SECRETARY'S REPORT 135 



stitutes of Health, and the veterinary section of the Armed Forces 

 Institute of Pathology. 



IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE 



The new building containing restrooms, headquarters for the police, 

 and office and storage space for the gardener, which was opened to 

 the public March 15, 1956, was designed by the Department of Build- 

 ings and Grounds of the Government of the District of Columbia in 

 accordance with provisions of law. The $197,000 appropriated for the 

 structure was carried in the District of Columbia Public Works Appro- 

 priation for 1955. With the small unexpended balance of the appro- 

 priation a driveway and a loading platform at the storeroom in the 

 basement of the building are to be constructed. 



The routine work of maintenance and construction, which is carried 

 on practically every day of the year, consists of such varied tasks as 

 the removal of stoppages from drains and sewers, repairs of faucets, 

 doors, cages, water lines, steam lines, boilers, refrigeration equipment, 

 buildings, roads, and walks, and innumerable miscellaneous jobs nec- 

 essary to keep the National Zoological Park in a safe and presentable 

 condition. The need for the exercise of great care in working around 

 animals requires that practically all this kind of work be done by the 

 Zoo's own specially trained workmen, who must not only perform 

 mechanical work but also cooperate with the keeper force so that 

 nothing is done that will injure the animals, the public, or themselves. 



All designing, construction, repair, and maintenance work done in 

 the Park during the year were performed by the Zoo's mechanical 

 department ; but because of inadequate funds this work was limited to 

 that most urgently needed. It has been impossible to keep pace with 

 the deterioration of the old structures that require extensive repairs, 

 and some of them have had to be abandoned. The mechanical shops 

 designed and built new metal skylights for several animal houses. Ex- 

 tensive repairs were necessary to some of the stone buildings con- 

 structed during WPA days about 20 years ago. 



Over a period of years there has been a gradual increase in the 

 amount of trimming of trees necessary along the roads, walks, and 

 paths, and in the exhibition area. Because of disease or age, some 

 of the trees are dying and must be cut down. Others must be trimmed 

 to remove dead or broken limbs that might fall and injure persons or 

 animals, or damage automobiles or structures. 



The job of cleaning up the grounds is a major undertaking. Using 

 all available manpower, it usually takes 5 to 10 days to pick up the 

 trash and restore the park to a fair degree of presentability after 

 Easter Sunday and Monday. This work has of necessity been reduced 

 to a minimum. The lawns, shrubs, and trees cannot be kept in as 



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