212 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



portion of its extra fund, and to the extent of this forever diminish its power to 

 "increase and diffuse knowledge among men." 



* * * As the public museum of the Institution occupied the portion of the 

 l)uilding constructed of fireproof materials, it escaped destruction by the fire, yet the 

 smoke and water to which they were exposed caused some damage to the specimens, 

 and much labor and expense were requisite to restore them to their proper appear- 

 ance. 



The report of Secretary Henry immediately following the tire con- 

 tains some important statements, which, though made before those 

 aboA'e quoted, can better supplement them. They are partly as 

 follows: 



Although greatly to be regretted on account of the losses incurred, the accident is 

 not without compensation in considerations of a different nature; thus it has served 

 to call forth the expression of a large amount of kind feeling in regard to the Institu- 

 tion and to direct the attention of Congress to the character and importance of its 

 operations. 



* * * Two grave errors were committed in the adoption of the present one 

 [building] ; first, the plan was but little adapted to the uses to which the edifice was 

 to be applied; second, the style of architecture recjuired a far greater expenditure 

 than the amount to which the cost of the building was limited. For the purpose of 

 architectural effect the interior was very inconveniently divided. The buttresses, 

 turrets, and towers, while they add very little to the accommodation of the building, 

 greatly increased the cost. To have constructed the building in a substantial 

 and durable manner in strict conformity with the Lombard style of architecture, 

 which was adopted, would have required an expenditure of at least double the 

 amount of the sum appropriated for the purpose. It was therefore necessary, in 

 order that the exterior might be constructed of freestone, that the interior should be 

 finished in wood and stucco, and that thus recourse should l)e had to the presenta- 

 tion of a falsehood to the eye in the very inauguration of an enterprise for the 

 advancement of truth. The two wings and the two connecting ranges were com- 

 pleted in this manner. The main building, which is 200 feet long and 50 feet wide, 

 embellished with six towers, was also in process of completion, the framing of the 

 interior having been finished, when the underpinning gave way and the whole of 

 the woodwork fell to the ground. 



After the occurrence of this accident a commission of architects appointed to 

 examine the building reported that the exterior walls were well built, both in 

 regard to construction and materials, but that the plan of finishing the interior 

 in wood and stucco was improper for an edifice intended to contain valuable articles. 

 It was therefore recommended that fireproof materials should be employed for the 

 portions of the work which remained to be constructed. In conformity with this 

 recommendation the interior of the main building was completed in iron, stone, and 

 brick, with the exception of the roof, which, being covered with slate and not sup- 

 posed to be exposed to danger from fire, was suffered to remain. It was this change 

 in the mode of constructing a portion of the edifice which, during the late fire, saved 

 the contents of the whole from destruction. It however increased the cost of the 

 building to upward of $300,000, leaving the remaining parts of the interior of the 

 structure in perishable materials. 



* * * Nothing definite can be said at present as to the financial arrangements 

 for the repair of the building. The subject is still before Congress, and although the 

 idea has been confidently entertained that an appropriation would be made for the 

 purpose, yet, from the discussion Avhich took place in the meeting of the joint com- 

 mittee of the two Houses ap])ointed to consider this matter, I do not think a resolu- 

 tion authorizing such an appropriation wall be adopted. 



