Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-04
Tbe National Museum,

Al American National Museum worthy the
name Is a certainty. The necessary collections
were already on hand and Congress has now
authorized the erection OF suitable building.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars are ap-
prOpriated TO build fire proof structure three
hundred feet square. on the southeastern part
or the Smithsonian grounds. The work is to
be done under the direction and supervision OF
the regents of the Smithsonian Institution. who
~ their last meeting, In anticipation of the a.
tiOn OF Congress. authorized the executive COM
mittee-CIen. Sherman, Mr.. Peter Parker aud
Prot. Maclean. together with the secretary
Prof. Baird-tO act as a commission represent
Ing the regents in case this duty was imposed
upon them 1t is also provided that the build
ing shall De erected In accordance with plans
now on file with the joint committee on public
buildings and grounds. No portion OF the
money appropriated is 70 be expended for
architectural plans. There VIII. consequently.
be 80 great competition among the archi-
fectS. The new building is 10 stand TO the
east Of the Smithsonian Institution. leaving
roadway between IL and the latter OF not less
than nifty feet, with its north front on a line
with the south face Of the buildings OF the
Agricultural department and the Smithsonian
institution. 1t Will be seen prominently from
the city looking down Ninth street as the
Smithsonian Institution catches the eve from
appropriation is available. aid it is expected
that the building, which viii cover two and a
quarter acres. Will b. completed within a year.
The plans I'm accordance with whose require
nlentS the appropriation WAS fixed and which
almost without doubt, will be adopted contem-
plate one-Story building. OF brick, iron and
glass. with concrete floor. Every precaut0n
Is taken 10 guard against fire, dampneSs mould,
rust ard destructive yeTmin. There are especiaI
devices for showing the exhibits 10 the best
advantage. While glass area corresponding
20 ohe-nIhth or noof space is considered ample
ana smaller proportion has given satisfaction
at some OF the great exhibitions. there are to be
1860 feet Of glass in the new building. or about
ohe-seventh Of the floor space SO much for
The building. The collections available are
worthy OF the handsome structure to he nro
Nided Tor them. There are three times more
specimens stored away in the Smithsonian
Dulidlng than there is room TO exhibit Con-
slant ADDITIONS are made. The Armory build
ing Is packed With four thOJIs md boxes and
there are other specimens in PHILADELPHIA ready
I" De sent when provision is made for their re-
Cepttcn. Many OF the state exhibits aud the
corrections or every important foreign govern
Heht eNhlDltlng at the centennial exposition
50 lar as they relate TO the animal, vegetable
ana mineral Kingdoms and their applications
some cases without any exception whatever.
IN others, all except a few duplicates which
were presented TO other foreign commissions or
10 Institutions In the United States. Moreover
promises have been made by most OF the for
eign commissioners TO complete any portion
illustrating the natural products and Industries
OF their respective countries when the arrange
ment or the collections reveals the def
cheney. Not only what is useful and
Instructive. but what Is curious and
costly has been given US. Five OF the pieces
donated are valued at forty-eight thousand dol
lars Siam, China and Japan contribute speci-
mems estimated at hundred thousand dollars
in value. Minton tiles and MOSacS and eastern
bronzeS, silks. and bambOO-ware are found
among the representations OF the natural pro-
ducts. general industries and educational and
scientific methods OF all nations that constitute
the mass OF the exhibits. The collections are
among the finest in the world. When the de-
sign OF the National Museum is fully Carried
out, IL viii be not only an ornament to the city,
but the centre OF a wide-spreading educational
influence and the just occasion OF national
pride