EEPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 79 



Smithsonian Institution : To commence the proper fitting 

 up, in a fire proof manner, of the vacant apartments in 

 the Smithsonian Institution building, for the proper dis- 

 tribution and exhibition of the Government collections 

 of natural history, geology, and mineralogy, five thou- 

 sand dollars $5, 000 00 



42d Cong., Sess. II, Ch. ITU, Stat, at Large 1871-'2, 

 p. 131. Act (May 18, 1872) making appropriations to 

 supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the service 

 of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 

 1872, and for former years. 

 Smithsonian Institution : For the completion of the hall 

 required for the Government collections, ten thousand 



dollars 10, 000 00 



42d Cong., Sess. II, Chap. 415, Stat, at Large, p. 301. 

 Act (June 10, 1872) making appropriations for sundry 

 civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1873. 



Of these appropriations, $20,000 were expended in 1871 on account 

 of ceiling, flooring, plastering, and finishing halls for the extension of 

 the Museum ; and in 1872, $2,902.50 for cases for the geological hall, 

 leaving available for the first half of 1873, for finishing these cases, and 

 for commencing those for the large hall in the second story of the main 

 building, $12,037.50. 



The foregoing expenditures for fitting up rooms for the Museum, 

 $2,962.50, as well as those for the care and preservation of the collec- 

 tions, $17,500, have been accounted for to the Secretary of the Interior, 

 as in previous years. 



The Executive Committee have examined thirteen hundred and ninety- 

 five receipted v<mchers for payments made during the four quarters of 

 the year 1872, both from the Smithson fund and the approi)riations 

 from Congress. In every voucher the approval of the Secretary of the 

 Institution is given, and the certificate of an authorized agent of the 

 Institution is appended, setting forth that the materials and property 

 and services rendered were for the Institution, and to be applied to the 

 purposes stated. 



The quarterly accounts-current, b;ink-book, check-book, and ledger 

 have also been examined and found correct, showing a balance in the 

 First National Bank, 1st of Jauuar , , 1873, of $17,811.30. 



Kespectfully submitted. 



PETER PARKER, 

 JOIIX MACLEAN, 

 W. T. SHERMAN, 



Execu tire Co mm ittee. 



January 20, 1873. 



