Appendix 4. 

 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ending 

 June 30. 1917: 



There was allowed by Congress in the sundry civil bill the sum of 

 $100,000 for all expenses, except printing and binding, for which 

 $200 additional was granted. 



The continued increase from year to year in the cost of nearly all 

 supplies used at the park has so greatly enlarged the bills for 

 maintenance expenses that very little could be done this year in the 

 way of permanent improvements on buildings and grounds. The 

 collections have, nevertheless, been kept in excellent condition and 

 at nearly the normal numbers, though much-needed repairs and 

 alterations, for the comfort and safety of the public, or to improve 

 housing conditions of animals, could not be made. The number of 

 specimens is slightly below that for a number of years, but the actual 

 value and scientific importance of the collection is probably as great 

 as at any time in the history of the park. 



In October, 1916, Dr. Frank Baker, for 26 years the superin- 

 tendent, tendered his resignation to take effect November 1. To quote 

 from an editorial in the Washington Times of October 6, entitled 

 " The Loss of Dr. Baker " : 



The resignation of Dr. Frank Baker as superintendent of the National 

 Zoological Park marks the close of 26 years of valuable service in that 

 capacity. 



A reading of the reports of the Smithsonian Institution shows how much 

 the Zoo here has developed under Dr. Baker, until it now possesses one of the 

 most varied and interesting collections of animals of any such institution in 

 the country. 



The average citizen does not bother much about zoos except as a form of 

 Sunday afternoon entertainment for children. But the educational value of the 

 parks is becoming more generally recognized. School children of Washington 

 are now sent to the Zoo to observe the animals, and they can learn and assimi- 

 late much more there in a few visits than they could accumulate in weeks of 

 studying geographies. 



As a professor of anatomy for 33 years at Georgetown University, as presi- 

 dent of the National Association of Anatomists, and as an active member of 

 half a dozen other scientific bodies. Dr. Baker has also attained note outside 



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