1 2 Report of the President. 



General Account. — Upon this account, as stated above, the 

 regular development of the collections of the Museum and the 

 extension of its scientific work are largely dependent. Con- 

 tributions to this fund are especially desired. 



During the year 1906 the total income of this account has 

 been $74,771.17. The interest on the Permanent Endowment 

 Fund amounted to $47,880; Life Membership fees totaled 

 $1,400, and $14,710 were received from Annual Members. 



Endowment and Investment Account. — Very frequently friends 

 of the Museum, through their own interest in some particular 

 collection or subject, contribute funds for advancing such 

 work. These sums are carried in the Endowment and Invest- 

 ment Account, which is composed almost wholly of funds for 

 special purposes. 



The contributions in this account have been very generous, 

 the total receipts amounting to $67,608.68, a sum more than 

 three times as great as that received last year. 



Building Operations. — The contract for the construction 

 of the south section of the West Facade, namely, the first 

 construction on Columbus Avenue, was awarded to Messrs. 

 Guidone & Galardi for $325,000. Ground was broken for the 

 new wing on May 25, 1906, and the work has progressed satis- 

 factorily. Unless unforeseen obstacles arise, the building 

 should be completed in contract time. 



The installation of fire lines and sprinkler systems (made 

 by Gerstle & Company under the appropriation of $500,000 in 

 1905) has finally been completed, and the building is now sup- 

 plied with adequate fire preventing and fire fighting appliances. 



By special permission of the City authorities, the Museum 

 has been allowed to pay its carpenters, masons, painters, etc., 

 who have been engaged on new construction, out of the building 

 appropriation. Under this arrangement a large number of 

 new exhibition cases, storage drawers and rooms have been 

 constructed. 



In the north basement a large amount of rock has been ex- 

 cavated, thereby bringing the floor of the basement through- 



