.REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 17 



on the roofs were repaired, the roofs painted, and a beginning made 

 of painting the exterior woodwork of all windows of the building. 

 On the Smithsonian Building the only work of importance was the 

 painting of the exterior woodwork of the windows in the east end. 



Wlien the Freer Building was planned, arrangements were made to 

 procure heat, light, and power from the central heating plant, which 

 the Institution was assured would be in a position to supply the same 

 before needed. In the absence of such service, however, the Freer 

 (iallery was connected with the Museum power plant, which necessi- 

 tated the operation of the old boilers in the Arts and Industries 

 Building during the coldest portion of the heating season. During 

 this 3'ear the use of bituminous coal in these boilers was made possi- 

 ble by the removal of the old flat grates and the installation of hand- 

 operated stokers. The antiquated blow-off valve combination on the 

 boilers in the Natural History Building was also replaced. 



Though the winter was a comparatively mild one, heat was fur- 

 nished the buildings from October 6, 1920, to May 20, 1921, with a 

 consumption of 3,224 tons of coal. Wliile the cheapest gi-ade is used, 

 the cost of coal averaged $9.59 a ton. At one time it reached $10.70 a 

 ton, about three times the contract price of 1916. The amount of 

 electric current generated was 367,875 kilowatt hours, at a cost of 

 3.285 cents a kiloAvatt hour. The ice plant, in operation for 4,017 

 hours, produced 324.7 tons of ice, supplying all the buildings under 

 the iSmithsonian Institution on the Mall. The increasing demand 

 for ice will necessitate a new machine within a few years. 



The power plant remained shut down during July and August, 

 1920, and from June 4 to 30, 1921. It is more economical to purchase 

 needed electric current than to operate the Museum plant, since cur- 

 rent can be bought during the summer months at 2^ cents a kilowatt 

 hour by Government departments owning generating plants. This 

 closing down of the plant permits also its operation during the year 

 with fewer men — as the employees then take the greater portion of 

 their leave — and allows a general overhauling of the machinery, 

 obviating trouble during the heating season. 



Less trouble was experienced during the year than in the past 

 four years in procuring the necessary labor, and for the first time in 

 several years all of the men employed met the civil-service require- 

 ments. While the quality of service rendered was not as high 

 standard as desired, it proved fairly satisfactory. This can be read- 

 ily understood when it is considered that the salaries of the assistant 

 engineers and electricians are from 75 to 90 per cent less than those 

 paid in private business in Washington. 



