1932 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
we have occupied up to this time are but one on Massachusetts avenue 
(1443) and one on N street, and in addition to the accommodations 
afforded by them we have had a building for our officers near the 
National Museum. To get the offices in a convenient location and the 
accommodations necessary for work will require $4,000. 
Q. Where can you get such a place?—A. On the corner of New 
York avenue and Fifteenth street. in a fireproof building. 
Q. You mean the building the Safe Deposit Company is erecting 
now/—A. Yes, sir; the fifth story. There I shall be enabled to con- 
centrate my entire work under my immediate supervision. We have 
no abiding place, but are scattered all over the city. 
* By Mr. Jamxs B. Becx: 
Q. The building on Massachusetts avenue was convenient to Pro- 
fessor Baird, of course?—A. Yes, sir; but it is now entirely inconven- 
ient to the commission and to the public. The point I have selected 
is accessible and near all the departments. 
Q. What rent are they asking for the fifth story of that building ?— 
A. Four thousand dollars. That building is the only real fireproof 
building in Washington, so far as I know, that can be had. : 
Q. Is not that all here#—A. There is one question that does not 
involve an appropriation, but is a very serious matter to the commis- 
sion. The principal station of the commission in Washington is what 
is called the old armory building. The custody of that has been under 
the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institutiou. Pro- 
fessor Baird, when Secretary of the Smithsonian, allotted that to the 
Fish Commission, but they continued in the appropriation bills a clause 
making the custody of that building in the Secretary of the Smithson- 
ian Institution until 1886. Then it does not appear in the appropria- 
tion for the Smithsonian Institution until the present year, when I find 
in the item for ‘* Preservation of collections of the National Museum,” 
line 17, page 57, ‘‘and for the care and custody of the so-called armory 
building.” That building has been in the custody of the Fish Com- 
mission, and all expenses of its custody paid by the Fish Commission, 
for years. I desire to have inserted in the bill when you come to it 
By the CHAIRMAN: 
Q. In this paragraph?—A. Yes; page 57, line 17, strike out the 
following: 
And for the care and custody of the so-called armory building. 
We ought to have entire control. It is the important station of the 
commission. 
Q. You want to strike out that language and insert in lieu of it: 
And the Smithsonian Institution is hereby released from the custody of the so-called 
armory building and the same is transferred to the charge of the United States Com- 
missioner of Fish and Fisheries for use as a hatching and distributing station and for 
offices. 
