FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. *1237 
[Extract.] 
U. S. Commission oF FisH AND FISHERIES, 
Washington, D. C., January 31, 1889. 
Sir: 
~ * * * * * * 
In regard to the item for rent of office (page 33, lines 1, 2, and 3 of the bill), the 
general opinion seems to be that the quarters now occupied by the Commission for 
offices should be vacated, and that the so-called Armory building, situated on the 
Government reservation south of the Baltimore and Potomac depot, should be fitted 
up for its use, and an amendment to the bill was accordingly presented in and adopted 
by the House. In my opinion, however, that amendment does not fully cover the 
needs of the Commission, and I would recommend that it be changed so as to read: 
“For altering, adapting, and extending the Armory building, on the Mall, in the 
city of Washington, for offices of the United States Fish Commission, including heat- 
ing apparatus and other equipments, $10,000, or so much thereof as may be neces- 
sary, the sum to be immediately available and to be expended under the direction 
of the Architect of the Capitol; and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 
is hereby required to move from the said building all properties under his control. 
And the Architect of the Capitol is hereby directed to examine and make report to 
Congress at its next regular session as to the practicability and cost of constructing a 
basement story under the National Museum building.”’ 
In regard to the increase of the item, attention is called to the fact that provision 
is simply made for fitting up the interior of the building, while, in my opinion, the 
exterior of the building should also receive some attention. Without doubt there 
should be an entire new roof, the present roof being in exceedingly bad condition, 
and a number of the upper layers of brick need relaying. 
Respecting the giving of the building in its entirety to the Commission, I would 
state that the character of the work performed under the direction of the Smith- 
sonian Institution is such as to render the prosecution of office duties and the keep- 
ing of archives a serious one, the work being principally the taxidermic preparation 
of animals, the making of plaster casts of fishes, relief maps, etc., rendering neces- 
sary a great deal of noise and creating much dust and other dirt and offensive odors. 
The attic of the building is stored with a number of large packages of such weight as 
to have rendered necessary the bracing of the floor by additional girders of great 
strength. In order that the exact condition of affairs may be seen, an inspection of 
the building by the committee is respectfully requested. 
* * * 
* * * * 
Very respectfully, 
Hon. W. B. ALtison, 
Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations. 
February 19, 1889—House. 
Sundry civil bill for 1890 considered. 
The next amendment was on page 42, to strike out the clause from 
line 3 to line 21, inclusive. 
(See House proceedings of January 25, 1889.) 
M. McDonatp, Commissioner. 
For altering and fitting up the interior of the Armory building, on the Mall, city 
of Washington, now occupied as a hatching station, for the accommodation of the 
offices of the United States Fish Commission, and for general repairs to said build- 
ing, including the heating apparatus, and for repairing and extending the outbuild- 
ings, $7,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, the same to be immediately 
available and to be expended under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol; 
and for the purpose above named the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution is 
