120 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1886. 



of employes of railway, express, aud transportation companies was ex- 

 ceeded only by the following classes : 



1. Agricultural laborers, who numbered 3,323,876 



2. Farmers and x^lanters, who numbered 4, 225, 945 



3. Domestic servants, who numbered 1, 075, 653 



4. Laborers, unclassified, who numbered 1,859,223 



5. Carpenters and joiners, who numbered 373, 143 



6. Clerks in stores, who numbered 353, 444 



As Kos. 1 and 2 are practically one class, and No. 4 is no class, rail- 

 way and transportation employes are the fifth class in point of number. 



Of the 55,000,000 of inhabitants of the United States, what class is 

 not directly interested in the progress of invention, whereby we enjoy 

 speed, comfort, and safety, in transportation by steam over our rail- 

 roads aud water-courses? 



The following preliminary scheme for the organization of the section 

 was suggested by the curator, aud indorsed by the Assistant Secretary, 

 in October, 1885. It will be modified from time to time as circum- 

 stances may permit. 



PRELIMINARY SCHEME OF ORGANIZATION. 



To obtain originals or models of early steam-boats, locomotiv^es^ 

 track, cars, etc., with history enough of each to make a label. Show 

 early experimental track and short pieces of various patterns of rail. 



To obtain drawings or photographs of early steam-boats, locomo- 

 tives, etc., to be arranged on hinged frames, in accordance with the 

 system now in use in other sections and departments of the Museum. 



As soon as practicable, to issue a circular letter, under the authority 

 of the Smithsonian Institution, giving an outline of the scheme, to be 

 forwarded to engineering and scientific societies, railway officials and 

 employes, urgently requesting their co-operation and suggesting the 

 formation of a National Eailway Historical Society. 



When the section has made some progress, to issue a bulletin giv- 

 ing a general history of early steam-boats and locomotives and the 

 birth of the American railway system, as exemplified id the collections 

 of the National Museum. 



To create a sectional library, which shall contain all books, maga- 

 zines, pamphlets, obtainable that bear on the history of American rail- 

 ways, and in this section of the National Museum to keep a catalogue 

 containing the names of the authors, title of book, publisher, etc., with 

 directions as to where such book may be found, for the benefit of such 

 persons as may be interested in these subjects. 



In connection with the history of trans]X)rtation in general, to show 

 pack horses, freight wagons, stage coaches, early canal boats, post boys, 

 mail coach, etc. 



To show by models, drawings, aud relics the develpment of the sta- 



