Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-22
The Smithsonian Institution Building.
Az AUTHORIZATION NEEDED TO MAKE TH8 EAST
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Az APPROPRIATION NEEDED TO MAKE TIE EAST
WING FIRE PROOF.
By direction OF the board of regents OF the
smi thsOBian Institution, Congress has been asked
TO appropriate $4,000 TO make the east wing of the
building FIRE proof Professor Baird in his letter
TO Speaker Keller transmitting the resolution OF
the board or regents in reference TO the matter
says:
SIT VIII be remembered that in January 1865,
IRE occurred IN the Smithsonian building, which
destroyer large portion Of the main edifice, with
its adjacent towers, and a very large amount OF
building Vas restored with fire1pro6f materials;
but the east wing. composed entirely OF wood and
plaster, ana which had escaped INJURY, remains in
Its previous dangerous condition Originally
lectuTc-rOOTa. Ii was ntt"d ups, many
years ago with apartments for the resi-
dence of the late SecTTtiTy and his family.
This application of the wing, however, was dis
continued after Prof. Henrys death; but the
rooms thus set apart are entirely unSuited to the
operations of the establishment, and, while In
every way Objectionable, the tinbeTS have de-
cayed. and no arrangements are provided for
proper lighting, heating and ventilation. The
main building and western extension are occupied
by the C0lsCt1OnS of the government; the east
wing embraces the Offices OF the secretary, chief
clerk, corresponding clerk and registrar and also
accommodations for the extensive operations OF
the department OF international exchanges, the
dement's OF which accrue not only principally 70
the library Of Congress but To all the public
libraries AMI scientific societies throughout the
United St1tcS. The rooms are filled with the
chiyes. hl'-S Of correspondence, original scientific
manuscriptS, vouchers, the stock OF government
ana smithsonian publications for diSJri
button at home and abroad, &C.; and
their destruction by fire, to which
they are constantly exposed, would be greatly
detrimental To the interests of the government
and the general public In addition to this,
extensive IRE in the east wing would endanger
and possibly destroy the main portion of the
smithsonian building, the upper and lower halls
OF which contain rare specimens belonging to the
government, and most OF which could not be re-
placed. Congress-haS recognized the importance
and proprety OF gradually demonstrating the
interior OF the Smithsonian building, in fre-proOf
materials, by making appropriations for the pur-
pos, at various times between 1870 and 1875: and
the last Congress, in 1879, appropriated 5000 for
providing addition security against fire in the
smithsonian builiing-' Ii is now proposed To
remodel the interior of the east wing, SO that,
without disturbing its present architectural style,
the internal capacity Will be doubled by
arrangement OF floors, partitions and roofs and
all the rooms be adapted TO the efficient proSecu-
ton OF the work OF the Institution and the vari-
Gus interests intrusted 10 its management by Con
gresS- nGlOied beg TO send copy OF the report
OF the Do1ri Of fire inspectors appointed by the
District Commissioners upoa the condition OF the
Smithsonian building. have the honor TO ask, in
the name and on behalf OF the board of regents
that the following appropriation be made at the
present session or Congress, viz: For continuing
and completing the fre-proofing OF the Smith
sOnfdn Institution, &50,OOO."