30 EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



chief scientific wealth of the collections are, to a great extent, barely accessible and 

 their proper arrangement generally impossible; and the laboratories are mostly too 

 small to permit of laying out specimens in course of study or in preparation for dis- 

 play. More serious, however, has been the necessity during many years past of stor- 

 ing very considerable parts of the collections in unsafe buildings, where they are 

 constantly liable to destruction by fire and certain to deteriorate, being buried 

 beyond the possibility of suitable care or inspection. It is therefore pleasing to note 

 that at its last session Congress voted $5,000 for the preparation of preliminary plans 

 for a new building, which when completed should not only relieve this congested 

 condition, but also enable the Museum to develop its educational features and con- 

 duct its activities in a manner more creditable to the nation. 



Several important alterations and improvements have been made in the Museum 

 building. Some additional space has been gained through the construction of gal- 

 leries in three ranges— the west-north, the north-west, and the south-west, which are 

 being fitted up for the library and as laboratories for the departments of anthropology 

 and geology. 



The steam boilers, which had become entirely worn-out after a service dating from 

 the erection of the building, have been rejalaced by a pair of high-pressure boilers of 

 modern pattern, with capacity for heating both buildings. The introduction (jf 

 these made it necessary to overhaul the entire heating plant and to make new and 

 more ample connections with the Smithsonian building. The boilers formerly used 

 in the latter building will be retained in place to guard against emergencies, and the 

 employment of one set instead of two is expected to result in the economy of both 

 fuel and labor. 



The installation of a complete sj-stem of electric-light wiring and lixtures extend- 

 ing to all the exhibition halls as well as to tlie offices, laboratories, and storerooms, 

 begun the previous year, was finished satisfactorily. Should it be decided to open 

 the building at night, however, an increased appropriation will be required to cover 

 the cost of extra current and the pay of several additional attendants. 



The quarters allotted to the purposes of a lunch room have l)een somewhat extended 

 and improved, but this very desirable museum adjunc-t must always remain i')oorly 

 provided for in the i)resent building. 



Organization and staff. — The organization of the museum comprises an administra- 

 tive oftice and three scientific departments, as follows: Anthropolog}', with 8 divi- 

 sions and 4 sections; piology, with 9 divisions and 12 sections; and Geology, with 3 

 divisions and 3 sections. 



Besides the three head curators in charge of the departments, the scientific staff at 

 the close of the year consisted of 17 curators, 12 assistant curators, 14 custodians, 11 

 aids, 4 associates, and 2 collaborators, making a total of 63 persons, of Avhom, how- 

 ever, oiily about one-half received compensation from the Museum. Of the re- 

 mainder, who are serving in a volunteer or honorary (•ai>acity, the majority were 

 attached to other scientific bureaus of the Government. 



The death of Dr. Thomas Wilson, which occurred on May 4, 1902, di'privcd the 

 Museum of one of its mo.st earnest and helpful workers. Widely distinguished for 

 his studies and contrilnitions on a variety of anthropological subjects. Dr. Wilson's 

 interests lay chiefly in the field of prehistoric arclueology, and from 1889 he had 

 charge of the extensive and important collections of this division of the Museum. 



Mr. William V. (4)x, who was appointed to the Museum in 1879, and has been its 

 chief clerk since 18SG, witli inqtortant duties in connection with all the recent exjK)- 

 sitions in which the Governincnt lias ))articipated, severed his official relation^ witli 

 the Museum in February, 1902, greatly to the regret of his associates, to accept a 

 more responsible position elsewhere. The duties of this office have been somewhat 

 modified to Ix'tter consolidate the administrative work, and the title of its chief 



