REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 35 
purchases when desirable specimens are offered at reasonable prices, 
as there can be no question but that every opportunity should be 
utilized to complete the collections of the Museum. Civilized man 
is occupying increasing areas of the surface of the earth, and with 
his occupation come such vast changes from the original condition 
that natural conformations are destroyed and hundreds and thou- 
sands of species of animals and plants must disappear. Only those 
remain that are sufliciently adaptable to fit into the modified scheme 
brought about by man’s presence, and those at all sensitive to change 
or that require special conditions for their existence inevitably dis- 
appear. The next 50 years will offer the last opportunities to secure 
many forms of nature for preservation for the information and 
study of future generations, so that yearly it becomes more and more 
important, in fact a duty, to secure such material. Opportunities 
now neglected may never offer again. Certainly the National 
Museum of one of the greatest countries in the world should not 
fall behind in such matters. 
Another matter deserving most serious consideration is that of the 
status of pay of the members of the staff. When the general re- 
classification act went into effect on July 1, 1924, it included provision 
for increase in pay at regular rates in the various grades. During 
the present year the third survey of the efficiency of the entire staff 
has been made with the result that it has been found that the 
majority have attained an efficiency rating sufficient to warrant pro- 
motion. The majority still stand at the entrance salaries in their 
respective grades. The financial assistance already accorded the 
staff has been greatly appreciated but it should be supplemented now, 
after a lapse of three years, as indicated. It is important that pro- 
vision be made to make the promotions indicated to maintain the 
morale of the personnel. Such promotion is required especially in 
the many low salaried positions since these do not afford a proper 
living wage. 
Modern developments in transportation, particularly the automo- 
bile, have’ brought to the National Museum a greatly increased 
attendance, one drawn from a broader area of our country than 
ever before. Parking spaces near the Museum are crowded daily, 
except during the colder months, with cars bearing license tags from 
every State in the Union. The educational function of the collec- 
tions has thus been broadened and extended and personal contact has 
been established with a larger body of the public. Interest in mat- 
ters that pertain properly to the sphere of a museum has also in- 
creased, with a resultant growth in number of inquiries by mail and 
in amount of material forwarded for identification or for informa- 
tion regarding it. 
