24  Field  Columbian  Museum — Reports,  Vol.  i. 
• 
hundred  stationed  on  the  roof;  and  sixteen  barrels  of  water  located  on 
the  roof.  There  are  also  eight  hydrants  in  the  building  connected 
with  a  twelve-iuch  main  constructed  by  the  Museum  from  Stony 
Island  Avenue  to  the  Museum  building,  thus  giving  Hyde  Park  pres- 
sure within  the  building  at  all  times.  All  exposed  wood  work 
has  been  covered  with  fire-proof  paint, and  tests  made  satisfy  the  man- 
agement that  the  fire  risk  has  been  greatly  reduced  thereby.  An 
inspection  for  danger  is  made  not  only  throughout  the  building,  but 
on  the  roof  and  in  the  basement,  every  two  hours  from  six  o'clock 
in  the  morning  until  ten  o'clock  at  night.  During  the  year  gallery 
and  roof  traps  have  been  constructed  in  different  parts  of  the  build- 
ing, with  iron  ladders  leading  to  the  roof,  thus  increasing  the  facility 
for  reaching  the  remote  parts.  A  Fire  Alarm  system  is  in  operation  in 
the  building,  with  twelve  stations  for  alarm  boxes. 
The  Guard  is  divided  into  three  reliefs,  with  a  Sergeant 
in  charge  of  each.  The  Museum  is  provided  with  the  American 
Watchman's  Time  Detector  system,  and  indicating  boxes  are  rung 
by  the  guards  regularly  when  on  duty.  In  Higinbotham  Hall  the 
guard  rings  the  indicator  every  fifteen  minutes  at  night,  as  does  the 
guard  at  the  entrance  to  the  building.  This  hall  is  provided  with 
automatic  electrical  alarm  devices.  The  exterior  of  the  building  is 
patroled  by  a  guard  during  the  night. 
Lost  and  Found  Department. — A  lost  and  found  department 
is  conducted  in  connection  with  the  guards,  and  a  careful  record  kept 
of  anything' lost  or  found.  A  great  many  objects  and  articles,  and  in 
some  cases  sums  of  money,  purses,  etc.,  have  been  returned  to  their 
owners  through  its  agency. 
Roof  and  Basement. — Its  condition  has  been  such  that  it  has 
been  found  necessary  to  have  special  men  constantly  at  work  and  on 
guard  on  the  roof.  The  winter  of  1894-95  and  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer seasons  of  this  year  have  passed  without  any  material  damage  to 
the  interior  of  the  building,  from  the  roof.  Severe  storms  of  snow  and 
rain  and  wind  have  been  withstood  in  a  very  satisfactory,  not  to  say  sur- 
prising, manner.  The  extent  of  this  work  is  referred  to  in  more 
detail  elsewhere,  but  its  importance  will  be  realized  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  there  are  seven  acres  of  roof  and  five  acres  of  sky-light  to 
be  cared  for. 
Herewith  is  submitted  financial  statements,  analysis  of  attend- 
ance, lists  of  accessions,  names  of  members,  etc.,  etc. 
F.  J.  V.  SKIFF, 
Director. 
