ZOOLOGICAL PARK COMMISSION 



5 



by the act of Congress which called it into existence, and, the title to 

 the lands it has purchased will be vested in the United States. Pend- 

 ing the completion of the condemnation proceedings now in progress, 

 and the submission of a final report, it is extremely desirable that Con- 

 gress should enact further legislation in regard to the park. The Com- 

 mission has no authority to put up fences aud lay out roads or grounds, 

 or to erect buildings, nor is it even certain that it has the right to ac- 

 cept donations. The park is declared by Congress to be "for the ad- 

 vancement of science and the iustructiou and recrea tion of the people." 

 In the construction of ponds and lakes, and the erection of inclosures 

 and buildings for the purposes of zoological science, a stage will soon be 

 reached where scientific direction seems obviously desirable ; and it is 

 respectfully represented to Congress that any means for laying out and 

 improving the grounds can be most advantageously used in view of the 

 purpose of Congress as to the ultimate disposition of the park now when 

 the foundations of its future usefulness are being laid.* If the very 

 considerable collection of living animals now in the custody of the 

 Smithsonian Institution is to form the nucleus of the zoological park 

 collection its transfer should be effected by legislative enactment and 

 suitable measures taken for its maintenance. The Commission is of 

 the opinion that the collection referred to should, with the consent of 

 the regents of the Institution, be transferred to the zoological park as 

 soon as possible after the Government takes full possession of the site. 



John W. Noble, 

 Secretary of the Interior, 

 J. W. Douglass, 

 Prest. Board Com. Bis. Col., 

 S. P. Langley, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 

 Commissioners for the establishment of a Zoological 



Parle in the District of Columbia. 



Exhibit A. 



Office of the Commissioners of the Zoological Park, 



Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C, April 15, 1889. 



Sir : In accordance with an act of Congress approved March 2, 1889 (Public No. 

 113), for the establishment of a zoological park in the District of Columbia, the Com- 

 missioners created by this act, and charged with the duty of its fulfillment, give 

 notice that they have been " authorized and directed to make an inspection of the 

 country along Rock Creek, between Massachusetts avenue extended and where said 

 creek is crossed by the road leading west from Bright wood (commonly known as the 

 Military road), and to select from that district of country such a tract of land, of not 

 less than 100 acres, which shall include a section of the creek, as said Commission 

 shall deem to be suitable and appropriate for a zoological park." 



They further give notice that the act declares : 



" That the said Commission shall cause to be made a careful map of said zoological 

 park, showing the location, quantity and character of each parcel of private property 

 to be taken for such purpose, with the names of the respective owners inscribed 



* (Congressional Record, March 1, 1889, p. 2662.) Mr. Breckinridge. I append the 

 report of the Committee on Public Grounds that the record may show the exact object 

 in view.., There is absolute protection from jobbery in the fac that this is to be un- 

 der the supervision of the Smithsonian Institution. 



(P. 2663.) Mr. Dibble. We are proud of the Smithsonian, and the Smithsonian has 

 already, by gift, not by purchase, the nucleus of a collection, * * * and I am in- 

 formed by the Secretary of the Smithsonian that this place furnishes the right kind 

 of location * * * for the propagation and perpetuation of these rapidly disap- 

 pearing species of American animals, while at the same time it will serve the f urposes 

 of a public park. 



v 



