 

 members of the watch force than ever before, and in addition to this 

 many of the best men were called into the service. At one time the 

 force was reduced s'o low that there were not sufficient men to guard 

 the buildings and collections. The situation became so serious that 

 the Civil Service Commission, not having any eligibles on its regis- 

 ters, authorized the Museum to appoint men from the outside with- 

 out examination. Through the United States Employment Bureau 

 and other agencies a sufficient number of men was procured and the 

 force kept in a fair condition. 



COLLECTIONS. 



Tlie total number of specimens acquired by the Museum during the 

 year was approximately 526,845. Received in 1,198 separate acces- 

 sions, they were classified and assigned as follows: Department of 

 anthropologj', 12,333; zoology, 442,383; botany, 40,357; geology and 

 mineralogy, 4,750; paleontology, 26,050; textiles, woods, medicines, 

 foods, and other miscellaneous animal and vegetable products, 884; 

 mineral technology, 62 ; and National Gallery of Art, 26. As loans 

 for exhibition, 3,096 articles were also obtained, mainly for the divi- 

 sions of history and American archeology and the Gallery of Art. 



Material to the extent of 539 lots was received for special exami- 

 nation and report. 



