ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 13 



It is supposed that the contents of a purely commercial build- 

 ing can be replaced in case of loss with the money received from 

 insurance. But such is not possible with many of the books in a 

 valuable library such as is ours, which ranks very high, if not 

 first of its kind. 



We are dependent for rental, above our first story, in this valu- 

 able location, from our halls when they are not required for our 

 regular exhibitions or lectures. 



In these we are greatly handicapped for two chief reasons. 

 First of these is, that we have not suitable toilet and dressing 

 rooms to make the halls as desirable as they should be for the 

 best-paying uses, or, indeed, for any demands such as are in 

 keeping with modern requirements. 



Second of these is, that by reserving our lower hall for our 

 lectures on Saturdays, in January, February, and March, it is 

 impossible to accommodate a certain class of applicants for its 

 use, whose best receipts come by renting for a complete week, 

 especially in the middle of the winter season. 



I present this phase to show that the ownership of so much 

 space devoted to halls, such as are ours in this location, is unwise, 

 with the adaptability to our needs so poor. 



During the past and previous years, several plans have been 

 considered by your chosen Committee, which were presented to 

 them with a view to improving the accommodations for our char- 

 tered work, and which were estimated to yield fair revenue to 

 promote that work. 



The alteration of the present building has been considered, but 

 it appears that such action can only change the conditions, and 

 better them but little, if at all. If changes are to be made, they 

 should include radical and advanced improvements. 



A leading firm of architects, and a competent real-estate firm, 

 upon request, freely submitted a plan for an entirely new fire- 

 proof building upon this site, of the extreme height allowed by 

 law, which would reserve the two upper stories for one hall (for 

 all but our largest exhibitions), a two-story library and reading- 

 room, with committee rooms separated by folding doors which 

 would allow of their being thrown into one ; and afford other 

 needed accommodations. The financial showing upon this plan 

 appeared quite favorable to the Society when made. Tlie balance 



