204 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



Institution on the Smithsonian gronnds or other convenient location, 

 and, if they deem expedient, to report plans and estimates for such 

 buildings to the Board at their next meeting. The reply of the execu- 

 tive committee, made on May 1, 1852, was as follows : 



That after due reflection they liave come to the conclusion that it would conduce 

 very much to the interests of the Institution if the officers were provided with 

 houses on the Smithsonian grounds, so that they might be present on all occasions 

 and be as much as possible at all times identified witli the operations of the Institu- 

 tion; yet at present, while the main edifice is unfinished, they do not consider it 

 advisable to incur the expense of additional buildings, and would therefore recom- 

 mend that in lieu of the rent of a house $500 be added to the salaries of Professors 

 Jewett and Baird, to be paid from the ])eginning of the present year. 



1852. 



In this year the contract with Gilbert Cameron, including the linish- 

 ing of the exterior of the entire building and the interior of the winos, 

 connecting ranges, and towers, was declared completed, leaving the 

 whole interior of the main building to be linished. All the woodwork 

 and plastering of the interior of the main building was, by resolution 

 of the Board, to be removed and its place supplied by fireproof mate- 

 rials. Mr. Renwick withdrew his services, as it was not thought best 

 to continue his salary, and Capt. B. S. Alexander, U. S. Corps of 

 Engineers, was employed to prepare detailed drawings and plans for 

 the balance of the work. 



Referring to this subject in his report for 1852, Secretary Henry 

 wrote : 



From the report of the building committee it appears that the contract for finishing 

 the interior of the wings and ranges and the rooms of the towers has been completed. 

 The whole interior of the main building, comprising a rectangular space of 200 feet 

 long, 50 wide, and about 60 high, remains to be finished with fireproof materials. 

 It is proposed to divide this space into two stories and a basement. These stories 

 will be devoted to the library, the museum, and a large and convenient lecture 

 room. 



The business of the Institution would be much facilitated were this part of the 

 building completed. Since Congress has authorized the establishment of a library 

 and museum, it will be well to place all the objects of interest to the public in the 

 main building and make this exclusively the show part of the establishment, devot- 

 ing the wings and ranges and rooms of tlie towers to the Inisiness operations and 

 other purposes of the Institution. In the present condition of affairs there is no part 

 of the edifice to which the public has not access, and, consequently, business has to ])e 

 transacted amidst constant interruptions. The loss of time and effective life to which 

 all are exposed who occupy a position of notoriety in the city of Washington is truly 

 lamentable, and where this is enhanced by facility of access to gratify mere curiosity 

 the evil becomes scarcely endurable. Progress in business under such circumstances 

 can only be made by an encroachment on the hours usually allotted to rest, and 

 that, too, at the expense of wasted energies and shortened days. 



