ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



1918 



To the Trustees of Field Museum of Natural History: 



I have the honor to present a report of the operations of the Museum 

 for the year ending December 31, 1918. 



The negotiations of the National Government to secure the new 

 Museum structure for hospital purposes, the contract to this end which 

 was entered into, the resulting increase in building operations in accord- 

 ance with the terms of the contract and the subsequent sudden cancella- 

 tion by the Government of the contract following the European armistice 

 had naturally a confusing and disturbing effect upon the affairs of the 

 Museum during the later part of the year. The preparations for the 

 transfer to the new building had been underway for sometime, but 

 work of this character was more actively prosecuted after the contract 

 with the Government had been entered into and the methods of packing 

 were altered in view of the expectation to store the material for several 

 years, or during the operation of the contract or lease. The probability 

 as now appears, that the transfer to the new building may take place 

 next year and possibly in the autumn, will require continued and 

 assiduous efforts in preparation for this event that will leave little else to 

 be done in the old building. The progress so far made and the methods 

 employed may be said to be satisfactory but not remarkable. 



The Museum has felt the common influence of the war upon its 

 economic affairs and, operating upon a fixed income, has reduced its 

 expenditures as far as possible to the necessities of maintenance. The 

 high prices of fuel and of materials of every variety entering into the 

 every day affairs of the Institution have, except for reserves, 

 practically exhausted the annual receipts and left little to be 

 recorded in the way of new or progressive activities. 



To what may be ascribed the large decrease in attendance is doubtful. 

 The public in some way appears to have gained the impression, which it 

 has not been easy to correct, that the present building has been closed or 

 was in a state of some confusion, because of preparations for immediate 

 removal to and storage of its contents in the new building, which was to 

 be used for three years as a Government hospital. This may be regarded 

 as one reason. Probably, however, the falling off in attendance has been 

 due very largely to the consuming interest of the public in the war and 



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