Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/227

Rh pericnce and brains that he is hiring, the museum trustee, not understanding the exactions of the position, will offer his director a salary that he would not consider giving a man of similar ability in his private employ. This is accepted because the director has some private means or is so devoted to his work that he considers only the big possibilities for service in the new position. Next, not understanding the necessity for accurate work and specialized knowledge on the part of the director's stenographer, the sum of $40 to $60 per month is set aside to pay this salary. The director finds himself required to teach his assistant many things, such as style, set up, accuracy in the use of accents in quoting from foreign languages, and where to get information in regard to museum needs, and often has to put up with inferior shorthand and typewriting ability which is a handicap to him in his work. There is no one little thing that creates more enemies than a delay in replying to letters, and few laymen realize the quantities of mail that come every day to a museum. There are innumerable objects offered for sale which must in most cases be carefully investigated for fear there may be something of value lost to the museum by a too hasty refusal on the part of the director. Then there are many letters from artists who desire to arrange for