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not be largely influenced by obstacles and difficulties in the 

 way — difficulties such as arise from unfavorable method of 

 control, lack of adequate housing and material equipment, 

 and preoccupation of the field by other organizations and 

 departments. 



Its method of control is unfortunate. When a museum is 

 dependent upon trustees who are preoccupied with other af- 

 fairs and who are trustees simply because of other positions 

 which they hold and not because they have any in- 

 terest in the museum, the service which they render the 

 museum and the aid which they give to it for fulfilling obli- 

 gations imposed upon it are a minimum. 



In President Eliot's recent book on "University Admin- 

 istration" light is thrown on the great advantages enjoyed by 

 institutions free from ex-officio boards of control. Such free- 

 dom would be to the advantage of the museum. For ex- 

 ample, the State Academy might nominate a committee of 

 six competent men willing to serve, and from them the Gover- 

 nor could select three to act as trustees. There are many 

 men in the State who would give the museum their best 

 thought and support and could help it to more nearly ac- 

 complish the work that is crying for attention. 



An even more serious obstacle to progress is encountered 

 in the lack of room for work and for exhibition. Many other 

 states have surpassed Illinois in provision for their museums. 

 Some have fine buildings. Here again the Academy could 

 render a great service by urging that suitable museum room 

 be provided. While the members of the General Assembly 

 respect science and have a vague notion that it is worthy of 

 encouragement, they will never do anything unless scientific 

 men not only ask but urge each legislator to vote for a 

 building. With legislators people count, abstract principles 

 play an insignificant part. The State needs a fire-proof build- 

 ing where collections which have been growing for half a 

 century may be preserved and where much needed work in 

 natural history may be done. 



Some idea of the scope and importance of the work that 



