FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS, 1881-1883. 9H 



Of the Permanent Exhibition in Philadelphia vast amounts of valu- 

 able contributions in the way of geological and mineralogical speci- 

 mens, and of illustrations of the various industries of the countrv have 

 recently been presented to the United States, on condition of' their 

 transfer to and exhibition in the National Museum. For this ilso 

 estimate is made. 



The estimate for distributing duplicates is the same as one made some 

 years ago for a similar purpose, while that for the transfer of collec- 

 tions from the Permanent Exhibition in Philadelphia corresponds to an 

 appropriation made by Congress in 1877 for a like transfer from the 

 International Exhibition. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary. 

 Hon. S. J. KIRKWOOD, 



Secretary of the Interior. 

 January 25, 1882 House. 



A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury transmitting 

 the estimates of deficiency appropriations for the fiscal year ending 

 June 30, 1882, and prior years, contained the item: 



Furniture and fixtures for the National Museum: To expedite the 

 work of constructing the exhibition cases in the new building for the 

 National Museum during the present fiscal year, $30,000. 

 NOTE. For explanation of this estimate see letter of Professor Baird: 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 

 Washington, D. C., January 14, 1883. "' 



SIR: I beg respectfully to request that the following item be inserted in the 

 deficiency estimates now being made up by the Department for transmission to 

 Congress, viz: To expedite the work of constructing the exhibition cases in the new 

 building for the National Museum, $30,000. 



In explanation of this request, I would state that no actual deficiency exists, but 

 that the sum above mentioned is required as an addition to the appropriation for 

 furniture and fixtures for the present fiscal year (that of 1881-82) , which has already 

 been pledged for cases in course of construction under contract. 

 In this connection I would submit the following statements: 



(1) About 250 cases have been arranged for, and for the most part delivered, 

 affording an aggregate exhibition and storage capacity equal to 35,000 running 

 feet of shelving 1 foot wide, or nearly 1 acre. 



(2) These cases are contracted for to be delivered in an incomplete condition, it 

 having been found cheaper to import glass and to purchase locks, hinges, and 

 interior fittings for the same from the manufacturers. It has also been found that 

 the cases can be finished, polished, and set up in a more satisfactory and economical 

 manner by mechanics working under the personal supervision of the officers of the 

 Museum than by contract. 



(3) The Museum has now in its employ a considerable force of men who, by 

 careful training, have gained experience indispensable to the proper performance of 

 this work, and their discharge at the present time would render necessary the em- 

 ployment of unskilled labor when the work is resumed. 



(4) A large quantity of plate and crystal glass for these cases, which was 

 imported at a time when glass was much cheaper than at present, is now lying in 

 the building, and unless this can be speedily used it is liable to deterioration. Ill 



