in one person who at times needed an assistant and at other times, notably on pay days, was greatly in need of occupation and able to take care of the cuts and do other clerical work of a similar character. In a museum of moderate size it should be possible to combine the office of cloak-room boy and information clerk and ticket, catalogue and postcard seller to advantage, with the possibility that on certain occasions it might be necessary to give some assistance while on other days the boy in charge would be perfectly capable of running the addressograph machine, stamping and sealing envelopes, or helping in other ways in addition to his regular duties. In this event, the care of the telephone would be in the hands of a clerk who would be occupied in copying articles or reports or other work which did not require her absence from the telephone desk.
The question arises whether the cloak room should be free or not. It is very difficult to control any dishonesty in this department. We have all been annoyed by being told in museums that the cloak-room charge was "whatever you please." Most museums pay a very low salary, $8-$10 per week for this position, and there is absolutely no chance for advancement. The consequence is, that only a very young or very stupid boy who is willing to undertake something temporary,
