20 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



together so closely. It is now more true than ever that if another 

 museum building as large as the present one were provided, it could 

 be at once filled with specimens already on hand. 



In my estimates to Congress I have frequently dwelt upon the need 

 of larger appropriations for the preservation of the collections, but 

 regret to say that no substantial increase has yet been made. Indeed, 

 the amount recently appropriated for the coming year (1895-96) is 

 nearly $2,000 less than for 1892, although the accessions since that 

 time have already amounted to more than 375,000 specimens. In my 

 estimates for 1897, recently submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

 I placed stress upon the fact that the purchase of collections is now 

 essential for the completion of large and important series, the deficien- 

 cies in which can not be supplied in any other way. • Valuable collec- 

 tions which should by all means be acquired by the United States for 

 its National Museum are every year passing beyond our control, and 

 American students will be compelled more than in the past to pursue 

 their researches in the museums of foreign countries. 



I desire to repeat that an unduly large proportion of the curators 

 are not compensated for their services from the Museum appropriation. 

 This is not as it should be, although without larger appropriations it is 

 impossible to make any additions to the salaried staff. Many on the 

 clerical force, too, who have by long training become valuable, are 

 paid at tates considerably less than for similar services in the Execu- 

 tive Departments, and it is difficult to keep the force in effective condi- 

 tion on this account. 



The resources of the Museum have been taxed to the utmost to pro- 

 vide cases for the collections, but the amount appropriated is altogether 

 inadequate. The sum of $10,000 which was allowed for the present 

 year (1895) is not sufficient for the construction of new cases and for 

 repairing old ones. I am therefore about to submit an estimate of 

 $30,000 for the year 1897. It not unfrequently happens that valuable 

 collections are offered to the Museum on condition that suitable cases 

 be provided. This seems a fair requirement, but it is one which unfor- 

 tunately the Museum is not always in a position to meet. 



With a view to adding to the area available for the display of collec- 

 tions, I included in my estimates for this year (1895) an item of $8,000 

 for the erection of two galleries, one in the southwest court, and 

 another in the southeast range. Galleries were provided for in the 

 original plans for the Museum building, and can be supported so as 

 not to detract from the appearance of the halls or to interfere with the 

 present system of installation. No appropriation, however, was made. 

 The same amount was included for this purpose in the estimates for 

 1896, but was again refused. I shall repeat the recommendation in my 

 estimates for 1897. 



By the provisions of the new printing bill, as interpreted by the Pub- 

 lic Printer, the editions of the Proceedings and Bulletins of the Museum 



