FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS, 1885-1887. 1019 



At the last sessiion an appropriation wan made ])y Congress to enaljle the Smith- 

 sonian Institution to receive and transmit to Washington for installation in the 

 National Museum many of the most valuable donations to the United States made 

 by various parties — governments, firms, and individuals — that took part in the exhi- 

 bition at New Orleans. This was expended to very good advantage, with the result 

 of securing to the United States National Museum many interesting and important 

 exliibits. The Smithsonian Institution has been notified that a large number of 

 additional contributions now on exhibition there are at its command, Avhen the 

 exposition which is still being continued at New Orleans closes. The sum referred 

 to in the inclosed memorandum will be needed to take advantage of the oppor- 

 tunity, as there is no appropriation at present available for the purpose. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baied, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



Hon. Secretary of the Treasury. 



Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 

 April 17, 1886. 



Sir: In the report of deficiency estimates before the committee there is (p. 24) an 

 item of $2,500 for the purpose of meeting expenses of receiving, packing, transporting 

 to the National Museum in Washington, and of installing or storing sundry con- 

 tributions presented or to be presented to the United States at the New Orleans 

 Exposition. 



In further explanation of this, I beg to say that the exposition is now closed, and 



that immediate steps are desirable for taking possession of the property in question, 



a larger number of contributions having been made than was originally expected. 



Notably among these are the exhibits of Russia and of Samoa. 



Respectfully, 



Spencer F. Baird, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 

 Hon. James N. Burnes, 



Chairman of Subcommittee on Deficiency Approiiriation Bill. 



June 12, 1886. 



Statement by Prof. S. F. Baird. 



As regards furniture and fixtures appropriation, it may be stated that the fund has 

 been devoted to the construction of cases under contract outside the building or to 

 pay of carpenters and others employed in their building inside the premises for glass 

 and other necessary materials used in their finish and for the requisite fittings, etc. 



The salaries paid out of the appropriation are for assistance in the assignment and 

 care of the furniture and fixtures and the engrossing of accounts pertaining thereto. 



I might have added also that large numbers of bottles, jars, trays, stands, etc., 

 have been provided, as well as other appointments for the exhibition room of the 

 Museum, and all coming legitimately within the scope of the appropriation. 



June 19, 1886. 



Sir: I beg to inclose an item for the completion of the heating and telephonic 



service of the U. S. National Museum for the fiscal year 1886, representing the excess 



of liabilities over the appropriation made for this jjurpose. 



Very respectfully, 



S. F. Baird, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution and Director U. S. National Museum. 

 Hon. James N. Burnes, 



Chairman Subcommittee on Appropriations, House of Representatives. 



