XXIV PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 
that an arrangement should be made now to provide for such a 
contingency. 
The following resolution was then adopted: 
Resolved, That if the superintendent of construction of the new building for 
the National Museum, whose services are provided for in the sundry civil act 
approved March 3, 1903, shall become incapacitated for the performance of his 
duties between this date and December 3, 1907, the date of the next meeting of 
the Board of Regents, the Secretary of the Institution is hereby authorized and 
directed to personally take charge of the work of construction on behalf of the 
Board and to disburse appropriations made for the same, or appoint some suit- 
able person or persons to take charge of said construction and disburse such 
appropriations. 
SECRETARY’S STATEMENT. 
The Secretary said: “TI wish first to thank you for the honor you 
have done me in electing me Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion, and desire to say that I shall do all in my power to uphold the 
interests of the Institution and its branches.” 
(@) GOVERNMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FoR 1907-8. 
The Secretary then submitted the following statement with regard 
to increases in the appropriations for the fiscal year 1907-8: 
INCREASES. 
internationale mxchangess 28:800) 0) a2, 000Ssa nana aeeen ees ae eee eee $3, 200 
Astrophysical Observatory, $14,000 to $15,000 ($2,000 of this appropria- 
tion is limited to printing one volume of the Annals)_-_____________ 1, 000 
National Museum; Preservation of Collections, $180,000 to $190,000 
(for increasing pay of laborers, and increasing size of watch force)__ 10, 000 
National Zoological Park; new (for reconstructing roads) _~__-_______ 15, 000 
American Historical Association, $5,000 to $7,000 (printing reports)____ 2, 000 
ota eins ee TRL GOAN ota ead a ute eel ae 31, 200 
DECREASES. 
National Museum: Printing, $34,000 to $33,000_-_._-.____._.____________ 1, 000 
Motalin Crea ses seas = = ae a ee ee ee 30, 200 
NEW MUSEUM BUILDING. 
For continuing the construction of the new building for the Museum, there 
was appropriated $1,250,000, being the balance on the total limitation of 
$3,500,000. 
(b) BUSINESS OF THE INSTITUTION. 
The Secretary stated that he had found the business of the Insti- 
tution in admirable condition, that the organization of the various 
branches was satisfactory, and that no immediate changes would be 
made. 
