FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1879-1881. 837 



of the National Museum, |2,500. For printing "Bulletins" and "Proceedings of the 

 National Museum," $7,500. 

 Very respectfully, 



Spencer F. Baird. 

 Secretary Smitlisonkm Institution. 

 Hon. C. ScHURz, 



Secretanj of the Interior. 



February 13, 1880. 



Sir: In reply to your letter of the 6th instant, asking estimate for amounts of 

 foreign postage that will be required by the National Museum for the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1881, and the remainder of the present fiscal year, I have to say, 

 $700 for the former and $300 for the latter period. 

 I am, very truly, yours, 



Spencer F. Baird, 



Secretary. 

 George M. Lockwood, 



Chief Clerk, Department of the Interior. 



May 28, 1880. 



Sir: In the interest of the National Museum, I would respectfully submit to your 

 consideration the propriety of introducing the accompanying amendments into the 

 sundry civil bill. 



When the estimates for the cost of the steam heating apparatus and that of 

 plumbing and gas fitting for the National Museum were transmitted last autumn to 

 the Treasury Department we had had no carefully determined details of the work, 

 but merely reported provisionally. Since then, however, we have had competitive 

 offers from various parties and find that I underrated the amount and character of 

 the material and labor involved. 



The lowest estimate for the steam heating is $19,500, and this does not include the 

 cost of making and walling up nearly a quarter of a mile of brick trenches. 



A similar understatement exists in regard to the plumbing, gas fitting, and elec- 

 trical apparatus. 



I have asked that the amount be made immediately available, as the continuation 

 and completion of the regular work on the building awaits the receipt of this appro- 

 priation. 



The third item is for the relieving sewer, which is absolutely necessary to prevent 

 the basement of the new building from being fiooded by backwater during heavy 

 rains. We have found by experience that the pipe already inserted is insufficient, 

 and that serious injury to the foundations and basement of the building will result 

 without this relief is afforded. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baird. 



Hon. James B. Beck, 



Chairman Suhcommillee on Appropriations, United States Senate. 



Heating apparatus: Steam heating apparatus and fuel for new National Museum 

 building, $22,500, to be immediately available. 



Water and gas fixtures: Water and gas fixtures and electric apparatus for new 

 National Museum building, $12,500, to be immediately available. 



For construction of relieving sewer, with the necessary manholes and traps, from 

 the new National Museum building to the Seventh street sewer, $1,000. 



