REPORT OF THE 

 DIRECTOR OF THE AQUARIUM 



TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. 



'pHE Aquarium, as one of the public museums of New York, 

 continues, despite its unfailing attraction for the people, 

 to represent a neglected opportunity. 



Possessing a greater interest for the public than any other 

 institution, and forced to carry on the office work of a great 

 museum without the proper facilities for doing so, the fund for 

 its maintenance at present is less than that provided ten years 

 ago. It remains, through lack of space and lack of considera- 

 tion by the authorities, in a condition of arrested development. 



Its unique possibilities for usefulness and greater attractive- 

 ness have long been apparent. They have, indeed, been set forth 

 persistently by its officers, yet its prospects for early improve- 

 ment are not encouraging. 



We have been repeatedly assured that the enlargement of 

 the building by the City on the comprehensive plans prepared 

 in 1911, is altogether impossible. We are now informed that the 

 much needed alterations in the present structure, according to 

 the very modest plans prepared during the past year, cannot be 

 considered at all. 



The only hope for the moderate improvements desired would 

 appear to depend on the faint prospect of securing funds from 

 private sources. 



The alterations proposed include the removal of the mechan- 

 ical department of the Aquarium from the rear of the building 

 to the unused basement at the front, and the construction of a 

 third story above the present office section. The first would per- 

 mit of greater efficiency in operating the mechanical department 

 and allow the reclaiming of valuable space for exhibits. The 

 second would provide space for office work that has always been 

 carried on under serious drawbacks. Included with them were 



