49 
Replacement of the water supply system and plumbing repairs 
in the Conservatories and Laboratory Building (Park Department 
contract number, 132,292) was under way from July 31, and was 
completed November 22. The official contract time did not begin 
until August 31. The contractor for this work was Albert Miller, 
62 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, who was the lowest bidder. The 
amount of the appropriation was $5,222. The old iron water pipes 
were almost completely clogged up by deposits from the water. 
To avoid a repetition of this, they were replaced with brass pipes. 
Both of the above contracts were under the general supervision 
of the Department of Parks. 
Private Funds 
In the preceding report I stressed the fact that during 1938 
private citizens of Brooklyn contributed a total of more than 
$54,000 toward the work of the Garden, an amount equal to 
nearly 57 per cent. of the Tax Budget appropriation—a testimony 
to public interest in the Garden and confidence in its administration. 
During 1939 Private Funds income, exclusive of interest on 
endowment, was $52,279.28—a total almost equal to that of 1938, 
and 54 per cent. of the 1939 Tax Budget appropriation. This is 
a substantial sum, considering the times—mounting taxes, myriads 
of good causes annually soliciting and meriting contributions, and 
diminished income, especially on invested funds. 
But we must not lose sight of the fact that, while annual at- 
tendance and the demand of the public for service increase, our 
Private Funds Budget for 1939 ($100,664.14) is still $28,658 less 
than the Private Funds Budget of $129,322 just ten years ago 
(1929). It does not need any statement beyond the figures to 
emphasize what this falling off of more than 22 per cent. means 
in curtailment of activities, and how far we have to go on the 
road to recovery. 
Endowment 
The total amount of the principal of all endowment funds as 
of December 31, 1939, was $1,374,388.35, which represents an 
increase of $5,996.65 over the preceding year. The increases were 
