The custodian suggests the appointment of a finance committee for the purchase of carpets, linoleum and window shades, of which the custodian should be a member. He also suggests that the appropriations for carpets, linoleum, window shades, new drapery for the Governor's parlors, recovering lounges, revarnishing office furniture and interior woodwork, and for decorating the State Capitol should be made available not later than March 1, 1901.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

The committee would recommend that the several sums asked for by the custodian and for the several and specific purposes asked for be appropriated and be made available at the time asked for by the custodian.

ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT-NEEDS OF.

The engineer states that the needs of his department are as follows:

The committee declines to recommend the appropriation of $4,800 for an electric elevator, or the $300 increase for wages of engineer's assistants.

GENERAL REMARKS.

CREATING DEFICITS.

The committee feels it to be its duty to call attention to the pre7ailing custom among the institutions to create deficiencies in the appropriations made for them.

This custom is so general that the committee is of the opinion that in many instances the deficiency is the result of design on the part of institution managers.

Especially is this true in one instance where just prior to the appointment of this committee the managers of one institution without any authority whatever from any source took upon themselves the self-constituted authority to begin an improvement that will cost $5,000. The committee feels that such conduct merits its censure and condemnation.

INSURANCE.

There is no uniform rule among the institutions as to the insurance of the State's property. The committee finds that the sum of $13,436.08 was paid out for insurance in the last two years. The committee feels that there should be an established rule upon this subject. If a portion of the property is to be insured, why not insure all? Then the premiums on the insurance of all will be so large that the committee is inclined to the belief that the State can best carry its own risk. The committee finds that much of the insurance in force is carried in European and Canadian companies. The committee suggests that there are sufficient reliable companies in Indiana, and especially in the United States, for the insurance of State property.

ARCHITECTS' FEES.

For the two years ending October 31, 1900, the sum of $16,170.62 was paid for architects' fees.

The committee finds it to be a fact that at the institutions where the largest per cent. was paid for architects' fees the State received