644 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



now be replaced by one of fireproof materials. The fireproofing, as far as it was 

 carried, was well done, and it is to this circumstance that the preservation of the 

 most valuable objects of the establishment is due. 



III. SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. 



There can be no hesitation in adopting the conclusion that steps should be imme- 

 diately taken not only to repair the injury, but to improve the condition of the 

 building. 



1. The main edifice should be provided with a metallic roof. 



2. For the wooden conical terminations of the towers should be substituted metallic 

 coverings. 



3. All valuable articles belonging to the Institution or deposited in it, including 

 the library, should be placed in the main building, which should be cut off from the 

 wings by iron doors. 



4. Provision should be made for a thorough heating of the whole building by steam 

 or hot water. 



5. Suggestions should be requested from competent architects and engineers as to 

 work to be done, and those which are adopted should be embodied in working plans 

 and drawings. 



6. A building committee of the board should be appointed to have charge of the 

 work. 



No very exact estimate can as yet be made as to the cost of the repairs, etc., for it 

 has not been possible, without erecting a scaffolding, to determine whether it will be 

 necessary to take down the high northern tower. Colonel Alexander, of the Engineer 

 Corps, however, has informed the committee that he thinks $100,000 will be required 

 to make the necessary repairs and improvements. 



The committee can not conclude without adding that, in their opinion, the occur- 

 rence of the fire ought not to be allowed to interfere with the active operations of 

 the Institution, on which essentially depends the reputation it has established 

 throughout the world and its efficiency as an instrument for "the increase and dif- 

 fusion of knowledge among men." To the support and extension of these opera- 

 tions, therefore, the annual interest from the original fund should, as far as possible, 

 continue as heretofore to be conscientiously applied. 



Respectfully submitted. 



RICHARD WALLACH, 

 JOSEPH HENRY, 



Special Committee. 



WASHINGTON, February, 1865. 



(Appended to this report was the testimony relative to the origin of 

 the fire, losses, etc.) 



At a subsequent meeting of the committee Professor Henry was 

 requested to state his connection with the Institution, to give an 

 account of its objects and operations, the origin of the building, and 

 such other facts as might be of public interest. In conformity with 

 this request he made a statement: (See Senate Rep. Com. No. 129, 

 Thirty-eighth Congress, second session.) 



Mr. SOLOMON FOOT offered a resolution to print 1,000 extra copies 

 of the report, 500 of which to be for the use of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 

 February 22, 1865 Senate. 



The resolution of Mr. Solomon Foot to print report on the fire was 

 adopted. 



