APPENDIX 7 
ANNUAL 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 ended June 
30, 1946: 
The appropriation for the regular operations of the Zoo was 
$310,000. A supplemental appropriation of $65,670 for salary in- 
creases authorized by Congress was also made available, making a 
total of $375,670. Subject to minor changes in final bills, a total of 
$359,453 was expended for all purposes and an unexpended balance 
of $16,217 remains. ‘his balance was due to the difficulty in filling 
vacant positions and in obtaining materials. 
Reconversion to a peacetime set-up is proving to be a slow process 
involving much effort in selecting, training, and orienting new em- 
ployees. However, substantial progress has been made in recruiting 
personnel, although a number of vacancies still exist including some 
in skilled positions which could not be quickly filled. The additional 
manpower taken on was largely offset by reduction in working hours 
from 48 to 44 or 40 hours a week. As rapidly as possible, all units of 
the organization are being put on the 40-hour week. 
The problem of obtaining materials such as building supplies and 
others used in the maintenance of structures has continued to be very 
difficult. Indeed, some supplies have been more difficult to obtain 
than they were during the wartime. It has nevertheless been possible 
to improve some of the structures in the Park and to do some clean-up 
work that had been neglected during the war. Therefore, by the close 
of the fiscal year there was a perceptible improvement in the general 
conditions throughout the entire establishment. 
NEEDS OF THE ZOO 
A small addition to the personnel is needed to enable the Zoo to carry 
on the work in an efficient manner and permit employees to take the 
leave to which they are legally entitled. The Zoo has been under- 
manned throughout the entire period of its existence, and with the 
adoption of the 40-hour week, the situation has been particularly acute. 
Of no less importance is the need for new buildings to replace anti- 
quated, dilapidated structures that are still used to house animals. 
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