REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1918. 15 



of the natural history building with the adjoining rooms, and, shortly 

 after, the west north and the west ranges, by removing the collec- 

 tions of the division of mammals and of the Biological Survey to the 

 same ranges on the second floor. The space thus provided amounted 

 to approximately 25,000 square feet. 



On November 23, the President again wrote to the secretary asking 

 that the Board of Regents place at the disposal of this bureau from 

 60,000 to 80,000 additional feet in the exhibition halls. This matter 

 was referred to a special committee of the Regents who, from time 

 to time, authorized additional space in the exhibition halls, which 

 was provided by concentrating the cases in parts of each hall and 

 protecting them by means of partitions, thereby leaving large areas 

 available for this purpose. 



As the force increased additional space was granted, so that at the 

 close of the fiscal year the bureau occupied 69,286 square feet in the 

 foyer, auditorium, and ranges on the ground floor ; the rotunda, and 

 portions of the exhibition halls on the first floor extending from the 

 center of the north hall around east through the southern section 

 of the west hall, thereby providing accommodations for 3,059 em- 

 ployees. 



The occupancy of this space necessarily involved many changes 

 and inconveniences to the public as well as to the Museum, including 

 the closing of the auditorium with the cancellation of all meetings 

 and congresses. The importance of the work with which the bureau 

 is charged, however, justified any and all sacrifices, and the heartiest 

 cooperation and assistance were cheerfully rendered by the staff of 

 the Museum. 



On Jury 16, 1918, at the further request of the President, the Board 

 of Regents closed the natural history building to the public, thereby 

 making available for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance on the 

 ground and two exhibition floors a total of 138,600 square feet. 



APPROPRIATIONS. 



The maintenance and operations of the National Museum for the 

 fiscal year from July 1, 1917, to June 30, 1918, were provided for 

 by the following items of appropriation in the sundry civil bill, ap- 

 proved June 12, 1917, and urgent deficiency act, approved March 

 28, 1918: 



Preservation of collections $300,000 



Furniture and fixtures 25,000 



Heating and lighting 51,674 



Building repairs 10,000 



Purchase of books 2,000 



Postage 500 



Printing and binding 37,500 



Total 126, 674 



