24 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Condition of the exhibition halls. — The results of over-crowding are 

 evident everywhere in tlie exhibition halls. The installation of the 

 collections and the comfort of visitors are interfered with. It has 

 become necessary to narrow the aisles in many halls to such a degree 

 that they are almost impassable, and on occasions when unusual num- 

 bers of visitors are in the city, many objects of interest have to be 

 withdrawn from exhibition. The unavoidable crowding of the cases 

 interferes with the lighting, so that many objects are practically 

 hidden fi-om view. 



To relieve the present pressure, as regards space, I have, in address- 

 ing Congress, brought forward two propositions. For immediate and 

 temporary relief 1 have recommended the erection of light galleries 

 in two of the halls, with the intention of hereafter asking for others of 

 the same character. Such galleries, unlike those in the main Smith- 

 sonian hall, were provided for in the original plans of the building, and 

 can be erected without detracting from the appearance of the halls. 



While these galleries would add materially to the available exhibition 

 space, we must look to the erection of a new museum building for more 

 permanent relief from the present overcrowded condition. A bill 

 providing for the construction of a new building has twice received 

 favorable action by the Senate, but has failed to pass the House. 



It is greatly to be hoped that both the galleries and also an addi- 

 tional building may be provided without further delay. 



Curatorships. — There are now in the Museum thirty-three organized 

 departments and sections, under the care of eight curators, paid by the 

 Museum, and twenty honorary curators, detailed for special duty from 

 different bureaus of the Government. While the latter render very 

 important and highly appreciated services, they are, of course, more 

 especially occupied with their own peculiar duties, and can not devote 

 more than a small portion of their time to the interests of the Museum. 

 The technical character of the tluties of the curators renders highly de- 

 sirable the employment of a larger paid staff of men who have had 

 special training for nuiseum work. In order to secure the services of 

 such persons, however, and to obtain the best results for the Museum, 

 greater inducements should be offered in the way of compensation. 

 There are few professors in our colleges who do not receive larger sal- 

 aries than it is now possible to pay the curators of the Museum, who, 

 nevertheless, in addition to their onerous executive duties as custodians 

 of the collections, are expected to furnish scientific information for re- 

 plies to the thousand of inquiries received every year. 



It maybe added that the proper preservation of the collections often 

 entails much manual labor, and in many instances immediate and stren- 

 uous efforts are lu^eded to save from entire loss large collections of a 

 perishable nature. Urgent work of this kind is not unfrequently per- 

 formed by the curators. 



It is most desirable that the scientillc staff" of the Museum should be 



