TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT 87 



Extensive repairs to the entire equipment went on through 

 the winter. A number of the oldest rowboats had to be destroyed, 

 and to replace them a carload of new boats was ordered for 

 delivery in the early spring. 



The new booth, the frame work of which was built last fall, 

 was completed early in the year and opened when the boating 

 season commenced. It proved to be a very much needed addition 

 to our facilities for handling the business on big days. 



The next extensive repair that must be made in connection 

 with this privilege is the construction of substantial steps lead- 

 ing from the docks to the Boat House. The wooden steps, built 

 when the building was erected in 1907, are in such bad condition 

 that further satisfactory repairs are difficult, if not altogether 

 out of the question. We urge the construction of permanent 

 steps of masonry to conform with the basement of the building. 

 Fortunately, stone left over at the time the dock was built is 

 close at hand and would greatly reduce the cost of this improve- 

 ment. 



Boat House Restaurant: — We again continued the practice 

 of closing the dining room during the winter and operating a 

 limited service in the lunch room without the expense of a full 

 kitchen force. While this method enabled us to reduce winter 

 losses to a minimum, the boating feature was again obliged to 

 absorb a considerable loss for the year. 



Soda Water: — This section of the privileges was beset with 

 somewhat more than the ordinary difficulties that have followed 

 it persistently now for five years. Prices were close to the top 

 throughout the greatest part of the season. For a time the 

 sugar shortage threatened disaster and a complete closing down, 

 but by strenuous efforts a sufficient supply was secured at high 

 prices. The excessive cost of this item alone reduced the net re- 

 sults to the extent of several thousand dollars. 



We have now reached the point where gradual replacement 

 of our soda fountain equipment must be carried on and we are 

 planning to make a completely new installation in the Tea House 

 at the beginning of the next season, to be followed by other new 

 outfits elsewhere another year. 



Guide Books : — All previous records for the sale of this pub- 

 lication were surpassed during the past year. For some years 

 our standard edition of 20,000 copies has been considered suffi- 



