REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 35 



The highest salary was $110, the lowest $30. The wages of car- 

 penters, painters, and laborers were the same as paid for work of like 

 nature in other departments of the Government, the average per indi- 

 vidual on this rcll being $57.63. 



The mechanics have been kept busy with the varied work of the Mu- 

 seum. When necessary to have cases of new design or of peculiar 

 form made, it has often been found economy of both time and means, 

 sometimes even with working drawings, to have a sample prepared in 

 the Museum shop before finally awarding the contract. Our men have 

 remodeled numerous old cases, and have built many new ones, as shown 

 by the accompanying list. 



The following cases, screens, etc., were made in the Museum shop 

 between June 30, 1886, and July 1, 1887 : 



2 stationary screens with sliding doors. 



2 large stationary screens. 



4 poplar screens, between arches. 

 24 pine screens, between arches. 

 18 pedestals. 



4 pyramids, pedestals. 



4 gun-racks. 



8 oak frames. 

 16 pine shelves and bases. 



8 wall cases, remodeled. 



2 storage cases, remodeled. 



2 white-pine cases, remodeled. 



10 mahogany alcove ca^es. 



4 mahogany pillar cases. 



4 glass screen, sloping cases. 



1 glass case, special form. 



1 ebonized case, special form. 



4 unit cases. 



4 white-pine standard book-cases. 

 13 walnut bases. 



7 pine bases. 

 1 water-tight base. 



1 sample wall bracket. 



2 diaphragms. 



8 oak settees. 



The appropriation for heating, lighting, and electrical and telephonic 

 service w^as $11,000. 



Out of this sum there was expended for fuel, $2,923.87; for heating, 

 supplies, and repairs, $852.58; for gas, $811.78; rental of telephones, 

 $766.69; electric works and supplies, $748.42; rental of call-boxes, 

 $ 120; salary of telephone clerk and telegraph operator, $1,080; wages 

 of engineer and firemen, $3,678.12 ; leaving an unexpended balance of 

 $18.54. 



The methods described at length in report of 1885-'86 for purchasing 

 supplies for the Museum have been followed, and have generally proved 

 satisfactory. It is thought that by means of a few slight changes, which 

 experience has suggested, still greater perfection in business methods 

 may be attained. 



Little has been accomplished towards the completion of the back 

 records mentioned in the report of last year, for the entire time of the 

 limited number of employes of the department of Property aud Sup- 

 plies has been taken up with necessary current work. 



Correspondence and Reports. 



The scope of the work of this department, under the charge of Mr. 

 E. I. Geare, executive clerk, has been greatly enlarged during the year, 

 owing to the fact that all letters bearing upon the work of the Museum 



