874 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
was seen that the wing of the Park Building, which had been provided 
for the accommodation of the Government exhibits, was entirely inad- 
equate for the purpose, it having only about 13,000 feet of floor space, 
no more than was required by the Smithsonian Institution and the 
U. S. Fish Commission. But the management were not only quick to 
appreciate what was needed, but prompt to act. It was immediately 
decided to provide the requisite space, so far as the limits of the Park ' 
would permit, by constructing additional buildings ; plans were pre- 
pared and contracts made with the least possible delay, while the 
assurance was given that the “ Government Annex” would be com- 
pleted sufficiently early to permit the installation of the exhibit before 
July 4, the date fixed upon for the opening of the Exposition. 
The plans contemplated as a part of the annex the construction of a 
wing running north from the structure originally intended for the use of 
the Government, and since the northern end of this was to be near the 
large water pipes entering the exposition grounds it was deemed a 
favorable location for the Fish Commission exhibit. It was learned that 
the management would afford to the aquarial display all practicable 
facilities, among which maybe mentioned all the electric lights required 
for lighting the aquaria. Arrangements were made for storing boxes, 
trucking material, and much useful information was obtained concern- 
ing the terminal facilities of different railroads, and such other matters 
as were directly connected with the transportation and installation of 
exhibits. 
I returned to Washington on June 8, and immediately set to work to 
prepare the exhibit. 
Organization of a board . — Previous to my appointment in charge of 
the Fish Commission exhibit the representatives of the other Depart- 
ments had informally met and organized as a board, this action being 
taken to facilitate the transaction of certain business connected with 
the Government display in which all the Departments had a common 
interest. Col. Cecil Olay, representative of the Department of Justice, 
was selected by the board for its chairman ; Mr. Haughwout Howe, 
representative of the State Department, as secretary, and Mr. Marcel- 
lus Gardner, representative of the Department of the Interior, was ap- 
pointed in charge of the preparation of certain forms of stationery. 
Because of some indefiniteness in the law and a misunderstanding 
resulting therefrom concerning the status of the Fish Commission there 
was at first some difficulty in securing for it the proper recognition, 
though the matter was satisfactorily arranged after proper explanations ' 
had been made. 
The organization of the board was generally beneficial, since the sev- 
eral Departments, acting in an organized manner, could facilitate the 
accomplishment of business common to all and generally carry it on 
more economically than if each had acted independently. 
Plan and scope of the Fish Commission exhibit . — The object of the ex- 
