68 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
Finally, it came to pass that the Board of Estimate and the 
Board of Aldermen did really increase by 10 per cent. the pay of 
18,448 city employees; but our own force was penalized by being 
left out in the cold! 
In view of the high character of our working force, its es- 
prit de corps, its efficiency and its high standing with the pub- 
lic, the treatment it received on the occasion described was a 
stunning blow. During the past two years, the cost of living 
has increased from 31 to 37 per cent., and the pay of our men 
has, with but trifling exceptions, remained absolutely stationary. 
That such a force should be so treated was not only dishearten- 
ing, but positively demoralizing. The situation as it stood meant 
for the families of scores of our men actual privations by depri- 
vation of such prime necessaries of life as food, clothing and 
medicine. 
In this emergency, an appeal was made to the Board of 
Managers of the Zoological Society, for a subscription fund of 
$11,600 with which to give to each Park employee, during the 
year 1917 only, a monthly gift or bonus in cash amounting to 
10 per cent. on all salaries under $1,300 per year. It was stipu- 
lated that if done, this action would carry no promise for any 
future year, for the simple reason that the Society could not be 
expected to repeat this effort. 
The response of the Board of Managers was prompt and 
generous. At the annual meeting of the Board, this matter was 
given first consideration, as being the most important business. 
The sum required was subscribed by the Managers named in 
the following list: 
Hmerson MeMallimu(2096)) so soe $2,280 
Howard S.Harknesss su is eee 2,000 
Cleveland Hy Dod@ets So. s. eee 1,500 
Mortimer. sehiit (0%) 22 = = 4) 
Wim: Pierson dann tonite een 1,000 
Fe Ca GOnvVerser i ath Ihe oe ane 1,000 
Andrew Carnegie ......... Sat Ear = 1,000 
Ogden Mill S-eueante san water eet eee 1,000 
Granty Bio chil eya.wc <1 Rane e toetee sees 500 
$11,420 
The first payment from this fund, for the month of January, 
was made on the pay-day of February 2; and never was a sys- 
