REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 77 



to the grounds, as determined by count and estimate, was 1,593,227, 

 a daily average of 4,365. The greatest number in any one month was 

 202,793 in March, 1918, an average per day of 6,542. The attendance 

 by months was as follows: 



In 1917: July, 76,100; August, 157,700; September, 195,350; Octo- 

 ber, 175,350; November, 158,600; December, 70,350. In 1918: Janu- 

 ary, 35,850; February, 56,300; March, 202,793; April, 139,934; May, 

 187,300; June, 137,600. 



These numbers exceed the attendance records for last year by 486,- 

 427, and are 436,117 over the attendance for 1916 — the record year 

 up to that time. Heretofore there has usually been a falling off in 

 the number of visitors during the heat of summer; but, with the 

 population of Washington so increased by war workers, the attend- 

 ance throughout the past heated season has hardly diminished from 

 that of spring and autumn. 



The great increase in the number of visitors to the park in the 

 past three years is graphically shown in the following statement of 

 attendance records for the last 10 years : 



1909 564,639 



1910 721,555 



1911 521,440 



1912 542,738 



1913 633,526 



1914 733,277 



1915 794,530 



1916 1, 157, 110 



1917 1, 106, 800 



1918 ___. 1, 593, 227 



Seventy-eight schools and classes visited the park in 1918, with a 

 total of 4,945 individuals. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



Owing to a lack of sufficient funds for any substantial improve- 

 ments, only minor repairs or additions were made during the year 

 to the buildings and equipment of the park. New boiler tubes and 

 some other fittings in the central heating plant were provided at a 

 cost of about $800. The restaurant building was repaired, the kitchen 

 enlarged, and new counters provided. The old slippery and badly 

 worn pavement was removed from the large elephant house and was 

 replaced with a floor of concrete. The old and smaller elephant house 

 was fitted up for winter quarters for certain of the waterfowl. Much- 

 needed repairs were made to the lion-house roof, the western half of 

 the north extension and the adjoining portion of the main roof were 

 covered with new paroid-felt roofing, and a ventilator was placed in 

 the main building over the public space. Minor repairs were also 



93901—18 6 



