1348 _ CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
First. The Zoological Park Commission was not empowered by Congress to take 
any steps whatever toward the laying out and improvement of the park, or even to 
provide plans for the same, and its duties are already practically ended by the selec- 
tion and acquisition of a suitable site, as you will observe by: a copy of the Commis- 
sioner’s report, which I have the honor to inclose. 
Second. If it is still the intention of Congress to place the Zoological Park under 
the direction of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, some months of valuable 
time will be saved if legislation to that end is enacted now, in order that the very 
important work of preparing detailed plans, drawings, and specifications for build- 
ings, cages, yards, ponds, and other improvements may be begun at once. This work 
of preparation for the actual improvement of'the park can not begin until it is known 
where the duty ‘of scientific direction shall rest; and it must necessarily occupy sev- 
eral weeks, or even months, before the more important building operations can begin. 
Third. Owing to the nature of the ground an entrance road and a bridge across 
Rock Creek must be constructed before it will be practicable to haul in building 
materials and operate to good advantage. Owing to the length of time that must 
elapse during their construction, several months at least, it will readily be seen by 
the most casual observer that it is important this particular work should begin at the 
earliest possible moment. 
Fourth. It will be a great misfortune if it becomes necessary to delay all work in 
connection with the improvement of the park until July 1, for the reason that it will 
be almost an impossibility to plan and execute the more important improvements 
during the remainder of the year’s building season. And yet the collection of living 
animals at the Smithsonian Institution is suffering for the commodious and healthful 
quarters which can be prepared for them in the Zoological Park before the beginning 
of another winter, if work can be commenced without the loss of more than half this 
year’s working season. 
Fifth. Special urgency is asked by reason of the fact that it now seems probable 
that a great World’s Fair will be held somewhere in the United States during the 
year 1892, which will be attended by hundreds of thousands of intelligent’ people 
from abroad, nearly all of whom will be certain to visit the city of Washington and 
the National Zoological Park. It is extremely desirable that by that time the park 
should be in presentable condition and its improvement and collections so far ad- 
vanced as to do credit to this great nation. 
I could add numerous other reasons why steady progress in this is desirable, but it 
surely is unnecessary. It is of course to be clearly understood that the money 
appropriated by this bill is intended to meet all the wants of the park up to July 1, 
1891. It is expected that within a month from this date, or less, the Government 
will take full and absolute possession of the park site. 
Yours, very respectfully, 
S. P. LANGLEY, 
Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 
Hon. Sera L. MILirKen, 
Chairman Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 
Committed to the Committee of the Whole. 
March 3, 1890—House. 
The Speaker (Mr. T. B. Reep). The Chair desires to lay before the 
House a proposed correction of reference. An act (S. 2284) ‘‘ for the 
organization,. improvement, and maintenance of the National Zoolog- 
a Park,” peter red to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds 
and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
the Union, should have been referred to the Committee on Appropria- 
