20 DEPARTMENTAL EEPORTS. 



In addition, the following buildings were also repaired, improved, 

 and equipped, and supplies purchased therefor at the total cost set 

 opposite each, viz: 



Bismarck. N. Dak $7, 064. 14 



Jupiter, Fla 3,358.00 



Kittyhawk, N. C 125.00 



Cape Henry, Virginia 5, 104. 25 



Supplies, instruments, etc 1, 647. 64 



Total 1 7, 279. 03 



In regard to the above, however, it nuiy be proper to add that the 

 buildings at Port Crescent, Wash., and Jupiter, Fla., are still in 

 course of construction, but it is expected that they will be completed 

 within the next three months. 



It was deemed advisable not to lay a cable between Tatoosh Island 

 and the mainland, Washington, but instead to build a span wire 

 across, in order that the balance of the money thus created might be 

 used in the repair and improvement of the buildings above mentioned. 

 General repairs, however, are now being made to the telegraph line 

 from Port Crescent to Tatoosh Island, Washington, at an approximate 

 cost of $3,000, which leaves a balance of about 11,768.4-1 to be covered 

 into the Treasury. Only such jjortion of this special appropriation 

 has been expended as has been absolutelj^ necessary for the work in 

 question, and while the unexpended balance can be used for the pur- 

 chase of supplies for anj^ of the buildings named, I have felt it my 

 duty not to incur any additional expense against this fund, as I believed 

 that the buildings in question were sufficiently well equipped to meet 

 the needs of the Weather Bureau. 



The press has spoken in high terms of the benefit that the buildings 

 will be to the marine and other interests. 



In view of the complimentary criticisms from the public and the 

 economy to the Government in owning its own buildings, thereby 

 saving the amounts now paid for rent of office quarters, I recom- 

 mended that an additional ai^propriation of $50,000 be asked from 

 Congress for the purchase of sites and the erection of not less than 

 six buildings during the fiscal j^ear ending June 30, 1903, which you 

 approved, and Congress has made an appropriation of the amount 

 named. The places that have been selected for these new buildings, 

 with your approval, are Yellowstone Park, Wyo. ; Amarillo, Tex. ; 

 Modena, Utah; Key West and Sand Key, Fla., and South Farallone 

 Island, California. There has been some difficulty in providing sites 

 for the buildings at Modena and Amarillo, and it is not believed that 

 it will be practicable to erect these buildings before next spring. 



LIBRARY. 



No change has been made in the ordinary routine of the library. 

 The facility with which the library can be consulted has been greatly 

 enhanced bj^ the completion of the transcribing of the author index 

 on better size cards (standard librarj'). Work has been begun on a 

 subject index, a most important adjunct to a library, and one the 

 need of which has been acutel}^ felt for j^ears past. No unforeseen 

 interruption occurring, this much-needed index should be completed 

 within the current fiscal year. Conjointly with this subject index of 

 books, author and subject indexes of the meteorological contents of 

 the periodicals currently received have also been started. Bibliogra- 



