FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1227 
present building. The eighteen exhibition halls on the two main floors are com- 
pletely isolated from each other and are capable of subdivision into smaller halls. 
The lighting will be equally as good as in the present building, the ventilation will 
be much better, and in other important respects the sanitary arrangements will be 
far more satisfactory. 
A basement story is absolutely necessary, not only with a view to promoting the 
comfort and health of visitors and employees as well as for securing greater dryness 
and better preservation of the specimens, but also for the purpose of providing large 
apartments for storerooms and workshops. These proposed improvements in arrange- 
ment will not, however, interfere with the possibility of constructing a building 
which shall conform in the essential points of exterior proportion with the main 
features of the present building. 
The present building contains about 80,000 square feet of floor space available for 
exhibition and storage. The building proposed will contain about 220,000 square 
feet. The amount of room for offices and laboratories would be about the same in 
each. The net area in the new building available for exhibitions, storage, and office 
rooms, as estimated, would be between 5 and 6 acres. 
For the construction of the present Museum building an appropriation of $250,000 
was made. This sum was supplemented by the following special appropriations: 
$25,000 for steam-heating apparatus; $26,000 for marble floors; $12,500 for water and 
gas fixtures and electrical apparatus, and $1,900 for special sewer connections. The 
total amount expended on this building was therefore $315,400, and it is generally 
admitted that the cost of its construction was considerably cheaper than that of any 
other similar building in existence; in fact, perhaps too cheap to secure the truest 
economy. 
The proposed structure can be erected at a proportionately smaller cost. I have 
obtained from responsible bidders, who are willing to give bonds for the completion 
of the work in accordance with the bids which they have submitted, estimates for 
the erection of the building complete, with steam-heating apparatus and all other 
essential appliances excepting the electrical equipment, amounting in the aggregate 
to $473,000; bids upon which the estimates of cost have been made were not com- 
petitive, and it is possible that something may be saved through competition. It is, 
however, necessary to provide also for the architect’s superintendence, and for the 
removal and reconstruction of the Smithsonian stable, which now occupies the site. 
I therefore think it advisable to make request for the sum of $500,000, in order that 
these additional items and other contingencies may be covered. 
The sketches of the exterior of the proposed building were made in great haste, and 
by no means exhibit its architectural possibilities. The main entrance is far less 
imposing, for instance, than a proper arrangement of the steps and arches would make 
it. The ‘‘lovore,’’ or dormer windows, which will appear in the roof, are absent, and 
the variety of color, which in the actual building will be given by the use of colored 
brick and terra cotta, is not shown. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
Hon. J. S. Morriit, 
United States Senate, Washington. 
P.S. With the other plans herewith transmitted I send a copy of the plan of the 
Smithsonian grounds, showing the location of the present buildings and that of the 
proposed structure, whose site is indicated by a dotted line. 
S. P. Lanarey, Secretary. 
Unirep Sratres Natronat Museum, 
Washington, June 7, 1888. 
My Dear Sr: I take pleasure in responding to your request for information con- 
cerning the character and extent of the material which renders necessary the con- 
struction of a new building for the accommodation of the National Museum. 
