40 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



As Aquarium specimens are never to be found in the live 

 animal market, any interruption of field work necessarily results 

 in decreased exhibits. The Aquarium has been provided with a 

 well-smack for use in the neighboring waters for field work. 



ALTERATIONS TO AQUARIUM. 



Owing to the financial stringency due to the war and to the 

 approaching debt limit of New York City, the Society did not 

 urge on the administration the alterations needed in order to 

 provide more exhibition space and administration room, the cost 

 of which had been estimated before the war at about $100,000. 



However, the Committee asked that repairs be made to the 

 roof now in a very leaky and dangerous condition and this work 

 is now under way. 



COAL. 



The Society was fortunate in securing a sufficient supply of 

 coal for the Park during the severe winter of 1918. The coal 

 situation at the Aquarium was critical several times owing to our 

 lack of storage facilities. A new coal-bunker, however, has been 

 erected and filled, thus providing the Aquarium with a reasonable 

 amount of reserve supply in case of another coal shortage. 



MAINTENANCE. 



Par/;.— The sum of $207,586 provided by the City for the 

 maintenance of the Zoological Park in 1918 was scarcely adequate 

 for the proper maintenance of the Park owing to the enormous 

 increase in the cost of supplies of all kinds and the need of a 

 small increase in the pay of our low-paid men. It was only by 

 the strictest economy that the year was closed without a deficit. 

 That this result was at all possible was entirely due to the energy, 

 hard work and loyalty of the officers and staff of the Zoological 

 Park. 



Aquarium. — The sum of $48,632.50 provided by the City 

 for the maintenance of the Aquarium was barely sufficient to 

 keep that institution open and its exhibits in proper condition 

 and to provide a small increase in salaries for the lowest paid 

 employees. 



