18 EEPORT OF THE SECEETARY. 



this part of tlie buildiug, consistiDg of tbe alcobolic collections, were 

 very iuflaiuiuable and daugerous. Tbe fire -proofing was intrusted to 

 Messrs. Cliiss and Scbulze, arcbitects, from wbose report tbe following 

 account of tbe work is taken : 



"Tbe reconstruction extended over tbe curtain between tbe main 

 building and tbe west wing, a building of CO feet in lengtb and 54 feet 

 in width, witb an adjoining turret containing stairs. It contains a 

 basement wbere alcobolic specimens arc kept. 



"Tbe main story is mostly occupied by an exbibition ball, extending 

 up into tbe roof, witb a clere-story. Along tbe uortb front was origi- 

 nally an open cloister, wbicb bad been, for many years, temporarily fitted 

 up, by frame- work, for offices. 



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

 story formed by tbe insertion of a fireproof upper floor. 



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

 system of decorative bollow columns and vaults, framed of wooden 

 scantlings, boards, and latbed ])lastering, had to be Ciirefully removed, 

 so as not to injure tbe outside walls, consisting of a thin cut-stone fac- 

 ing, backed by ordinary rubble-work. 



" In tbe reconstruction the Romanesque general character of tbe 

 building was preserved witb tbe greatest simplicity compatible witb 

 the surroundings, and also made a necessity by tbe limited ai)pro])ria- 

 tion, in conjunction with the increased cost of decorations in fire proof 

 materials. 



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

 was required for making tbe reconstructed building ready for occu- 

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

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

 tion. 



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

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

 Sons, 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. Cissel, of Washington, which 

 amounted to .$9,850, and was within tbe 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 tbe city, on specifications. 



" The contractors have satisfactorily and for tbe sums agreed upon 

 completed their work. 



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



Pay-rolls of laborers, cariieuters, aud steam-fitters . . . , $466. 30 



Advertising, printing, and type-writing 49. 10 



Brick repairs, nails, and 1 umber 61. 32 



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



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



Hardware 72. 66 



Steam and water pipes 147. 58 



Clerk-hire 275.00 



12,719.96 



''leaving a balance of $2,280.01 for frescoing and decoration and com- 

 pletion of the work." • 



