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Messrs. Biele & Sons Company.

the Superintendent of the Museum says in his report that according to the drawing 35-1/8 inches should be the correct height, there is nothing in the correspondence entered into between you and Mr. Freer to substantiate this fact. In your letter to Mr. Freer, dated August 2nd, you say: "Regarding the height - we understand you wish 36 inches from floor to top of show case at back." In Mr. Freer's reply thereto, dated August 4th, he says: "Concerning the height, I quite agree with you that 3 feet looks rather low x x x x x I think it wise to leave the height of the makimono cases at 3 feet." Therefore, I take it that all of the show cases were to be 3 feet high at the back as there is no specific mention in the correspondence which would lead me to believe that Mr. Freer wished the 16 inches wide show cases lower at the back than the 18 inches show cases. When all of the makimono cases, as built now, are lined up together and their backs placed snugly against the wall, they will form an uneven wall line. On the other hand, if they are placed in a line so that the fronts of the 18 inches wide cases come in a straight line with the fronts of the 16 inches wide cases, there would be a vacant space of 2 inches between the wall and the backs of the 16 inches wide cases.

After you have looked over the report of the Superintendent of the National Museum, enclosed herein, I would be glad to hear from you.

Yours truly,
(Signed) George W. Alger

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