1730 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
December 7, 1896—House. : 
Estimates for 1898. 
For the Smithsonian Institution, for printing labels and blanks, and 
for the ‘‘ Bulletins” and annual volumes of the ‘‘ Proceedings” of the 
National Museum—the editions of which shall not be less than 4,000 
copies—and binding scientific books and pamphlets presented to and 
acquired by the National Museum Library, $18,000. 
Nore.—The edition of 3,000 copies of the ‘‘ Bulletins’’ and ‘‘ Proceedings ’’ is not 
sufficient to supply the demands for these publications. It is our desire to distribute 
these volumes not only to Government depositories, public libraries, colleges, scien- 
tific schools, and scientific and technical societies in this country, but also to the 
principal centers of learning throughout the world, and to such teachers and investi- 
gators as are known to have use for them in their professional work. By such an 
extended distribution the Museum would widen the scope of its service, and doubt- 
less receive each year, in exchange, a far greater number of valuable books and 
specimens for its library and collections. With the increased demands to satisfy, an 
edition of at least 4,000 copies of each ‘‘ Bulletin’’ and volume of ‘‘ Proceedings”’ is 
required. 
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.—Plans have been made for the erection of galleries in the Museum building 
to provide a place for the exhibition of some of the accumulations of recent years, 
and cases and fittings will be needed. These will cost an amount as great as the 
whole appropriation of 1897. The larger sum now asked for is necessary to meet 
these requirements and to provide for the reconstruction of cases which the crowded 
condition of the building makes indispensable. Every year collections are offered 
to the Museum on condition that they be exhibited and cared for. Such as are 
accepted have to be installed in proper cases, and the materials and fittings for these, 
as well as the services of carpenters and cabinetmakers, are paid for from this appro- 
priation. The full amount estimated for should be provided. 
For the expense of heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and tele- 
phonic service for the National Museum, $15,000. 
Notr.—The cost of all fuel, gas, electrical service, including supplies and apparatus, 
telephones, etc., as well as the pay of engineers, electricians, firemen, and other 
employees connected with this service, has to be paid from thisfund. The electrical 
plant, to which additions have to be made, and the expense of maintenance is also 
borne by this appropriation. The majority of boilers used in heating the building 
have been in use for many years, and require constant repairing to keep them in a 
safe and serviceable condition. The full amount estimated for should be provided. 
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, $180,000. 
Norr.—All expenses incident to the preservation and increase of the collections, 
including the compensation of the scientific and clerical staff, the pay of mechanics, 
watchmen, laborers, and cleaners, are paid from this fund. The appropriation for 
the current fiscal year has been more than usually drawn upon for services on account 
