44 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



The area occupied by tlie buildings and iiiclosiires for animals in the 

 Park is not far from 40 acres. 



Work for the next fiscal year. — The limited amount appropriated by 

 Coug-ress will not permit a rapid development of the Park. Kearly 

 $30,000 of the sum allowed will be required for the feeding and care 

 of the animals and the maintenance of the necessary staif of employes. 

 Tlie remainder will be applied to carrying out the plans already de- 

 vised; that is to say, to completing the structures yet unfinished, 

 making secure the inclosures and building additional quarters where 

 necessary, in strengthening the banks of tlie ci-eek agaiust erosion, in 

 completing the ponds for aquatic animals, in extending somewhat the 

 water supply, sewerage, and drainage, and in grading and <lressing 

 the roads and slopes. 



Pl-ATE v.— House for Bison and Elk. 



There is an urgent need for a better structure for the elephants than 

 the temporary barn which was hastily erected for their accommodation 

 and which they have ever since occupied. It is calculated that a com- 

 plete building suitable for the accommodation of elephants and other 

 animals of the same general habits and needs would cost about $15,000. 

 Only a portion of this sum need be appropriated for the present, as the 

 house could be built upon a plan that admits of enlargement. 



Access to the 2Hirl:—T\ie. Rock Creek Bail way Company intend, as I 

 understand, to carry a branch of their road directly to the Ontario 

 avenue entrance to the park and to transfer passengers from all the 

 city street-car lines without extra charge. In that case there is no 

 doubt that the number of visitors will be greatly increased. The widen- 

 ing and improvement of Quarry road and the extension of Kenesaw 



