1488 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
with the Comptroller of the Treasury, signed the requisitions in a form which was 
satisfactory to the latter. - 
All these circumstances and others being present to the minds of the Regents at — 
their late meeting on the 28th of January, 1891, they passed the following resolution: 
‘Whereas by an act of Congress of April 30, 1890, the National Zoological Park 
is placed under the direction of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution— 
“‘ Resolved, That the action fof the executive committee, during the recess of the 
Board, in authorizing the Secretary of the Institution to act for and in the name of 
the Regents in all matters pertaining to the ‘ National Zoological Park,’ is hereby 
approved, and that the Regents authorize and, direct the Secretary of the Institution 
to sign in their name all requisitions on the United States Treasury for the money 
appropriated by Congress for the National Zoological Park, and to approve for pay- 
ment by the disbursing officer of the Smithsonian Institution all bills for services and 
supplies for said park.”’ 
What is above written as to the presumed intention of the Regents in passing this 
resolution I have given as my own opinion, but having consulted with the two 
members of the executive committee who are residents of the capital, and therefore 
within reach, they authorized me further to say that they concur in the opinions 
expressed above, and that they consider that what has been done in the matter of 
making requisitions upon the appropriation for the support of the Zoological Park is 
in accordance with the general policy of the Board in its administration of the 
Smithsonian Institution and of other matters committed to it by Congress. 
I am, sir, yours, very respectfully, 
S. P. Lane.ey, Secretary. 
Hon. A. C. MATTHEWs, 
First Comptroller of the Treasury Department. 
Referred to Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Depart- 
ment. 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK—ESTIMATES. 
December 1, 1890—House. 
Estimates for 1892. 
For continuing the construction of roads, walks, bridges, water sup- 
ply, sewerage, and drainage, and for grading, planting, and otherwise 
improving the grounds of the National Zoological Park, including 
salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $29,500. 
For erecting and repairing buildings and inclosures for animals, and 
for administrative purposes, in the National Zoological Park, including 
salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $36,850. 
For care, subsistence, and transportation of animals for the National 
Zoological Park, and for the purchase of rare specimens not otherwise 
obtainable, including salaries or compensation of all necessary em- 
ployees, and general incidental expenses not otherwise provided for, 
$35,000. , 
EXPLANATION IN LETTER FROM SECRETARY OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 5S. P. 
LANGLEY, OCTOBER 20, 1890. 
In submitting estimates for the National Zoological Park, I wish to say that it has 
not been deemed advisable to provide at the present time for the considerable 
expense which would be involved in the immediate opening to the public of the 
whole area of 167 acres purchased by Congress. 
‘ —" - fel 
