18 REPOKT OF NATI0]Sr4L MUSEUM, 1912. 



lining, causing many leaks, and experiments have been commenced 

 looking to the replacement of the copper with tin, which experience 

 has shown to be much better suited to this purpose. The painting of 

 the interior plastered walls and ironwork of the new building au- 

 thorized by a special appropriation approved June 25, 1910, was 

 completed early in the year, the last important item being the finish- 

 ing of the south pavilion and rotunda. 



While the older Museum building is of a substantial character, and 

 its walls and roofs, the latter having been largely replaced in recent 

 years, are, as a whole, in good condition, the building is in need of 

 extensive renovation after a service of over 30 years, during which 

 it was given only a moderate amount of attention in this respect. As 

 a preliminary step in this direction, all of its many windows were 

 thoroughly overhauled and repaired during the year, and their exte- 

 rior woodwork was repainted. The outside of the building also re- 

 ceived many minor repairs, and near the close of the year the remodel- 

 ing and refurbishing of the toilet rooms, which had reached a very 

 unsightly and insanitaiy condition, were begun. Other interior work 

 performed was mainly of the nature of repairs to floors, walls, and 

 ceilings. 



In the Smithsonian building a beginning was made toward the 

 renovation of the windows, which are largely worn out and to a con- 

 siderable extent in such a dilapidated condition as to be in danger 

 of collapse during any hea%^^ stonn. The so-called stable building, 

 mainly used for preparators' shops, received a new tin roof. 



The mechanical plant was operated during only 10 months of the 

 year, having been closed down in July and August to permit of the 

 overhauling of the boilers and engines. This arrangement was found 

 to be economical as well as advantageous, since the electric current 

 needed for lighting and power could be purchased during that period 

 at an exceptionally low rate and the leaves of absence due the mem- 

 bers of the force could be mainly taken at the same time. The con- 

 sumption of coal amounted to 3,175 tons for the year, and the gen- 

 eration of steam for heating purposes extended from October 18, 

 1911, to May 18, 1912. The cement floor of the large engine room 

 which had been the source of a fine dust that settled upon the ma- 

 chinery and even penetrated into the bearings of the engines and 

 pumps, and which also proved uncomfortable for the men working 

 about the plant, was covered with linoleum. 



Three wheeled Kanawha chemical fire engines w^ere added to the 

 fire-fighting apparatus in the new building, being located, respec- 

 tively, on the ground, second, and third floors. The electric lighting 

 system, b}^ the introduction of appropriate fixtures, was extended to 

 the skylighted sections of the east and west wings, the picture gal- 



