FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1271 
out disturbance from others. Complex mathematical computations can not be suc- 
cessfully carried on by aman occupying a room in common with others; he needs 
to be alone. And the same conditions prevail in all lines of research. What is 
needed, therefore, for the accommodation of the scientific workers of the Survey is a 
great number of small rooms, where every man engaged in abstruse study may be 
alone. . 
I have ‘planned a building which I believe is well adapted to the needs of the 
Survey, and if this building is constructed in a simple manner, but substantially and 
fireproof, it will cost $640,000 as estimated by me, and in making this estimate I 
have had the advice of architects and builders and have studied carefully the various 
items of cost. 
If an appropriation of $300,000 is made, about one-half of this building can be 
erected and immediately utilized before the other half is finished. It would practi- 
cally be a complete building in itself, but would not meet the full needs of the 
Survey. Nevertheless, it may be wise to erect the building in part and to make the 
first appropriation $300,000. 
The building planned does not provide for museum space. The statutes now pro- 
vide that the collections of the Geological Survey, when no longer needed for 
investigations in progress, shall be deposited in the National Museum. The plan 
contemplated in the bill before your committee provides that the building for the 
Geological Survey shall be near to the National Museum, between that building and 
the Army Medical Museum building. -Such an arrangement of buildings will be 
highly advantageous to the Survey, as the offices of the Survey would be adjacent 
to the National Museum, and the materials stored in the Museum building would be 
accessible for reference and comparison, as constantly needed. ~ s 
I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 
J. W. PowEtu, Director 
Hon. SamvurL DIBBLeE, 
Chairman Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, 
House of Representatives. 
. Committed to Committee of the Whole. 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY. 
December 18, 1888. 
December 18, 1888. 
Dear Sir: You were good enough to say last evening that you were prepared to 
write officially to authorize the Smithsonian Institution to occupy the site in Arling- 
ton Cemetery for an astrophysical laboratory, devoted to investigations especially 
requiring seclusion and quiet. 
I did not, I fear, then express the gratification with which I learned that no 
obstacle existed, or thank you as earnestly as I now desire to do for your disposition 
to further the Institution’s wishes. 
J have the honor to request that you will authorize me to oceupy the ground indi- 
cated in the accompanying plat and memorandum for the purpose in question. 
With much respect, I am your obedient servant, 
8. P. Lane.ey, Secretary. 
Hon. W. C. Enpicort, Secretary of War. 
(Memorandum and blue print inclosed. ) 
War DEPARTMENT, 
‘Washington City, January 9, 1889. 
Str: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ultimo, 
requesting that the Smithsonian Institution be authorized to occupy a site in the 
Arlington National Cemetery, as indicated in a memorandum and plat inclosed by 
you, for the purposes of an astrophysical laboratory. 
