APPENDIX TO THE SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



REPORT ON SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES FOR 1884. 

 By George H. Boehmer. 



Oueof the principal events of tbe year was the removal from a tem- 

 porary location in the central hall of the Smithsonian building to the 

 new quarters assigned in the east wing of the reconstructed fire-proof 

 portion of the building, taking place in the mouth of March, 1884. This 

 removal caused a temporary cessation of active operations, and conse- 

 quently a not inconsiderable accumulation of material, which, together 

 with the regular increase, crowded into the last nine months of the year 

 an unusual amount of work. Furthermore, my appointment to visit 

 Europe on business of exchange, and consequent absence since July — 

 during which time Mr. N. P. Scudder assumed the duties of my position 

 additional to his regular work as assistant in charge of the domestic 

 branch of the exchanges — diminished the active force of the depart- 

 ment; but notwithstanding all these disadvantages, the zealous and 

 efficient application of the various assistants to their respective duties 

 enabled them to overcome the obstacles, and to place the bureau in a 

 position to enter upon the work of a new year without any accumula- 

 tion. 



The Record Division. — The duties of this office, as specified in the re- 

 port for 1883, have been performed by Miss J. C. Diebitsch in a com- 

 mendable manner, and notwithstanding the large increase in the work, 

 the card catalogue alone now embracing 4,000 cards against 1,000 in 

 1883, and other multiplications of work — the files and records in this 

 division have been posted promptly and accurately, so as to admit of 

 momentary inspection of the accounts of exchanges kept with the vari- 

 ous foreign establishments — an advantage claimed for the system when 

 its acceptance was urged. 



Foreign Exchange Division. — In February, owing to the transfer of 

 the assistant in charge of this branch of the service, Mr. F. V. Berry 

 was appointed in this place, and it is due to his energy and untiring 

 application to his duties that the unusual accumulations and constant 

 increase had been disposed of before the close of the year. 



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