360 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



J. — Participation in the Centennial Exposition of the Ohio 

 Valley and Central States. 



The participation of the Commission in the exposition to be held at 

 Cincinnati during the early part of the coming fiscal year deserves brief 

 mention here, for it has exerted a marked influence upon the work of 

 the Division of Fisheries since its establishment. This has been due to 

 the connection of myself and others of the personnel of the division 

 with the Fish Commission Exhibit, which, from the time of my appoint- 

 ment in charge of it, has occupied most of the time and attention of 

 those who have been detailed to this work. This would, perhaps, have 

 been less noticeable if my appointment in charge of the exhibit had not 

 been so nearly simultaneous with the organization of the Division of 

 Fisheries. 



On May 28, 18S8, a bill which was introduced early in the month be- 

 came a law and provided for the participation by the u several Execu- 

 tive Departments of the Government and the Bureau of Agriculture 

 and the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Museum and 

 Commission of Fish and Fisheries," in the Exposition of the Ohio Val- 

 ley and Central States, to be held at Cincinnati, Ohio. 



The provisions of the bill directed that the different Departments and 

 bureaus of the Government, as above mentioned, should u prepare and 

 make suitable exhibit at the said Centennial Exposition," and that the 

 head of each Department and bureau should appoint a person, from 

 among the officers or employes thereof, to act as representative to have 

 responsible charge of and to supervise the preparation and conduct of 

 such exhibit. 



In accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid act the Commis- 

 sioner, on June 2, 1888, designated me as the representative of the U. 

 S. Fish Commission to have the responsibility of the preparation, in- 

 stallation, and conduct of the exhibit, in addition to the ordinary duties 

 as chief of the Division of Fisheries. 



Although this action was taken as soon as practicable after the pas- 

 sage of the act making it necessary, the appointment was, neverthe- 

 less, made only about a month prior to the opening of the Exposition, 

 which is to take place on July 4. The time thus available for the pre- 

 paration of the exhibit of the Commission has therefore been entirely 

 insufficient. This inadequacy has been more noticeable, too, for vari- 

 ous important reasons. 



First. It was necessary at the outset, before the scope and charac- 

 acter of the exhibit could be definitely decided upon, that I should 

 visit the Exposition grounds and buildings at Cincinnati to obtain in- 

 formation regarding available space, probable location of our exhibit, 

 facilities for obtaining water for aquaria, etc. This caused a delay of 

 several days. 



Second. Several gentlemen whose services were specially needed in 



