KEPOirr OF THE secketaky. 17 



were not competitive, and it is possible that something may be saved 

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

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

 tlie 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 

 additioiml 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 tire-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, lion. J. S. Morrill reported from the Committee on Public 

 Buildings the following bill : 



A BILL to provide for uuikiug tlio west end of tbe Smitlisouian Rnildin<^ fire-proof, 



iuid for other purposes. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and Mouse of Representative.s of the United 

 States*of America in Congress assembled, That for the puri)0se of making 

 the roof of the Gothic chapel at the west end of the Smithsonian B«ild- 

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

 gents of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of seventeen thousand 

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

 approi)riated 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 by the committee. The same 

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

 an amendment rejwrted 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 toest range of Smithsonian building. — In 1887 Congress 

 made an appropriation 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 of 



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

 H. Mis. 142 2 



