THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 838 
the same as the previous year, notwithstanding the fact that the 
cost of operation was somewhat increased owing to the removal 
of the soda stand at this location, and the consequent necessity 
of maintaining a separate cashier for the riding animal business. 
Toward the close of the season the female elephant “Luna’’ 
was purchased from the Luna Park Company at Coney Island, 
with the intention of using her as a riding animal, but we discov- 
ered that she is so nervous and obstinate it was not considered 
wise to make any attempt to utilize her as a riding elephant. She 
will be used for exhibition only. 
Gate Reccipts—As the Park attendance increases on free days, 
a proportionate gain has been made in the receipts from admis- 
sions on pay days. The year 1908 was no exception in this par- 
ticular. Many visitors seemed to find it desirable to come to the 
Park on pay days, in order to see the collections without the an- 
noyance of encountering the crowds present on other days. 
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING. 
George M. Beerbower, Civil Engineer. 
Our Engineer’s most important work during 1908 was the 
constant and at times continuous inspection and superintendence 
of the erection of the steel fences and gates of the ten large yards 
surrounding the Elephant House. The plans and specifications 
for this work were made by Mr. Beerbower in 1907, and on them 
a contract was let to the McHarg-Barton Construction Company 
at $13,700. The contract provided for the erection of the fences 
and all copings underneath them, as well as for their manufac- 
ture. To resist the attacks of adult elephants the gates and fences 
required to be built to withstand blows or pressure of at least 
5,000 pounds delivered at their weakest point. This, of course, 
calls for very strong steel posts, set deeply in solid concrete, and 
connected by horizontal rails of steel so heavy that no elephant 
can bend them. To run such heavy fences over very uneven 
ground, and secure a result that is sufficiently strong and at the 
same time not positively offensive to the eye, is a very difficult 
task. 
The work of setting the posts, and constructing the concrete 
copings, proved to be very vexatious. By the McHarg-Barton 
Company all this work was let to a sub-contractor. In order to 
secure honest and correct work from dishonest and tricky labor- 
ers who sought by every possible means to make improper, worth- 
less work pass as “good,” Mr. Beerbower was obliged to watch 
