EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1925 19 



was considerable. The work was begun on September 18 and com- 

 pleted on December 29, 1924, at a total cost of $4,121.12. Other 

 minor repairs to the interior and exterior of the building were also 

 made. 



In the Aircraft Building two new oak panels were installed in 

 the main doorway, and broken glass in windows and skylights was 

 replaced from time to time. Slight repairs to floors and windows 

 were made also in the south shed and in the Freer Building. 



Heat^ light^ and 'potoer plant. — The power plant, which was closed 

 down as usual during the summer, was put in operation on Septem- 

 ber 15 and continued until May 29, 1925. While the plant was not 

 in full operation all of the employees were given the greater portion 

 of their leave, and those not on leave were occupied in making nec- 

 essary repairs to the boilers and other machinery, to put them in 

 condition for the year. The amount of electricity used for lighting 

 the building, operating machinery, and for certain exhibits was ap- 

 proximately the same as for the preceding year, which is within 25 

 per cent of the capacity of the plant. 



The cost for the year has been materially less than the last fiscal 

 year. The maximum price for bituminous coal stored was $6.30 

 and the minimum $5.45, with an average cost of $5.75 a ton. For 

 the first time in many years it has been possible to secure nut and 

 slack bituminous coal from the New liiver fields, which is the type 

 of coal best suited to the Museum plant. This coal also runs higher 

 in heat value and is better adapted for coal-handling machinery, 

 due to the absence of large lumps which tend to clog the moving 

 parts of the apparatus. 



As the boiler plant had been in service 15 years without any major 

 repairs, it was considered advisable to have the boilers examined 

 and inspected by the Steamboat Inspection Service of the United 

 States Government. The result of the examination was very satis- 

 factory with the exception of one tube in one of the boilers. This 

 has been replaced. On the recommendation of the inspector, ar- 

 rangements have been made to run an additional feed water-pipe 

 line to the individual boilers to provide for a contingency when it 

 might be impossible to get water through the present line. On the 

 recommendation of the engineer, the Steamboat Inspection Service 

 Avill be requested to examine and test the boilers annually. 



The two Copes automatic feed regulators purchased during the 

 previous fiscal year were installed before the beginning of the season. 

 These proved so satisfactory that two additional regulators were 

 purchased and installed on the other boilers. Indicating steam-flow 

 meters have also been purchased and will be installed during the 

 summer which will permit the firemen to determine whether or not 

 each boiler is carrying the proper proportion of the total load. 



