912 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



addition, other materials, as oil, paints, brushes, etc., on hand, are also liable to 

 mishap. 



(5) Although a large number of cases are provided for, the greater part of the 

 immense floor space is as yet uncovered. One of the peculiarities of the architecture 

 of the building is that the 17 large halls are separated from each other by partitions 

 composed entirely of exhibition cases, and particular attention has, therefore, been 

 directed to building cases of this description; and many other special forms needed 

 for immediate use are yet to be ordered. 



(6) Not only will a delay in the completion of these additional cases enhance the 

 difficulties in the way of a speedy opening of the Museum, but suspension of work 

 thereon will be disastrous, since there are but a few manufacturers in the United 

 States capable of building such cases satisfactorily and economically, and these, hav- 

 ing but a limited capacity for work, can construct only a few at a time. The lumber 

 requires to be kiln dried, and for this and other reasons the time for constructing a 

 single lot of cases necessarily extends over a period of four or five months. Besides, 

 glass must be imported and hardware for interior fittings must be specially constructed. 



Moreover, the tendency at present to an advance in prices of skilled labor, lumber, 

 iron, etc., renders it extremely desirable that contracts should be given out at a date 

 as early as possible. Any delay will necessitate a discharge, by some of the manu- 

 facturers at, least, of workmen specially trained for the work required by these cases. 



(7) Should the cases now on hand not be immediately completed, the work of 

 putting the specimens on exhibition will undoubtedly and necessarily be suspended 

 for five or six months, and to this extent of time fulfillment of the general desire 

 that the Museum shall be opened to the public at as early a day as possible will be 

 delayed, while on the other hand, should these cases be finished at once it is believed 

 that a large quantity of the most interesting material can be presented for the inspec- 

 tion of visitors before the approach of another winter. 



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



SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary. 

 Hon. SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. 



December 4, 1882 House. 



Estimates for 1884. 



For furniture and fixtures, $60,000. 



For heating, lighting and telephonic and electrical service, $6,000. 



For the preservation of collections, $90,000. 



For Armory building, $3,500. 



For procuring and making a standard collection of minerals for the 

 service of the National Museum and the United States Geological 

 Survey, $30,000. 



For postage (included in estimate for the Department of the In- 

 terior), $1,700. 



For printing and binding (included in estimate for the Department 

 of the Interior), $10,000. 

 January 20, 1883. 

 Hon. CHAS. J. FOLGER, 



Secretary U. S. Treasury. 



SIR: I would respectfully request insertion of the following item in 

 the deficiency estimates now being prepared by your Department for 

 transmission to Congress, viz: 



To hasten the completion of exhibition cases for the new building for the National 

 Museum, $30,000. 



