FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1877-1879. 785 



ing is hereby authorized to put up and use an automatic signal telegrapli of such 

 improved kind and description, adopted and now in public use, as is fitted and 

 adapted to transmit signals of fire by means of unusual degree of heat. 



Sec. 2. A commission composed of the Commissioner of Patents, the Sujx^rvising 

 Architect of the Treasury Department, and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, are hereby constituted and authorized to examine such automatic signal tele- 

 graph systems as may be submitted to them by the owners and agents thereof, and 

 select such a one as is l)est adapted for the i>urpose of the earliest transmission by 

 signal of the occurrence of fire, and to certify to the heads of the several departments 

 of the Government such system of signals as may be approved by them. 



Sec. 3. And the head of each executive department is hereby authorized to make 

 a requisition on the Treasury for such sums as may be necessarily expended in 

 putting up and using in such public buildings as he may deem necessary under his 

 department such system of telegraphic signal so adopted, to be paid, on proper 

 vouchers to be furnished therefor, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 

 appropriated. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 

 December 10, 1877 — House. 



The President of the United States, Mr. E.. B. Haj'-es, sent a mes- 

 sage to Congress transmitting the report of the commission appointed 

 by him on the 27th of September, 1877 [Lieut. Col. Thos. L. Casey, 

 U. S. A., James G. Hill, Supervising Architect, United States Treas- 

 ury, and Edward Clark, Architect of the Capitol], to examine the 

 sev^eral public buildings in this cit}^ (including- the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution), and determine the nature and extent of their security against 

 conflagrations and the measures to be taken to guard the buildings and 

 their contents from .destruction or damage by fire. 



The President said: 



The records of the Government constitute a most valuable collection for the coun- 

 try, whether we consider their pecuniary value or their historical importance, and it 

 becomes my duty to call your attention to the means suggested for securing these 

 valuable archives, as well as the buildings in which they are stored. The commis- 

 sioners have performed their duties intelligently and faithfully. Their recommenda- 

 tions are fully concurred in by me, and commended to the favorable consideration of 

 Congress. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds 

 The following were the recommendations of the conmiission: 



.SPECIFIC KECO.MMENDATIONS. 



Smitlisonian Institution. — All the combustible materials used in the construction of 

 the museum portion of the building should be removed, and the parts renewed of 

 firejiroof construction, and the openings connecting with other parts of the building 

 should be sujaplied with fireproof doors. 



In addition to the special recommendations contained under section 1, the follow- 

 ing general recommendations that may be applicable to all the public buildings are 

 offered : 



First. That ample apparatus for extinguishing fires, such as water mains, jiumps, 

 hose, ladders, axes, water buckets constantly filled with water, be supplied upon each 

 floor; that a thorough system of police and guard by day and night be established 



H. Doc. 732 50 



