New-York tribune., 1902-07-16
BUlnPUS ANSWERS CHARGES.
DIRECTOR OF THE NATURAL HISTORY
MUSEUM SILENT AS TO HIS
OWN SALARY

HeTmon c Bumpus director Of the American
Museum OF Natural History, has written a long
letter TO President FOrnes OF the Board OF Alder
men. answering the charges made by Alderman
Doull against the management of the institution
The letter was ordered printed and made a special
order for next week. when the museums applica-
tton for appropriation of S200000 will also BE-
disposed Of The letter was not read at the meet
ing yesterday II makes reference Alder
man DOulrs charge that Mr.. Buupus is drawing
three distinct salaries. aggregating $3.50 a month
for his services TO the museum. Mr.. Bumpus an
swers Alderman Doulrs specific objections as fol-
lows:
objection L That S35o,OOo has already been ap-
pr9priated for power plant
Parks was authorized to complete equip ana fur
Rish the east and west wings to erect elevators
ffnr rfggirsd ID. in R, the old bgdlngs and repair sad
boiler house % and ao TINS nrss anq taSn % erect
h Park Board the NaTT tB dStr6 ne RTsT9n 5aa & Ss
Cooperation Counsel. in advice with the trustees.
take nrscederC y rioi5 b oI SrS uhlnsns6 sou1
the new They acted wisely. and the money wss
s 0jso5o9 oS 5 TRe o. ,s STdinaaGs should .
reads. Section No. A.. anu "''' @S =
structiOn outside the present building il is COR
Objection 8, The trustees receive moneys from
the State Department of Public Instruction
They DO. but with the full consent of the munich
puoIic lectures The usefuiness Of these iecf>
ures extends not only to the city of New-YOr. but
Objection + The city is Illegally paying for ths
As already shown. the city is legally paying for
the reIatiVeIy s sma DHe o esnens ana
placed on exhibition with the enormous number
The specimens that the citv has assisted in pIss
ing on display are not one in a thousand OF ths
entire collection.
fs'2a aer That II @ 'ss s6s oosrs SEs1d a1 underpad
IL II mistake not the city OF New-York wants tho
stani as leaders OF tnelr subject ana who enjoy
than those Of men Of similar professional standing
o IN C9iqmols I'm CnigeTsity one OF the officers men,
salary during the last year gave over twice tbs
Partment and IS this . year Working daily Wiiho1 p
salary and contrioutins several thousand dollars
Objection g. That officers are lax in their at
To state that certain officers are here but few
days days each month nj and that fney q, are sxpsndn
curators are regular in their attendance their
duties ardGous CThe professor who is mentioned
as never in the museum 70 exceed ten days In a
his enthusiasm for bis work is so great that We
ing5 one curator especi9,iy engaged as an sI-
pert. gives half his time to the museum
the scientific staff Of the British Museum as ars
on The scientific stan Of the National Museum az
Objection :. An admission fee is charged on Mon-
orig5aI m S c5ntTaf b og amo OF tn b H & of - tns s
very small (between 500 and 500 month";. and Is
preparation for maintenance There good rea-
for the continuance OF this limitation. On
two days In the week il permits the removal OF
specimens from the cases for study. Those desfr-
ing study paw admission fee do thou
sands Of school children that are visiting this
museum under the instruction OF their teachers
The thrOngs that visit the institution free days
(mOre than .O10 in 190D would materially inter-
fere with the quiet that Is necessary for successful
class work But the museum is for the poor.
Every effort has been made to provide for their
comfort ] think the trustees would be glad to-
entertain application of YOUR hOuorable board
10 extend the number Of free days If You DESIRE
III
During the last year. while the city OF New-York
has contributed S1300N0 for the enlightrnent and
recreation of the public at the museum. the trus-
tees have purchased secured by gift collections
/ valued at four times that amount