1666 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
desirable that a certain amount of money be appropriated for the purchase of 
specimens which can not be obtained otherwise, and which are indispensable for 
completing series in the collections, and which, if not secured, are constantly being 
bought by the museums of Europe. It is also very 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 without compensation, a system which is 
found advantageous to a limited extent only. With this aid from specialists, not even 
connected with the Museum, it is impossible for the curators and their assistants to 
perform the urgent work of their departments. In a degree this is attributable to 
the growing frequency of the demands of educational institutions and the outside 
public upon the staff for information and aid. For the safe-keeping of the collections, 
whose increase in value has rendered the responsibility of custody much greater, the 
force of watchmen should also be increased, while to insure proper cleanliness of the 
floors and cases a larger number of laborers and cleaners should be employed than 
is possible with the appropriation of the present year. 
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, $30,000. 
Norr.—Valuable collections are constantly being offered to the Museum ag gifts, 
on the condition that suitable cases be made for them. In view of the great reduc- 
tion of the appropriation for furniture and fixtures, the necessary annual expenditures 
for receptacles and other fittings for the preservation and exhibition of specimens, 
and the cost of keeping the cases already on hand in repair and adapting them to 
other purposes, a very small amount is left for providing the necessary number of new 
cases. 
For the expense of heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and 
telephonic service for the National Museum, $15,000. 
Norr.—With a less amount than that asked for it is impossible to maintain a suffi- 
ciently high temperature in winter for the comfort of employees and visitors, and at 
the same time to make necessary repairs of the burglar alarms, telephone wires, and 
other steam and electrical apparatus. The force of firemen is inadequate and should 
be increased. . 
For postage stamps and foreign postal cards for the National 
Museum, $500. 
For the erection of galleries in two or more halls of the National 
Museum building; said galleries to be constructed of iron beams, 
supported by iron pillars, and protected by iron railings, and pro- 
vided with suitable staircases; the work to be done under the direc- 
tion of the Architect of the Capitol, and in accordance with the 
approval of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, $8,000. 
Nore.—The erection of these galleries will add materially to the area available in the 
present Museum building for exhibition and storage purposes. Such galleries were 
provided for in the original plans of the building. They can be supported in such a 
manner as not to detract from the appearance of the halls or to interfere with the 
installation of the collections. 
For repairs to buildings, shops, and sheds, National Museum, includ- 
ing all necessary labor and material, $8,000. 
