REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 85 
between the present western boundary of the National Zoological Park and 
Connecticut Avenue from Cathedral Avenue to Klingle Road, $107,200, or such 
portion thereof as may be necessary, said land when acquired, together with the 
included highways, to be added to and become a part of the National Zoological 
Park. The proceedings for the condemnation of said land shall be instituted by 
the Secretary of the Treasury under and in accordance with the terms and 
provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 15 of the Code of Law for the District of 
Columbia. 
Under the sanction given by this act the attention of the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury was immediately called to the matter. A great 
delay has occurred. It is understood that a new survey of the prop- 
erty involved was necessary, that the searching of titles to the vari- 
ous parcels of land consumed considerable time. The case is now 
before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia awaiting the 
award of a jury. In the meantime the principal property owner 
has endeavored to enhance the value of the land by grading and 
otherwise improving it. The total amount to be purchased is about 
10% acres. 
ROCK CREEK MAIN INTERCEPTOR. 
The District of Columbia having obtained from Congress author- 
ity to construct a large sewer, called the “ Rock Creek main inter- 
ceptor,” extending from P Street northwest to the Military Road, 
District of Columbia, began work upon it within the limits of the 
park on June 1, 1913. The project involves both an open-cut sewer 
and a tunnel, about 2,000 feet in length, extending from a short dis- 
tance below the new bridge to the Klingle Road. This construction 
necessarily produces a considerable disturbance of the surface and 
defacement of the natural features of the park. This is particularly 
the case at either end of the tunnel, where thousands of yards of 
excavated material have been dumped. It is hoped that the District 
officials will be able to remedy this in some measure when the work 
shall be completed. This is expected about September 5, 1914. 
NEW APPROACH TO THE PARK. 
By an act of Congress approved March 2, 1911, there was author- 
ized a new approach to the park from Sixteenth Street and Colum- 
bia Road to what has been known as the Quarry Road entrance. 
This has now been completed by the District with a fine macadam 
roadway, and offers a most convenient and attractive route for reach- 
ing the park from the city. The Quarry Road, which had a very 
steep and dangerous gradient, has been abolished as a means of 
access. 
IMPORTANT NEEDS. 
Aviary—aAttention has been called for several years past to the 
importance of erecting a suitable house for the care and preserva- 
