REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 25 



reports, it became possible to bring up the arrears of work to which 

 1 called especial attention in my last report. 



The disbursements on account of the expenses of the exchange office 

 during the year amounted to $21,090.61, of which $16,997.99 were paid 

 from the appropriation of $17,000 by Congress; $4,092.62 were paid by 

 Government bureaus or private institutions, the balance at the close 

 of the fiscal year being held to meet outstanding obligations. 



That the exchange service is generously appreciated by its great 

 number of correspondents in this country, libraries, State and private 

 institutions, and individuals, I am well aware, but I am also aware that 

 with the resources at command it is not keeping pace with the growth 

 of the country and the reasonable expectation of its correspondents 

 for the prompt transportation that modern facilities warrant. The 

 improvements tliat are needed — more foreign agents in the pay of the 

 Institution, more frequent use of rapid transportation, more clerical 

 assistance in properly recording and accounting for packages intrusted 

 to the care of the service — can only be attained by securing from Con- 

 gress an increased appropriation. 



In view of the near approach to completion of the building for the 

 Library of Congress it would seem desirable that steps should be taken 

 to secure a more adequate return from foreign Governments for the 

 large number of publications of the United States sent abroad. How 

 much can be accomplished in this way that cannot be done by corre- 

 spondence I personally experienced in a visit made during the past year 

 in the interest of this Government exchange to the minister of public 

 instruction in Paris which will, it is hoped, result in securing a very 

 considerable increase in the number of documents received from the 

 French Government. 



THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



The appropriation made for this purpose for the service of the fiscal 

 year ending June 30, 1895, was in the following terms : 



National Zoological Park: For continuing the construction of roads, 

 walks, bridges, water supply, sewerage, and drainage; and for grading, 

 planting, and otherwise improving the grounds; erecting and repairing 

 buildings and inclosures for animals; and for administrative purposes, 

 care, subsistence, and transportation of animals, including salaries 

 or compensation of all necessary employees, and general incidental 

 expenses not otherwise provided for, fifty thousand dollars; one-half of 

 which sum shall be paid from the revenues of the District of Columbia 

 and the other half from the Treasury of the United States; and here- 

 after a report in detail of the expenses on account of the National 

 Zoological Park shall be made to Congress at the beginning of each 

 regular session. 



The appropriation was not made until August 18, 1894, when the 

 working season was already considerably advanced, and this led to 

 delay and uncertainty in the plans for the year, and owing to this and 



