REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 13 



ing operations until after the close of the year. There is every 

 prospect, however, of better progress hereafter. 



In the matter of repairs to existing buildings, the roofs of the 

 Museum building have, as usual, demanded most attention. Con- 

 structed a quarter of a century ago at so low a cost as to necessitate 

 the strictest economy in material and workmanship, they have given 

 trouble almost from the beginning, and on a few occasions some of 

 the main sections have threatened to collapse from the weight of 

 snow. The temporary strengthening a few years ago of the sup- 

 porting framework over the main halls has continued to be effective, 

 but the covering, especially where of slate, has so far deteriorated as 

 to act almost like a sieve during heavy rains. In the last report 

 mention was made of an experimental trial in the direction of stop- 

 ping the leaks by placing over the slate of the east hall a coating of 

 asphalt, burlap, and slag. Having answered the purpose through 

 one season, the corresponding roofs over the three other main halls 

 were treated in the same manner during last year. The roofs of the 

 rotunda and southeast pavilion were also covered with asphalt and 

 burlap, the slag being omitted. 



The slate roof over the northeast pavilion was renewed with a bet- 

 ter quality of slate. The window ventilators in the clearstories of 

 the. main halls were provided with gearing to permit of their being 

 handled from the floor, some additional skylights were inserted over 

 four of the ranges, and much of the metal work, as well as of the 

 woodwork facing upon the roof, were painted. Several worn-out 

 floors in the Museum building were replaced by cement, tiles, or 

 wood, the men's toilet room was entirely renovated, and many wall 

 surfaces defaced by leaks or time were touched up or repainted. 



The 20 large windows in the archeological hall, which have for 

 some time been in such poor condition that a heavy storm might 

 crush them in, were completely repaired, reglazed, and painted, a 

 lonii; and tedious work, since they are cut up into small panes set 

 diamond shape. The workshops and storage sheds called for a small 

 amount of repairs. 



The trenches under the building, in which are located the steam 

 pipes and electric wires, were thoroughly renovated, all dead wires 

 being removed and the live ones placed in steel conduits. Those on 

 the north side of the building were found to be exceedingly damp, 

 caused by the seepage of water through the adjoining walls. This 

 condition it has been arranged to correct by the construction of a 

 cement platform or walk along the outside of the wall. 



In view of the crowded condition of the halls only a few exhibi- 

 tion cases were constructed, but in order to accommodate new col- 

 lections, of which many were received during the year, especially 

 from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, a number of cases of old 



