THE COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES = 431 
and other matters connected with the summer investiga- 
tions at various points of the coast, the Commissioner has 
been a loser to the amount of nearly $2000.00 a year. 
Since the completion of the Commission’s buildings at 
Wood’s Hole, the Commissioner has paid, out of his own 
private funds, all expenses of board of visitors to the 
station as well as of his own family; a sum amounting to 
$300.00 for the year 1885. 
In conclusion it may be stated that the Commissioner 
receives his entire pay from the Smithsonian Institution, 
which is not supported by the Government, and that 
consequently the Government pays nothing for his 
services either as United States Fish Commissioner or as 
Director of the National Museum. It may also be stated 
that, on several occasions when it was proposed to pay 
him a salary, he declined to entertain the proposition 
on the ground that it might impair his usefulness as 
Commissioner by creating a popular impression that he 
derived benefit from the appropriations made for its 
maintenance. 
The fact may well be emphasized that the clause pro- 
viding for noncompensation of the Commissioner was 
inserted at his own request; but that the increase in the 
duties and responsibilities of the post was due to the action 
of Congress, at the suggestion of an outside Association 
and not at that of the Commissioner. Some years ago 
the Commissioner feeling the burden of furnishing quar- 
ters to the Commission asked for an appropriation to pay 
for the renting of outside rooms or a building; but Mr. 
Holman, who was then the Chairman of the Committee 
on Appropriations, declined to entertain the proposition 
as he was opposed to anything that looked like fastening 
an additional bureau upon the Government. 
