KEPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



ADMINISTRATION. 



The administrative work of the Museum was conducted most effi- 

 ciently during the year, mainly by Dr. F. W. True, as executive curator, 

 and for short intervals by Dr. G. P. Merrill and Mr. W. H. Holmes, 

 respectively. Mr. J. L. Willige was acting chief clerk during the absence 

 of Mr. Cox in connection with the Nashville and Omaha expositions. 

 As chief of buildings and superintendence, Mr. J. E. Watkins took 

 charge of the erection of the new galleries, and much of the success 

 attending their construction is due to his careful supervision. 



In conclusion, it is a pleasure to me to state that commendation 

 is due the head curators and their assistants for the energy and 

 patience they have shown and for their willingness to subordinate indi- 

 vidual desires and preferences to the general welfare of the work of 

 the Museum. It is owing to this esprit de corps that the work of the 

 Museum i)rogressed so satisfactorily during the year. 



CONDITIONS AND NEEDS. 



A national museum should be the center of scientific activity in the 

 country in which it is located. In England the British Museum is 

 the mecca of scientific men. The national museums in Paris, Copen- 

 hagen, Vienna, Berlin, and other capitals of Europe stand in similar 

 relations to the scientific work of their respective countries. Such a 

 relation the National Museum should hold to scientific men and affairs 

 in America. It should receive and take care of all classes of mate- 

 rial which have been or may be valuable for investigation or for the 

 illustration of the ethnology, natural history, geology, products, and 

 resources of our own country or for comparison with those of other 

 countries. It should furnish material for all kinds of scientific investi- 

 gations which deal with specimens or types, and give aid to such 

 researches and publish their results. It should present by illustration 

 such of the results of the scientific investigations of its corps of officers 

 as are susceptible of such representation. It should cooperate with all 

 of the higher educational institutions of learning in the country, and 

 assist in the promotion and diffusion of knowledge in all of the lines of 

 investigation which are carried on by them. It should provide library 

 facilities, and, as far as can be done with justice to itself, aid all post- 

 graduate students who may wish to take advantage of the generous 

 provisions made by the Government for scientific investigations. 



