8 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



opportunity us presents itself consistently with these, he en- 

 deavors not only to oversee its scientific investigations but to 

 give his personal care to them. His purpose has always been, 

 in regard to the former, to put upon those in immediate charge 

 of the bureaus of the Institution all the authority that is con- 

 sistent with his own responsibility to the Board of Regents. 

 He has already mentioned that the growth of those bureaus 

 has thrown upon the Institution a very considerable amount 

 of clerical labor pertaining to Government work, so that the 

 limited income of the Institution is drawn upon for matteis 

 which should properly he provided for by Congress. 



The Board has authorized the Secretary to lay these matters 

 before Congress, hut the needs of other parts of the Institu- 

 tion's service have seemed so pressing that he has as yet 

 deferred doing so in favor of such other demands. 



BUILDINGS. 



The renovation and rearrangement of storage rooms in the 

 south tower was continued during the year, and in the base- 

 ment additional space was arranged for the use of the inter- 

 national exchanges. Work was also begun toward the con- 

 struction of a tunnel between the Smithsonian and Museum 

 buildings for carrying steam pipes, with tin 1 intention of 

 centralizing the heating apparatus and utilizing new Museum 

 boilers for heating both buildings. Improvements in the 

 Museum building and in the buildings at the Zoological Park 

 are mentioned elsewhere. 



FINANCES. 



The permanent funds of the institution are as follows: 



Bequest of Smithaon, 1S4<; $515, 169.00 



Residuary legacy of Smithson, 1867 26, 210. 63 



I teposits from savings of income, 1867 108, 620. 37 



Bequest of James Hamilton, 1875 $]. 000 



Accumulated interest on Hamilton fund, 1895 1,000 



2, 000. 00 



Bequest of Simeon Habel, 1880 500. 00 



Deposits from proceeds of sale of bonds, 1881 51, 500. 00 



(lift of Thomas (J. Hodgkins, 1891 200,000.00 



Portion of residuary Legacy of Thomas (i. Hodgkins, 1894 8, 000. 00 



Total permanent fund 912, 000. 00 



