REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 5 



"The main building and western extension are occupied by the col- 

 lections of the Government ; the east wing embraces the offices of the 

 Secretary, chief clerk, corrresponding clerk, and registrar, and also ac- 

 commodations for the ext-ensive operations of the department of in- 

 ternational exchanges, the benefits of which accrue not only principally 

 to the Library of Congress but to all the public libraries and scientific 

 societies throughout the United States. The rooms are filled with the 

 archives, files of correspondence, original scientific manuscripts, vouch- 

 ers, the stock of Government and Smithsonian publications for distri- 

 bntion at home and abroad, &c.; and their destruction by fire, to whichi 

 they are constantly exposed, would be greatly detrimental to the in- 

 terests of the Government and the general public. 



" In addition to this, an extensive fire in the east wing would endanger 

 and possibly destroy the main portion of the Smithsonian building, the 

 upper and lower halls of which contain rare specimens belonging to the 

 Government, and most of which could not be replaced. 



" Congress ha^? recognized the importance and propriety of gradually 

 reconstructing the interior of the Smithsonian building, in fire-proof 

 materials, by making appropriations for the purpose at various times 

 between 1870 and 1876 ; and the last Congress, in 1879, appropriated 

 $3,000 'for providing additional security against fire in the Smithsonian 

 building.' 



"It is now proposed to remodel the interior of the east wing so that, 

 without disturbing its present architectural style, the internal capacity 

 will be doubled by a new arrangement of floors, partitions, and roofs, 

 and all the rooms be adapted to the efficient prosecution of the work of 

 the Institution and the various interests intrusted to its management 

 by Congress. 



" Inclosed I beg to send a copy of the report of the Board of Fire In- 

 spectors (appointed by the District Commissioners) upon the condition 

 of the Smithsonian building.* 



" I have the honor to ask, in the name and on behalf of the Board of 

 Regents, that the following appropriation be made at the present session 

 of Congress, viz : 



"For continuing and completing the fire-proofing of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, $50, 000." 



National Museum Building. — The Museum building was received from 

 the hands of the architects in so complete a state that but little re- 

 mained to be done beyond the tinting of a portion of the walls and the 

 filling up of some of the alcoves with canvas frames, &c. There is yet 

 much to be done, however, in the construction of the necessary cases for 

 the accommodation of collections. A large addition to the number was 

 made during the year. It will require, perhaps, two more consecutive 

 appropriations, of the usual amount, before all the space contained in 

 the building can be suitably occupied with the necessary means of 



* "The commission to inspect buildings in the District beg leave to submit here- 

 with report No. 5. 



"By invitation of Professor Baird, the east wing and connecting corridor to the 

 main building of the Smithsonian Institution were visited and inspected. In this 

 portion of the building are all the records and valuable documents belonging to the 

 Institution. The interior is entirely of wood and illy arranged, making it especially 

 unsafe and liable to accident from fire, thus endangering the entire building. As a 

 matter of safety, this wing and corridor should be completely cleared out and rebuilt 

 of fire-proof material, and furnished with improved modes of communication and 

 egress." 



