1454 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
administration of a zoological park. I understand that it was the 
intention to build houses there for the animals, of cedar logs, all of 
one size, but that was found a little troublesome. They have built, I 
understand, a log house to put the buffaloes in, and now, after they 
have got it built, they are compelled to ceil it in order to protect the 
animals from the cold weather. 
I understand also there are houses to be built to protect the possums 
and the coons and other animals now confined in our national menag- 
erie. J would like to make a suggestion to these gentlemen based 
upon my knowledge of the habits of possums and coons, and that is, 
that if they can find a few hollow trees out there the animals will 
enjoy them better and will propagate a great deal faster than they 
will under the interference of the Government. Besides, sir, this park 
might well furnish a very valuable and a very much appreciated enter- 
tainment to a large class of citizens of the District of Columbia, by 
providing a possum and coon hunting ground where they could go, in 
the old-fashioned way, at night, and hunt the possums and coons. 
But, seriously, Mr. Speaker, if we are to have this park organized 
and established as Congress intended it, then let it be put under some 
competent administration; let it be put in the hands of some practical 
person or persons who will pay attention to what is being done there 
and see that it is properly and well done. I say again that I think 
Professor Langley is a very learned man, a man of wonderful scientific 
attainments, but I do not believe it always follows that a man of great 
learning or great scientific attainments is the most capable man for 
administrative duties. If that were true, the President of the United 
States, with his great learning, would make a better head to this nation 
than he does. I have never discovered that, with all his advantages 
and all his learning, he is an extraordinarily good administrative 
officer. 
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I make again the point which I have made 
before, and the only one that I have desired to make—that is, that the 
Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department should be 
discharged from the further consideration of the resolution, in order 
that we may get information as to whether or not this money has been 
expended in pursuance of law. . 
I believe that the administration of this trust is improperly vested, 
and I am satisfied that a full investigation of the matter will demon- 
strate this fact. The facts can do no injustice to any honest man. 
Then let us have the facts. 
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question recurs on the motion of 
the gentleman from Tennessee to discharge the Committee on Expend- 
itures in the Treasury Department from the further consideration of 
this resolution and to consider it in the House. 
The question was taken, and the SPEAKER pro tempore announced 
that the noes seemed to have it. 
