REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21 



I repeat, to make my meaning quite clear, that the most urgent need 

 of the Museum is the provision of an adequate fund for the adminis 

 trative work, both in the handling of affairs and in the arranging of 

 collections. 



The appropriation for cases and other fixtures was $30,000 and for 

 heating and lighting the Museum building $14,000. The purchase of 

 books required for the technical library and the use of visitors in the 

 exhibition halls, which has up to the present time been made from the 

 appropriation for the preservation of collections, will hereafter be pro- 

 vided for specifically by a separate item, under which Congress has 

 allotted the sum of $2,000 for the ensuing year. 



The sum of $4,000 was allowed for repairs to buildings, shops, and 

 sheds, and an item of $2,500 for the removal and rebuilding of the two 

 sheds adjacent to the south side of the Smithsonian building. The 

 latter, which have been a source of menace to the main building, were 

 torn down and reconstructed in other and more suitable locations. 



The Museum building not being provided with a basement, it has 

 been necessary to rent temporary quarters elsewhere for workshops and 

 for the storage of surplus specimens, and the furniture used for exposi- 

 tion purposes. These structures are not fireproof, and in the interest 

 of tbe safety of the Government property I therefore included in my 

 estimates for 1898-99 an item of $50,000 for the construction of a suit- 

 able building, 50 feet by 150 feet, and provided with a basement, which 

 should take the place of the various buildings and sheds already alluded 

 to. I suggested a site between the National Museum and the Army 

 Medical Museum buildings. I regret to say that this item was not 

 allowed, but in place thereof the amount appropriated for renting pur- 

 poses was increased from $2,000 (allowed for 1897-98) to $4,500 for the 

 year 1898-99. This will enable me to secure additional quarters for 

 immediate needs. 



In 1897 and again in 1898 Congress appropriated $8,000 for erecting 

 galleries in the Museum building. This amount was sufficient for the 

 erection of seven galleries. An additional allowance of $10,000 has 

 also been granted by Congress for furnishing railings, painting the 

 galleries, connecting them with those in adjoining hall, placing a sky- 

 light in each court, and providing a ventilator in one of the ranges. 



I am pleased to report that the full amount asked for printing and 

 binding ($17,000) has been allotted, which will enable me to push for- 

 ward the publication of several important manuscripts, the printing of 

 which has long been withheld for lack of funds. 



The expenditure of a sum not exceeding $5,500 from the "Preserva- 

 tion of collections" appropriation was authorized for the preparation 

 of drawings for the illustration of Museum publications. 



For the purchase of the private library of the late Dr. Goode the sum 

 of $5,000 was appropriated by Congress. This library is a very valu- 

 able one, formed with rare discrimination and intelligence, and com- 



