1576 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
For continuing the preservation, exhibition, and increase of the col- 
lections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Govern- 
ment, and from other sources, including salaries or compensation of all 
necessary employees, $145,000. 
(The Smithsonian Institution estimates for an increase in this item 
of $35,000 over the present appropriation. ) 
Norr.—The constant growth of the collections, the steady increase in the number 
of visitors, and the yearly extending demands of educational institutions and of the 
public upon the Museum render the appropriations of last year insufficient, although 
expended with the strictest economy. 
A small amount of money is also essential for the purchase of specimens which can 
not be obtained otherwise, and which are indispensable for completing series in the 
collections. 
It is desirable that the number of persons in the paid scientific staff should be 
increased. At present much of the scientific work is performed by volunteers with- 
out compensation—a system which is found advantageous to a limited extent only. 
Even with this aid from scientists not connected with the Museum, it is impossible 
for the curators and their assistants to perform the urgent work of their departments. 
This is attributable in a degree to the growing frequency of the demands of educa- 
tional institutions and the outside public upon the staff for information and aid. 
The salaries paid the scientific staff should be greater, their compensation being at 
present less for actual service than that of teachers of the higher grades in the public 
schools. 
The salaries of clerks and other administrative employees are much smaller than 
the compensation for similar ‘services in the Executive Departments’ of the Goy- 
ernment. ! 
A greater number of watchmen is required to insure the safe-keeping of the yvalua- 
ble collections, and, in order that the number of hours of service of the laboring 
force may not be increased, more laborers and cleaners are necessary for the care and 
arrangement of the cases and collections and for keeping the buildings in proper 
condition. 
To meet customs-duties on glass, tin, and other dutiable articles and 
supplies imported for the National Museum, $1,000. Y 
(The Smithsonian Institution estimates for an increase in this item 
of $1,000 over the present appropriation. ) 
Nore.—Rendered necessary under the provisions of the act of October 1, 1890, 
“to reduce the revenue,’’ etc. 
For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhi- 
bition and safe-keeping of the collections of the National Museum, 
including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $25,000. 
(The Smithsonian Institution estimates for an increase in this item 
of $5,000 over the present appropriation. ) 
Norr.—To keep pace with the constant increase in the number of objects, espe- 
cially in the educational and study series, and with the growing demands of the pub- 
lic, and to care properly for the valuable objects now in the custody of the Museum 
and constantly being added to the series, provision must be made for the construc- 
tion of additional cases; especially is this true of the valuable lay figures illustrating 
the characteristics of the races of mankind, many of which it has so far been neces- 
sary to leave unprotected. About one-half the amount heretofore appropriated has 
