Appendix 4. 

 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ending June 

 30, 1917: 



There was allowed by Congress in the sundry civil bill the sum of 

 $100,000 for all expenses, except printing and binding, for which 

 $200 additional was granted. 



The continued increase from year to year in the cost of nearly all 

 supplies used at the park has so gi'eatly enlarged the bills for main- 

 tenance expenses that very little could be done this year in the way 

 of permanent improvements on buildings and grounds. The collec- 

 tions have, nevertheless, been kept in excellent condition and at nearly 

 the normal numbers, though much-needed repairs and alterations, for 

 the comfort and safety of the public, or to improve housing conditions 

 of animals, could not be made. The number of specimens is slightly 

 below that for a number of years, but the actual value and scientific 

 importance of the collection is probably as great as at any time in the 

 history of the park. 



In October, 1916, Dr. Frank Baker, for 26 years the superintend- 

 ent, tendered his resignation to take effect November 1. To quote 

 from an editorial in the Washington Times of October 6, entitled 

 ^'Thelossof Dr. Baker": 



The resignation of Dr. Frank Baker as superintendent of the National 

 Zoological Park marks the close of 26 ye^rs of valuable service in that capacity. 



A reading of the reports of the Smithsonian Institution shows how much the 

 Zoo here has developed under Doctor Baker, until it now possesses one of the 

 most varied and interesting collections of animals of any such institution in 

 the country. 



The average citizen does not bother much about zoos except as a form of 

 Sunday afternoon entertainment for children. But the educational value of the 

 parks is becoming more generally recognized. School children of Washington 

 are now sent to the Zoo to observe the animals, and they can learn and assimi- 

 late much more there in a few visits than they could accumulate in weeks of 

 studying geographies. 



As a professor of anatomy for 33 years at Georgetown University, as presi- 

 dent of the National Association of Anatomists, and as an active member of 

 half a dozen other scientific bodies, Doctor Baker has also attained note outside 

 his work at the Zoo. His capacity for work is suggested in the calm announce- 



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