72 REPORT OF NATrONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



From the reports of the superintendent are quoted the following- 

 statements, which will serve to show in part the character of the work 

 accomplished by the laboring force during the year: 



1889. 



July. — The steam pipes under the south hall were covered with magnesia covering. 

 A raised platform was put in the office of the engineer of property. One extra radi- 

 ator was placed in the stationery room and also in the property clerk's office. A 

 raised iloor was added to the stationery room. The mechanics were engaged during 

 the month in painting 572 blocks, easing 105 trays, painting 299 trays, making and 

 fitting 34 shelves, and putting in 82 lights of glass. Besides this work, a great deal 

 of miscellaneous jobs, covering 49 orders, was executed. 



August. — Double-acting base doors were hung at the entrance to the northwest 

 pavilion. A sewer pipe was put in the animal house. The north side of the natu- 

 ral-history laboratory building was bricked up, and anew roof put on. The hollow 

 brick partition was removed from the second floor of the northwest pavilion. A 

 private stairway was built, leading from the first to the second lloor of the Assistant 

 Secretary's apartments. The mechanics were kept busy fitting 13 shelves, painting 

 675 blocks, easing 221 trays, altering 95 locks, and putting in 75 lights of glass. In 

 addition to this, 55 miscellaneous orders wore filled. 



September. — New frames, jams, etc., were made for the large doors at the west en- 

 trance. Two wire screens were made and put up in arches on the west balcony. 

 New storm doors were made and placed at the north entrance of the Smithsonian 

 building. The mechanics were employed in fitting 281 trays, painting and ebonizing 

 64 blocks, repairing and altering 117 locks, putting in 173 lights of glass. In addi- 

 tion to this work, 69 miscellaneous orders were filled. 



October. — The mechanics were kept busy altering locks, making 259 blocks, paint- 

 ing 723 hlocks, putting in 179 lights of glass, and glazing cases. Numerous matters 

 of smaller iinpoi'tance were attended to. 



November. — Radiators were put in aud steam heat substituted for the stove in tho 

 label department on the north balcony. During this month the mechanics were em- 

 ployed in ebonizing 146 blocks, altering and repairing 89 locks, putting in 130 lights 

 of glass, making keys, and easing trays. In addition to this, 33 miscellaneous matters 

 were completed. 



December. — Steam pipes were attached from the basement to the third floor of the 

 northwest pavilion, and an extra radiator put in. The mechanics were employed in 

 easing 233 trays, ebonizing 374 blocks, making 25 blocks, tinning 102 sills and ledges, 

 putting in 159 lights of glass, making keys, aud repairing locks. Besides this work, 

 46 miscellaneous requisitions for work were attended to. 



1800. 



January. — The laborers were employed in removing cases, and cleaning and scour- 

 ing the lecture hall for the course of "Saturday lectures" given under the auspices 

 of the scientific societies of Washington. Gas pipes were run along the ceiliug in 

 the northwest aud southwest ranges, and fixtures attached. The north, south, east, 

 aud west halls, aud the east-north aud east-south ranges and northwest court were 

 lighted by electricity. 



February. — A heavy sarcophagus was removed from the west hall to the rotunda. 

 Water and gas connections were introduced into the paint shop. The cases in the 

 east and west halls were rearranged, necessitating the services of the greater part of 

 the laboring force. 



March. — The lloor was painted in the gentlemen's lavatory. Nine double Liver- 

 pool cases were set up in the main hall of the Smithsonian building for the use of the 

 Department of Mollusks. The front of a Haida house was removed from the Smith- 

 sonian bnildiugto the Museum, and hungon apierou the south sideof the west hall. 



April. — A new window was constructed on the third lloor of the northwest pavilion. 

 All locks not working by the regular master key were removed and replaced by the 

 standard lock. A break in one of the water-pipes of the Smithsonian building was 

 repaired. 



May. — The trenches and basements in both buildings were whitewashed. The 

 windows were fitted, where necessary, with new awuings. Numerous miscellaneous 

 jobs were completed by the mechanics. 



June. — The office room on the east side of the north gallery was cleaned and painted. 

 The room on the south side of the east balcony was prepared for occupation. The 

 water and gas-pipes, roofs and gutters were examined and repaired. The heating 

 apparatus, electric clocks, watch signal station, telephone batteries, etc., were 

 inspected. A duplex water filter was placed in the gentlemen's public comfort room. 



