Report of tee Board of Managers. 11 



PiEPOPJ OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. 



The Board of Managers respectfully report, that on the 15tli day 

 of February, 1869, four days after their election, the Managers met 

 at the rooms of the Institute, and organized the Board for the ensuing 

 year, by making Mr. Orestes Cleveland permanent chairman, Mr. 

 Wni. II. Butler vice-chairman, and Mr. John W. Chambers secretary. 

 The Institute, at a regular meeting, on the 5th of November, 1868, 

 having referred the question of providing accommodations for the 

 National Association of Wool Manufacturers, who proposed to hold 

 an exposition of the wool industry of the country, under the auspices 

 of the American Institute, and in conjunction with its regular exhibi- 

 tion, a sub-committee of Managers was immediately appointed to 

 confer with the officers of that association. On the 15th of February, 

 Mr. Thomas McElrath, from tlie committee, reported that the National 

 Association of Wool Manufacturers, required at least 15 5 000 square 

 feet of floor space for their exposition. It being evident that no 

 place, before occupied by the Americaji Institute, would be capacious 

 enough for the next exhibition, the Board determined to seek new 

 quarters. To erect a building of requisite dimensions in time for the 

 autumnal exhibition was quite out of the question, but it was ascer- 

 tained that by adding a large temporary structure to the Empire 

 skating rink, situated on the 3d Avenue, between 63d and eith 

 streets, and having the dimensions of 170 by 350 feet, the whole 

 would probably afibrd ample accommodations. Accordingly on the 

 15th day of March, it was resolved to rent the rink during the months 

 of September and October, for the sum of S6,000, and pay any extra 

 insurance which might be required of its owners. A contract was 

 immediately thereafter made for the erection of a temporary building, 

 54: by 170 feet, whicli the Board, at its option, could use for two 

 months, or could purchase outright for the sum of $4,000. One 

 quarter of the great hall having been set apart for the use of the 

 National Association of Wool Manufacturers, it was ascertained by 

 the first of September, that the part remaining for the use of the 



