NATIONAL MUSKITM BUILDINGS. 245 



To remove as far as possiV)le any <loubt. as to the sufficiency of the appropriation 

 for a building in accordance with the plans approved hy Congress, l\Ir. Edward 

 Clark, Architect of the Capitol, and General Meigs, after carefully considering the 

 provisional estimates of the architects, informed the connnission that in their o{)inion 

 the amount was sufficient for the purpose. 



To obtain a clear understanding of the intent of Congress in making the appro- 

 priation, as well as to ascertain how far, if desirable, the commission might be 

 authorized to depart from the plans before the Committees of Public Buildings and 

 Grounds when the act was passed, the chairmen of the respective committees (Hon. 

 H. L. Dawes and Hon. Philip Cook) were consulted; whereupon these gentlemen 

 officially informed the commission "that, provided the general design be retained, 

 it was not their intention, nor that of their committees, to confine the Board of 

 Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to the minor details of the aforesaid plans, 

 but to authorize any modifications that might appear to them desirable in the interest 

 of economy or for the better adaptation of the building to its object." 



On ascertaining that the appropriation could be made immediately available under 

 %he clause directing that the accounts should be audited liy the proper officers of the 

 Treasury Deiiartment, the Secretary of the Treasury was, on the 27th of ]\Iarch, 

 requested to ilesignate some one of his force to act as disbursing officer. Accord- 

 ingly Maj. T. J. Hol)bs, disbursing clerk of the Department, was selected, and pay- 

 ments were authorized to be made by him on vouchers approved by the Secretary 

 of the Smithsonian Institution as provided for in the following resolution: 



' ' Resolved, That the commission appointed by the Board of Regents of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution to superintend the construction of a new fireproof building for the 

 National Museum hereby authorize Prof. S. F. Baird, Secretary of the Institution, to 

 act as their agent to approve for payment by Thomas J. Hobbs, all bills for services and 

 supplies from such funds as are placed in the hands of the latter by said commission 

 for such purposes, and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby respectfully requested 

 to instruct Thomas J. Hobbs, disbursing agent, to jiay any bills when thus certified 

 and found to be otherwise technically correct." 



Having thus prepared the way to a commencement of active operations, specifica- 

 tions were at once prepared and proposals invited for carrying on the work. Ground 

 was broken on the 17th of April, 1879. 



The concrete foundations were begun on the 29th of April, and the brickwork of 

 the walls on the 21st of May, the main walls being completed on the 1st day of 

 November. 



In consequence of the low prices of the more important building mate^-ials, very 

 favorable contracts were made, especially for the brick required and for the ironwork, 

 since the i)rice of iron advanced very materially within a few months from the date 

 referred to. The same is true with regard to glass, bricks, and in fact almost all 

 building materials. 



* * * * * * * 



The estimate of $250,000 for the construction of a museum building did not include 

 the heating apparatus. As the work progressed, however, it became evident that all 

 the underground piping for water, gas, and steam, at least, could be obtained from 

 the fund. 



In anticipation of an appropriation for the purpose, it was deemed best to obtain 

 provisional 1)idsfor a steam-heating apparatus. Accordingly jjroposals were invited: 

 First, for the underground pipes; second, for the boilers; third, for the radiators. 

 The aggregate of the estimates for the three items varied from $i;^,940 to |55,tJ80. 



The lowest bid w-as rejected on account of inadequacy of the supply of heat. The 

 next to the lowest was that of Messrs. Baker, Smith & Co., for $19,768, which was 

 accepted, and a contract made for the underground pipes for $5,770. 



An appropriation of $30,000 has been asked of. Congress for the completion of the 



