1426 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
in his seat, and I should like to ask him just how many times this 
Board of Regents has met during the present session of Congress. — 
Mr. Bensamin ButrrERwortTH. Twice, I believe. 
Mr. Rogers. Were you present? 
Mr. Burrerwortu: No, sir; I was not. 
Mr. Roeers. Then I would like to find another witness. 
Mr. Burrerwortu. It just happened that when the meetings took 
place public engagements kept me away, but I have been so familiar 
with the management of the Institution that I can testify that no 
public institution in the country is run with more direct reference to 
economy, and I do not think that any one shows more for the money 
expended. My friend was acquainted with Professor Baird— 
Mr. Rocrrs. Not personally, but I had a very high regard for him. 
But, Mr: Chairman, this is a very important matter, and while I have 
given it a somewhat humorous turn I have something to say about it 
of a practical nature, and I regret exceedingly that I am not so well 
advised as to be able to speak more definitely. My friend from Ohio 
[Mr. Butterworth] says that he has not attended any of the meetings 
of the board during this session. I have no doubt that he had’the 
best of reasons for being absent, and I very much fear that the bal- 
ance of the board were in the same situation; that is, that they were 
not present. Mr. Chairman, I want to say now what others may 
have occasion to consider later, if they ever have occasion to pay 
attention to any remarks of mine, and I desire to say it in the shape 
of a prophecy 
Mr. Exisan A. Morse. Is Rogers also among the prophets ? 
Mr. Rogers. I desire to say that if some attention is not given to 
the expenditure of this money and the improvement and development 
of this park beyond the mere examination of reports and the mere 
calling of formal meetings, you are certain to drift into some great 
scandal. I do not mean corruption—not necessarily that, by any 
means—but some great public scandal growing out of the unwise and 
improper expenditure of the public money appropriated for this park. 
Mr. Harton. I suggest to the gentleman from Arkansas that the 
gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Wheeler] has just come in. 
Mr. Rogers. I am very glad that the gentleman is here. I under- 
stand that he is a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and I wish to ask him how many meetings that board has 
held clispige the present Congress? 
Mr. JosepH WHEELER, of Alabama. About three, I think. 
Mr. Rogers. Were you present at all of them? 
Mr. WHEE LER, of Alabama. I was present at all of them. 
Mr. Rocrrs. Then I would ask you what practical attention has 
been given by the Board of Regents to the dey sad ap and improve- 
ment of this zoological park? 
