REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 



were uot competitive, and it is possible that something may be saved 

 tbrougli competition. It is, however, necessary to provide also for the 

 architect's superintendence, and for the removal and reconstruction of 

 the Smithsonian stable, which now occupies the site. I therefore think 

 it advisable to make request for the sum of $500,000, in order that these 

 additional items and other contingencies may be covered. 



The plans, though drawn in the limited time imposed, represent the 

 results of an exhaustive study — which has extended over several years — 

 of plans of the best modern museum buildings in Europe and America, 

 nearly all of which have been personally inspected by officers of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



It will be remembered by the Kegeuts that neither the central por- 

 tion of the Smithsonian Building nor the so-called '' chapel," at its west- 

 ern extremity, has ever been made fire-proof. The first contains valua- 

 ble collections, which are in somewhat menacing neighborhood to the 

 paint shop outside and to alcoholic stores within. These ought to be 

 provided for separately, but the representations made of the necessity 

 have not yet obtained attention from Congress. A special occasion 

 having arisen which made it desirable, at any rate, to complete the tire- 

 proofing of the " chapel," on the 21st May, at the request of the Sec- 

 retary, Hon. J. S. Morrill reported from the Committee on Public 

 Buildings the following bill : 



A BILL to provide for making tbo west end of the Smithsonian Building fire-proof, 



and for other purposes. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Bepresentatwes of the United 

 States of America in Congress assembled, That for the purpose of making 

 the roof of the Gothic chapel at the west end of the Smithsonian Build- 

 ing fireproof, and for other purposes, under the direction of the Re- 

 gents of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of seventeen thousand 

 five hundred dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby 

 appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- 

 priated. 



This bill was adopted without a dissenting vote by the United States 

 Senate. 



It was referred in the House May 22, 1888, to the Committee on 

 Public Buildings, but no report was made b;>' the committee. The same 

 bill was offered in the Senate on the 28th of June by Senator Morrill as 

 an amendment reported by the Senate Committee on Public Buildings 

 and Grounds to the sundry civil bill. This was referred to the Senate 

 Committee on Appropriations, but was not reported back. 



Fire-proofing ivest range of Smithsonian building. — In 1887 Congress 

 made an ai)propriation of $15,000 ''for urgent and necessary repairs to 

 central and western portions of the Smithsonian Institution."* 



This was expended in removing the combustible material in the west 

 range, as this was the most urgent work required. The contents ot 



* Sundry civil act, No. 148, Mareh 3, 1887 

 H. Mis. 142-^ — 2 



