REPORT UPON THE DIVISION OF FISHERIES. 361 



connection with the preparation, installation , and conduct of the ex- 

 hibit were absent from Washington on other duty (one of thein nearly 

 across the Continent and another at sea), and it was not practicable to 

 get the personnel all assigned until after June 20. 



Third. It has been necessary to prepare specially for this occasion 

 much of the material embraced in the exhibit. Several new features 

 have been introduced that were not included in previous exhibits made 

 by the Fish Commission. 



Because of the foregoing reasons I have had to give my personal at- 

 tention to details in the preparation and packing of the material, a duty 

 that has necessitated night and day work. 



Notwithstanding the many difficulties attending the assembling of 

 the material constituting the exhibit, and the very short time available 

 for getting it ready, it is gratifying to be able to record the fact that at 

 the close of the fiscal year the work is rapidly nearing completion, and 

 it is anticipated that the shipments will be made in three or four days, 

 about which time the personnel assigned to duty in connection with 

 the installation and conduct of the exhibit will leave Washington for 

 Cincinnati, with the exception of one or two, who will have to remain 

 to look after certain details that require additional attention. 



32. Detail of persons from the Division of Fisheries. — In the report 

 upon the exhibit made by the Commission at Cincinnati that will be 

 prepared in due time and to which reference is made, full details will 

 be given of the personnel. Here it is intended only to consider those 

 whose connection with the affair affected the work of the Division of 

 Fisheries. 



Three of the force of the division beside myself have been detailed to 

 assist in the preparation of the exhibit. These are Messrs. E. C. Bryan, 

 W. H. Abbott, and H. R. Center. It is scarcely necessary to remark 

 that the work of the division has suffered during the past month by 

 the assignment of so many persons from its limited number. Neverthe- 

 less, much was accomplished by the division, as has been stated in pre- 

 vious chapters of this report, though it is beyond question that the 

 work would now have been much farther advanced had it been prac- 

 ticable to keep the entire force engaged upon it. 



33. Arrangement for conducting statistical tvork, etc. — As has been 

 shown, the demands upon my time and attention in connection with the 

 preparation of the exhibit, and the fact that it will be necessary to 

 devote myself almost exclusively to affairs at the Exposition for some 

 months to come, renders it impracticable for me to retain more than a 

 general direction of the office work of my division, leaving the details in 

 the hands of another. Therefore, on June 3, Mr. Hugh M. Smith, who 

 has long been associated with the office, was placed in charge of the 

 statistical work, including compilation of reports, to act under my di- 

 rection. This arrangement has been very satisfactory, since it has thus 

 been possible for me to give more exclusive consideration to duties con- 

 nected with the Exposition. 



