124 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



Of the 115 horses owned at the close of 1910, 105 were 

 bought from two firms — 69 from one and 36 from the other. All 

 horses sold during the last five years were sold at auction through 

 one of these same two firms. The prices paid, however, appear 

 to compare favorably with the prevailing market prices. During 

 the five-year period under review, they ranged from an average 

 of $220 in 1906 to $269 in 1910. That good horses were pur- 

 chased would appear to have been the case, as the records show 

 that only 11 died during the last five years, and they had been in 

 the service an average of four years ; also, from the fact that the 

 75 horses sold during that period had been in the park service an 

 average of six years, and sold for an average of 65 per cent, of 

 their original cost. The 11 horses sold in 1910, however, al- 

 thought they had been in the park service an equal length of time, 

 averaged only $107 each, or 55 per cent, of their cost. The 

 horses owned December 31, 1910, represented an original invest- 

 ment of $24,625. 



Accounting for Horses. 



The book record of horses owned by the South Park Board 

 dates back to 1871 and gives the date, price, age, weight, iden- 

 tification, and the vendor of horses purchased, also the date and 

 cause of death or sale, the price, and to whom sold. 



Foraging of Horses. 



Grain, hay, and bedding are purchased on both short-time 

 contracts and the open market. Shavings instead of straw are 

 used for bedding, at a considerable saving in expense. The cost 

 of foraging and bedding averaged $143 per horse during the 

 year 1910. 



Management of Stables. 



The superintendent of stables has a force of 12 stablemen, 

 36 drivers, and a foreman. The monthly stable expense is reduced 

 to a cost per horse hour, prorated over the different operating 

 accounts on the basis of hours' service rendered each and reported 

 to the central office. 



