everything that relates to the primitive inhabitants of North America, Eskimo as well as Indian, these collections are by far the richest in the world, and with the necessary amount of exhibition space the material on hand will be arranged in a manner which will produce the most impressive and magnificent effect, the educational importance of which can not be overestimated. Again there are collections of considerable extent which illustrate the processes and products of the various arts and industries, as well as what are termed the historical collections, which are of especial interest to a very large number of the visitors to the Museum on account of the associations of the objects exhibited with the personal history of representative men, or with important events in the history of America.

The collections illustrating the arts and the art industries are relatively small, and, although in themselves of great interest and value, not to be compared in importance with those in natural history and ethnology.

In a letter addressed on June 7, 1888, to the Hon. Justin S. Morrill, and which will be found in a report of June 12 of the same year from the Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, I made a statement of the rapidity of the recent growth of the Museum, mentioning that in the five years from 1882 to 1887 the number of specimens in the collection have multiplied no less than sixteen times, and endeavored to give an idea, though perhaps an inadequate one, of the extent to which the pressure for want of space was felt. The evil has grown rapidly worse, and, as I have had occasion to mention, it has been felt in the last year in a partial arrest of the growth of the collections, which emphasizes the demand for more room. The present Museum building is not large enough even for the natural history collections alone, a number of which are without any exhibition space whatever. The proposed building will afford accommodations for the ethnological and technological material already on hand, and for a large part of the natural history material also.

The collections are still increasing, and the number of specimens, as estimated, is now not far from 3,000,000. The appended table (A) shows the annual increase since 1882. The increase during the last year was comparatively small. This may be accounted for by the fact that our exhibition halls and storage rooms being filled to their utmost capacity, it has seemed necessary to cease in a large degree the customary efforts for the increase of the Museum.

Unless more space is soon provided the development of the Government collections will of necessity be almost completely arrested.

So long as there was room for storage, collections not immediately required could be received and packed away for future use. This can not longer be done.

The Armory building, since 1877 assigned to the Museum for storage and workshops, is now entirely occupied by the U. S. Fish Commission, with the exception of four rooms, and by some of the Museum taxidermists, who are now working in very contracted space, and whom it is impossible to accommodate elsewhere.

Increased space in the exhibition halls is needed, the educational value of the collections being seriously diminished by the present crowded system of installation. Still more necessary, however, is room for storage, for rearranging the great reserve collections, for eliminating duplicate material for distribution to college and school museums, and for the use of the taxidermists and preparators engaged in preparing objects for exhibition. Space is also required for the proper handling of the costly outfit of the museum cases and appliances for installation, of which there is always a considerable amount temporarily out of use or in process of construction.

The appended table (B) shows the amount of floor space now assigned to the various collections and the amount required for the proper display of material already in hand, making a reasonable allowance for the expansion during the three years which would probably pass before a new building could be completed and provided with necessary cases.

H. Doc. 732- -83

The appended table (C) shows the number of feet of floor space (the average height being 10 feet) required for laboratories, workshops, and for the several departments. This is in addition to storage space under the cases in the exhibition halls, and a considerable portion may be in cellars and attics.

In summarizing what has just been said, it may be stated in general terms that the amount of space already required for exhibition purposes alone, being (Table B) 207,500 feet as against 100,675 now occupied, and this being exclusive of the (Table C) 108,900 square feet needed for other objects, the accumulations have now reached such a point of congestion that the actual space needs to be doubled, even independently of future increase; and I beg to repeat that, unless more space is provided, the development of the Government collection, which is already partly arrested, will be almost completely stopped.

Your obedient servant,

Hon. LELAND STANFORD,

S. P. LANGLEY, Secretary.

e Professor Riley's collection numbers 150,000 specimens. ƒ Exclusive of Professor Ward's collection.

g No entries of material received during the year have been made on catalogue. Duplicates not included.

TABLE A.-Annual increase in the collections Continued.

The bill (S. 2740) was considered as in Committee of the Whole. Mr. J. S. MORRILL. I desire to say a single word. Unless this building shall be authorized the collections by the Museum will have to be arrested. There is a very large accumulation already for which there is no place for exhibition or even for storage. The number of specimens in the Museum in 1882 was only 193,000. They had accumulated in 1888 to 2,863,000, and there are over 3,000,000 at the present time. There is an absolute necessity that this building should be put up at once.

Passed.

April 9, 1890-House.

S. 2740 referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.

June 24, 1890-Senate.

Mr. J. S. MORRILL, from Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, reported an amendment to be proposed to sundry civil bill for 1891 (H. 10884).

Same as S. 2740.

Referred to Committee on Appropriations.

1See February 19, 1890-Senate.

June 25, 1890-House.

Mr. CHARLES O'NEILL presented memorial:

To the Honorable House of Representatives, etc..

This memorial of the Philadelphia Board of Trade respectfully represents: That the National Museum at Washington, D. C., with its valuable collection of specimens affords educational advantages of incalculable value to the nation;

That the Government should make every effort to foster and encourage the further accumulation of such material as will mark historically the growth and progress of our country;

That ample provision should be made for the care, exhibition, and safe-keeping of these accumulated treasures; therefore

Your memorialist, the Philadelphia Board of Trade, earnestly petitions your honorable body to pass Senate bill No. 2740, entitled "A bill to provide for the erection of an additional fireproof building for the National Museum." And your memorialist will ever pray, etc. [SEAL.]

Attest:

J. P. TUCKER, Secretary.

PHILADELPHIA, June 16, 1890.

FRED. FRALEY,

President Philadelphia Board of Trade.

Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.

July 19, 1890-Senate.

Sundry civil bill for 1891 under consideration:

Mr. J. S. MORRILL. From the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds I desire to offer an amendment.

Mr. W. B. ALLISON. What is it for-a new building?

Mr. MORRILL. It is for the Museum building.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment will be stated.

The CHIEF CLERK. On page 32, after line 20, it is proposed to insert:

[Same as offered by Mr. Morrill June 24, 1890.]

Mr. MORRILL. The National Museum was established by the late Professor Baird, and I think all will admit that it has been a wonderful success. At the present time the need of this building is manifest from the fact that all the places of storage on the part of the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum are occupied, so that they are compelled to reject many offers that are made for additions thereto. This measure has passed the Senate once or twice, and I think there would be no opposition to it, if it could reach a vote, in the other House.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment offered by the Senator from Vermont [Mr. Morrill].

Mr. ALLISON. I am not quite sure that the amendment is in order. I will ask the Senator from Vermont if provision has been made by bill in any way for this building?

Mr. MORRILL. It has been, and was referred to the Committee on Appropriations long ago.