ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  THE  DIRECTOR. 
1897-1898. 
To  the  Trustees  of  the  Field  Columbian  Museum : 
1  have  the  honor  to  present  a  report  of  the  operations  of  the 
Museum  for  the  year  closing  September  30,  1898.  The  same  uniform, 
steady,  and  systematic  work  that  was  in  progress  at  the  time  of  the 
last  report  has  been  maintained  during  the  past  twelve  months, 
marked  by  a  spirit  which  seems  to  pervade  the  institution,  always 
leading  to  a  higher  standard  of  strictly  scientific  treatment  and  an 
increasing  regard  for  popular  demand.  The  routine  of  the  Museum 
has  been  excellent,  and  the  general  method  of  operation  confirms  the 
wisdom  of  the  original  plans.  It  will  be  observed,  as  details  are 
presented,  that  the  claims  of  each  department  and  of  each  feature  of 
the  scope  of  the  Museum,  as  well  as  the  requirements  of  the  institu- 
tion as  a  whole,  have  had  consideration  and  have  received  a  proper 
share  of  attention.  The  concert  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  staff 
during  the  past  year  has  been  especially  gratifying  in  an  individual 
sense,  and  of  course  productive  of  much  benefit  collectively.  With- 
out in  the  least  abating  an  interest  in  original  research  and  in  special 
work  in  the  laboratories,  a  broader  policy  has  marked  each  depart- 
ment in  the  treatment  of  those  principles  of  Museum  work  that 
appeal  to  the  public  and  concern  the  great  mass  of  people  to  whose 
betterment  and  uplifting  institutions  of  this  character  are  dedicated. 
With  the  exception  that  in  nearly  all  departments  and  sections  the 
working  force  has  been  strengthened  as  the  necessities  of  each  case 
seemed  to  require,  there  have  been  no  changes  in  the  personnel  of 
the  staff.  It  is  fair  to  assume,  therefore,  that  its  members  enter 
upon  the  new  year  with  increased  capacity  to  meet  the  growing 
requirements  of  their  respective  stations,  and  with  added  interest  in 
and  devotion  to  the  work  assigned  to  each. 
Income  and  Maintenance. — The  annual  budget,  approved  by  the 
Executive  Committee,  provided  the  sum  of  $102,000  for  the  mainten- 
ance of  the  Museum  for  the  fiscal  year.  The  actual  amount  expended 
was  $88,020,  leaving  a  balance  within  the  anticipated  expenses  for 
the  year,  of  $13,980.    In  addition  to  the  cost  of  maintenance,  sums  were 
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