IV.— REVIEV;^ OF \A^ORK IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE 



DEPARTMENTS. 



FINANCE, PROPERTY, SUPPJ.IES, AND ACCOUNTS. 



Mr. W. V. Cox, chief clerk, presents, in his annual rei)ort, a detailed 

 statement showing the amount of the appropriations for the fiscal year 

 ending- June 30, 18115, and the disbursements thereunder; also the dis- 

 position of the unexpended balances remaining on hand from the 

 appropriations of previous years. These statements are printed in 

 Ai)i)endix vin. 



The work pertaining to the accounts connected with the disburse- 

 ment of the funds allotted to the National Museum, for an exhibit at 

 the Cotton States and International Exposition at Atlanta, has entailed 

 considerable extra work upon the force of this office during the present 

 year. This work, however, as well as the preparation of orders for 

 materials and labor, has been i^erformed without any additional help. 



In the early part of the fiscal year steps were taken with a view to 

 bringing suit against persons who declined to enter into contracts 

 which had been awarded them for furnishing supjilies, etc The opinion 

 of the Attorney-General was sought, and although the Smithsonian 

 Institution has not up to this time been recognized as being entitled to 

 this privilege, the action taken resulted in suits being brought against 

 the defaulters by the Department of Justice. 



A board was apitointed August 13, 1894, to examine and report upon 

 the safety of the alcohol and alcoholic si>ecimens stored in the base- 

 n)entof the Smithsonian building. Additional safeguards were recom 

 mended, and these have been provided. 



A new telephone service, with metallic circuits and long-distance 

 instruments, was installed during the year, and although the service is 

 much improved, the annual rental charged is less than that formerly 

 paid. 



The chief clerk states that the rules adopted last year for the govern- 

 ment of the watch force have been adhered to, and that as a result the 

 force has been brought to a higher state of efficiency. 



The committee appointed to consider the subject of an improved sys- 

 tem of locks for the Museum cases, submitted its report at the close of 

 the preceding fiscal year, and during the presentyear preliminary steps 

 have been taken with a view to carrying out the recommendations made- 



