NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. 223 



offices and workrooms, the storage of publications, the exchange 

 system, etc. 



The Board unanimously adopted a resolution, instructing the Secre- 

 tar}' and executive committee to present the subject to Congress and 

 request an appropriation for the purpose. The Secretary, in accord- 

 ance with this instruction, sent the following letter on the 13th of 

 March to the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 



Hon. J. W. Keifek, 



Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



Sir: By instruction of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, I have 

 the honor to transmit to Congress the following resolution, adopted at the last meet- 

 ing of the Board, January 18, 1882, and, in doing so, beg that it be referred to the 

 appropriate committee of the House of Representatives and receive that attention 

 which the urgency of the case requires: 



"Resolved, That the Secretary and executive committee present a memorial to 

 Congress showing the importance and necessity of rendering the east wing of the 

 Smithsonian building fireproof, requesting an appropriation therefor, and, if the 

 means are furnished, to proceed with the work." 



It will be remembered that in Januarj', 1865, a fire occurred in the Smithsonian 

 building, which destroyed a large portion of the main edifice, with its adjacent 

 towers, and a very large amount of valuable public and private property. 



The main building was restored with fireproof materials, but the east wing, composed 

 entirely of wood and plaster, and which had escaped injury, remains in its previous 

 dangerous condition. Originall}' a lecture room, it was fitted up many years ago 

 with apartments for the residence of the late Secretary and his familj-. This applica- 

 tion of the wing, however, was discontinued after Professor Henry's death; but the 

 rooms thus set apart are entirely unsuited to the operations of the establishment, 

 and, while in every way objectionable, the timbers have decayed and no arrange- 

 ments are provided for proper lighting, heating, and ventilation. 



The main building and western extension are occupied by tiie collections of the 

 Government; the east wing embraces the offices of the Secretary, chief clerk, corre- 

 sponding clerk, and registrar, and also accommodations for the extensive operations 

 of the department of international exchanges, the benefits of which accrue not only 

 principally to the Librarj' of Congress, but to all the public lil)raries and scientific 

 societies throughout the United States. The rooms are filled with the archives, files 

 of correspondence, original scientific manuscripts, vouchers, the stock of Government 

 and Smithsonian publications for distribution at home and aljroad, etc., and their 

 destruction by fire, to which they are constantly exposed, would he greatly detri- 

 mental to the interests of the Government and the general pulilic. 



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 has recognized the importance and propriety of gradually reconstructing 

 the interior of the Smithsonian building, in fireproof materials, by making appro- 

 })riations for the purpose at various times between 1870 and 1875; and the last Con- 

 gress, in 1879, appropriated 8;?, 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 dis- 

 turbing its present architectural stylo, the internal capacity will be doubled by a new 

 arrangement of floors, partitions, and roofs, and all the rooms be adapted to the etli- 



