128 REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMISSION. 



the collections of the British Museum is one where it is supposed the 

 best experience has been made use of in the plans of the cases, and ar- 

 rangements have been made to obtain copies of the same. The new iron 

 cases of the National Museum at Dresden are also under investigation. 

 Iron is more expensive than wood, but involves less danger of decay, and 

 there is also an especial advantage in the fact that the material may be 

 so much thinner as to increase the interior space, while the objects in the 

 cases are less obscured. Of course, it must not be forgotten that the 

 National Museum is expected to discharge its functions for an indefinite 

 period of years. 



The provision of Congress directed that the new building should be 

 placed to the east of the present Smithsonian edifice, at least fifty feet 

 from its southeastern corner. The question was considered of having 

 the interval greater than this minimum, but it was found that this would 

 involve the extension of the building beyond the boundary of the Smith- 

 sonian reservation and carry it to the unassigned portion of the square. 

 Although there was nothing in the act to prevent this encroachment, 

 yet in view of the possibility that the southeastern portion of the public 

 land between Seventh and Twelfth streets would be required for some 

 other purposes, perhaps for a Congressional Library, it was thought 

 best to encroach upon it as little as possible. 



In addition to its answering the purpose for which it was primarily 

 intended, it is confidently believed that the new National Museum build- 

 ing will exercise an important function in serving as a model for similar 

 establishments elsewhere. 



Of course, in a city where the cost of land is a matter of important 

 consideration, the one-story plan cannot always be carried out, the usual 

 position of story above story being necessary to secure the desired space. 

 Most colleges and universities, however, have ample grounds belonging 

 to them, the occupation of which by large buildings is allowable. Under 

 such circumstances, the same amount of fire-proof space can be had for 

 from two-thirds to one-half the usual cost. 



The office of member of the Building Commission has been by no means 

 a sinecure, weekly meetings having been held, with scarcely an inter- 

 ruption, from the first organization, as shown by the full reports kept 

 of the proceedings. General Meigs, as consulting engineer, until his 

 recent departure on a tour of duty, was present at every meeting and 

 continually aided the Commission by his advice, rendered so valuable by 

 his long familiarity with building operations on a large scale, and with 

 the whole question of the proper construction of contracts, lie visited 

 the grounds nearly every day and closely inspected the progress of the 

 work. To him are also due valuable suggestions on the methods of cov- 

 ering the roofs and on other details. 



The duties of the secretary of the commission have consisted in keep- 

 ing the record of the proceedings of the meetings, in assisting in the 

 preparation of contracts for execution, in engrossing the bills for settle- 



