314 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



on educational and scientific lines — maintain a library, a laboratory, 

 a small statf of biologists, give radio talks, supply small forms of 

 marine life to public schools, and issue publications relative to its 

 functions — the cost of maintenance would be much greater than 

 otherwise. The New York Aquarium, with much public service 

 of this character demanded of it, is maintained (1927) at a cost of 

 $65,228, nearly three-fourths of which is for personal service. No 

 other aquarium maintains such intimate relations with the people. 

 Some of its publications, sold at little more than their cost, have 

 passed through two or more editions. The number of employees 

 averages 28. It is open, free, every day in the year, and has an 

 annual attendance of about 2,000,000 persons. 



It will be seen readily that an aquarium that restricts its functions 

 to the maintenance of exhibits alone and its employees to caretakers 

 only can be operated at less cost than one undertaking additional 

 services to the public. 



