118 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1953 



Easter Sunday and Monday. Because of the shortage of help, clean- 

 up work has of necessity been reduced to a minimum, with the result 

 that the Zoo has been criticized by correspondents and the press for 

 the condition of the grounds. Two permanent additional laborers are 

 needed for proper maintenance, removal of broken or fallen tree 

 limbs and other safety hazards, and repair of walks, guard rails, and 

 other structures, for the protection of the public. 



In addition, temporary manpower is needed to suppleuient the regu- 

 lar personnel at certain times of the year. These periods are during 

 the summer, when vegetation is growing vigorously and nmst be kept 

 under control, and when the greatest number of visitors are coming 

 to the Park with a corresponding increase in trash left on the grounds ; 

 and in the fall and early winter, when leaf removal is necessary to keep 

 the fire hazard at a minimum and prevent leaves from clogging drains. 

 Also, additional help is needed during the summer, when certain con- 

 struction and repair work can be carried on more advantageously than 

 at other times. 



By employing men temporarily when actually needed to handle the 

 peak workloads, work can be performed satisfactorily at considerably 

 less cost than by increasing the permanent personnel. For several 

 years this was done but the practice had to be abandoned during the 

 past year as available funds had to be used to absorb the salary in- 

 creases authorized by Congress, to pay for accumulated annual leave 

 of retiring employees, and contribute to Federal social security for 

 indefinite employees. For employment of temporary help an addi- 

 tional appropriation of $9,000 is needed, to be allotted as follows : 



Mechanical department $5, 000 



Grounds department 3, 000 



Police department 1, 000 



Also, $1,000 is needed for the Zoo's contribution to the cost of social 

 security for employees not under civil service. 



There is need for a veterinarian to assist the animal department in 

 selecting suitable foods, presenting foods to the animals in a satisfac- 

 tory manner, practicing preventive medicine, and performing autopsies 

 to determine causes of death. 



The steadily increasing popularity of the Zoo, as a source of both 

 entertainment and education, has developed such a volume of requests 

 for information that there is now need for an additional scientist to 

 share the load of answering queries and to assist in other administra- 

 tive work so that the Director and Assistant Director can devote more 

 time to general supervision of the Zoo. 



To comply with the requirements of keeping property and inventory 

 records, in accordance with the program laid down by the General 

 Services Administration, by authority of Federal Property and Ad- 



