892 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



appropriate committee of the House of Representatives and receive that attention 

 which the urgency of the case requires: 



"Resolved, That the secretary and executive committee present a memorial to 

 Congress showing the importance and necessity of rendering the east wing of the 

 Smithsonian building fireproof, requesting an appropriation therefor, and, if the 

 means are furnished, to proceed with the work." 



It will be remembered that in January, 1865, a fire occurred in the Smithsonian 

 building, which destroyed a large portion of the main edifice, with its adjacent 

 towers, and a very large amount of valuable public and private property. 



The main building was restored with fireproof materials, but the east wing, 

 composed entirely of w r ood and plaster, and which had escaped injury, remains in 

 its previous dangerous condition. Originally a lecture room, it was fitted up many 

 years ago with apartments for the residence of the late Secretary and his family. 

 This application of the wing, however, was discontinued after Professor Henry's 

 death; but the rooms thus set apart are entirely unsuited to the operations of the 

 establishment, and while in every way objectionable, the timbers have decayed, 

 and no arrangements are provided for proper lighting, heating, and ventilation. 



The main building and western extension are occupied by the collections of the 

 Government; the east wing embraces the offices of the secretary, chief clerk, cor- 

 responding clerk and registrar, and also accommodations for the extensive opera- 

 tions of the department of international exchanges, the benefits of which accrue not 

 only principally to the library of Congress, but to all the public libraries and scien- 

 tific societies throughout the United States. The rooms are filled w r ith the archives, 

 files of correspondence, original scientific manuscripts, vouchers, the stock of 

 Government and Smithsonian publications for distribution at home and abroad, etc., 

 and their destruction by fire, to which they are constantly exposed, would be greatly 

 detrimental to the interests of the Government and the general public. 



In addition to this, an extensive fire in the east wing would endanger and pos- 

 sibly destroy the main portion of the Smithsonian building, the upper and lower 

 halls of w r hich contain rare specimens belonging to the Government, and most of 

 which could not be replaced. 



Congress has recognized the importance and propriety of gradually reconstructing 

 the interior of the Smithsonian building, in fireproof materials, by making appro- 

 priations for the purpose at various times between 1870 and 1875: and the last Con- 

 gress, in 1879, appropriated $3,000 "for providing additional security against fire in 

 the Smithsonian building." 



It is now proposed to remodel the interior of the east wing, so that, without dis- 

 turbing its present architectural style, the internal capacity will be doubled by a new 

 arrangement of floors, partitions, and roofs, and all the rooms be adapted to the effi- 

 cient prosecution of the work of the Institution and the various interests intrusted to 

 its management by Congress. 



Inclosed I beg to send a copy of the report of the board of fire inspectors (appointed 

 by the District Commissioners) upon the condition of the Smithsonian building. I 

 have the honor to ask, in the name and on behalf of the Board of Regents that the 

 following appropriation be made at the present session of Congress, viz: " For con- 

 tinuing and completing the fireproofing of the Smithsonian Institution, $50,000." 

 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary. 

 [Extract.] 



WASHINGTON, D. C., March 13, 1882. 

 To the honorable COMMISSIONERS, District of Columbia: 



GENTLEMEN: The commission to inspect buildings in the District beg leave to sub- 

 mit herewith report No. 5. 



By invitation of Professor Baird, the east wing and connecting corridor to the main 



