FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS, 1881-1883. 913 



I would remark, by way of explanation, that no actual deficiency 

 exists. The sum asked, however, is desired in addition to the appro- 

 priation for furniture and fixtures for the present fiscal year (1882-83), 

 said appropriation being pledged for cases and fixtures in course of 

 construction under contract. 



I would state, further, that the cases necessary to fill the space of 

 the new building will, if placed end to end, occupy a length of 12,500 

 feet, or nearly 2i miles, of which a large proportion remain to be 

 constructed. 



The Museum has now in its employ a considerable number of skilled 

 mechanics, who by careful training have derived that experience which 

 is absolutely indispensable to the building and finishing of the required 

 exhibition cases, and their discharge just now would render necessary 

 the employment of unskilled labor when the work is resumed. In 

 addition, large quantities of imported glass and of other materials 

 necessary to the work of providing furniture and fixtures for the 

 building are on hand, and should be speedily utilized to prevent pos- 

 sible deterioration in one way and another. 



I have the honor to be, very truly, yours, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary. 



January 23, 1883. 



Hon. C. J. FOLGER, 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



SIR: I have the honor to submit the following estimate for a defi- 

 ciency in the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, 

 and beg to request that you will transmit the same to Congress: 



To complete the transfer and preparation of the Philadelphia collections presented 

 to the United States at the close of the Permanent International Exhibition in 

 Philadelphia, including necessary expenses already incurred, $4,112.82. 



I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



NATIONAL MUSEUM APPROPRIATIONS. 



March 6, 1882. 



Urgent deficiency act for 1882, etc. 



Furniture and fixtures: To expedite the work of constructing the 

 exhibition cases in the new building for the National Museum during 

 the present fiscal year, $30,000. 



(Stat., XXH, 10.) 

 June 26, 1882 House. 



Mr. FRANK HISCOCK, from the Committee on Appropriations, sub- 

 mitted a report (H. 1520) to accompany sundry civil 

 H. Doc. 732 58 



