18 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



this part of the buildiug, consistiug of the alcoholic collections, were 

 very iiiflaiiiiiiable and dangerous. The fire-proofing was intrusted to 

 Messrs. Cluss and Schulze, architects, from whose report the following 

 account of the work is taken : 



"The reconstruction extended over the curtain between the main 

 building and the west wing, a buildiug of GO feet in length and 54 feet 

 in width, with an adjoining turret containing stairs. It contaius a 

 basement where alcoholic specimens are kept. 



"The main story is mostly occupied by an exhibition hall, extending 

 up into the roof, with a clerestory. Along the north front was origi- 

 nally an open cloister, which had been, for many years, temporarily fitted 

 up, by frame- work, for offices. 



" Permanent provision was made for these purposes, and a mezzanine 

 story formed by the insertion of a fire proof upper floor. 



"Besides the old, rotten, combustible floors and roofs, a complicated 

 system of decorative hollow columns and vaults, framed of wooden 

 scantlings, boards, and lathed jflastering, had to be carefully removed, 

 so as not to injure the outside walls, consistiug of a thin cut-stone fac- 

 ing, backed by ordinary rubble-work. 



" In the reconstruction the Eomanesque general character of the 

 building was preserved with the greatest simplicity compatible with 

 the surroundings, and also made a necessity by the limited appropria- 

 tion, in conjunction with the increased cost of decorations in fireproof 

 materials. 



"The first advertisement for bids for the work was confined to what 

 was required for making the reconstructed building ready for occu- 

 pancy; and to leave desirable but not absolutely necessary improve- 

 ments and internal finishings to any balance left from the appropria- 

 tion. 



" Under date of June 27, 1887, an advertisement was issued for the 

 wrought and cast iron work, and the award made to C. A. Schneider's 

 Sous, of this city, at $1,848, the lowest bid received. 



"On July 6, 1887, another advertisement was issued for cut-stone 

 work, brick-work, fire-proofing, metal-roofing, lighter iron-work, corru- 

 gated-iron lathing, carpenter's work, plastering, and miscellaneous work. 

 There was no bid below that of D. T. Oissel, of Washington, which 

 amounted to $9,850, and was within the estimates. 



" Miscellaneous minor operations, such as cleaning and clearing the 

 building, steam fitting, and electric work, were done by day's work and 

 settled for on pay-rolls. 



" The hardware was obtained in open market, by competition among 

 the principal dealers of the city, on specifications. 



" The contractors have satisfactorily and for the sums agreed upon 

 completed their work. 



"The cost of the work to June 30, 1888, has been — 



Pay-rolls of laborers, carpenters, and steam-fitters |466. 30 



Advertising, printing, and type- writing 49. 10 



Brick repairs, nails, and Inmbcr 61. 32 



Contract for iron- work by C. A. Schneider's Sous 1, 848. 00 



Contract for miscellaneous work by D. T. Ciasel 9, 800. 00 



Hardware 7*2. 66 



Steam and water pipes 147. ,58 



Clerk-hire 275. 00 



12,719.96 



''leaving a balance of $2,280.04: for frescoing and decoration and com- 

 pletion of the work." 



