222 REPORT (»F NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



Secretary Baird also refers to this subject as follows in his report 



for 1880: 



The Smithsonian building was one of those carefully examined )jy the commis- 

 sion, and it was recommended that iron doors should be placed in the passageways 

 between certain rooms. An appropriation of $3,000 was subsequently « made by 

 Congress for this purpose; and a contract for its execution was accordingly entered 

 into with Mr. George L. Damon, of Boston. After considerable delay in the per- 

 formance of this contract, the doors were delivered and put in place by Mr. Damon, 

 to the entire satisfaction of the executive committee. This arrangement has greatly 

 promoted the safety of the building and its contents from the risk of the spreading of 

 any fires which might accidentally occur within its walls. A few additional changes 

 are still desirable to give still further security to the public property placed in the 

 charge of the Institution. 



In his report for 1879 Secretary Baird writes that during- the year 

 other alterations had been made in order to increase the efficiency of 

 the building and reduce the expense of superintendence and mainte- 

 nance. The document room had been enlarged and refitted. The east- 

 ern wing, formerly used by Secretary Henry as a residence, had been 

 converted into a series of offices. Eleven large fireproof doors had 

 been placed in the building to isolate the different wings and floors. 

 The laboratory had been rearranged and many other improvements 

 made, and it was believed that the building was then in a condition of 

 thorough efficiency and adaptation to its scientific purposes. 



In each succeeding report mention is made of necessary repairs and 

 alterations of greater or less extent, at the cost of the Smithsonian 

 fund, but the annual expenditure for these purposes was generally 

 small. Secretary Baird reported in 1881 that — 



At no distant time some expensive work of renovation will be required upon the 

 ceiling of the great hall in the second story of the main building, as in some places 

 the plaster appears in danger of falling off and injuring the cases and specimens on 

 exhibition below. 



In 1882 somewhat extensive changes were made at the west end of 

 the building. The basement under the west wing, which had pre- 

 viously been occupied indiscriminately for the preservation and elabo- 

 ration of the collection of birds and fishes, was subdivided, and each 

 subject confined strictly to its own section. 



The western corridor was also at this time fitted up as an exhibition 

 hall for fishes. 



At the meeting of the Board of Regents held January 18, 1882. 

 Secretary Baird called attention to the combustible and insecure con- 

 dition of the eastern portion of the Smithsonian building, and pre- 

 sented plans, prepared at his request by the architects, Messrs. Cluss 

 & Schuize, which, without materially changing the architecture of 

 the building, would provide largely increased accommodations for 



a Sundry civil act for 1880. 



