ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 

 1903-1904 



To the Trustees of the Field Columbian Museum : 



I have the honor to present the report of the operations of the 

 Museum during the year ending September 30, 1904. 



Maintenance.— The cost of maintenance for the year amounted to 

 $110,000. The total amount expended for all purposes was $140,000, 

 being $5,000 less than the previous year. The difference between the 

 cost of maintenance and the actual amount expended is accounted for 

 by special appropriations for the purchase of collections, the outfitting 

 of expeditions, and the cost of publishing the different numbers in the 

 Museum series of publications. The latter item shows a considerable 

 increase over any previous year. The cost of heating and lighting 

 the building was also higher, owing mainly to an advance in the price 

 of the coal used, and the unusual severity of the winter months. The 

 building itself can be considered as being in good repair, yet the 

 overhanging cornices, which are rapidly decaying, occasion a certain 

 amount of anxiety, and will have to be removed in order to prevent 

 accidents. The roof of the building is in fairly satisfactory con- 

 dition, scarcely any leakages having occurred for some time. Some 

 important and necessary additions have been made to the steam 

 plant, bringing the plant up to a high state of efficiency. 



Lecture Courses. — The attendance at the course during the months 

 of October and November was very satisfactory, and a most interest- 

 ing series of lectures was given. 



Owing to certain strictures of the Building Commissioner, subse- 

 quent to the local disaster in December, it was thought advisable to 

 discontinue the use of the Museum Lecture Hall, hence the course 

 usually given in the spring was omitted. I am glad, however, to re- 

 port that the courses have now been resumed through an arrangement 

 with the authorities of the Art Institute, whereby it is possible to 

 obtain the use of Fullerton Hall for the afternoons on which the lec- 

 tures have usually been given. 



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