14 
western part of the State. The southern and middle sections of the 
State are supplied from the rescued fish taken along the Illinois River 
and held at the Havana retaining station. 
The work of rescuing the fish from these back waters is done by 
the warden branch of the service. Some work is done in the early sum- 
mer when the water recedes. In favorable seasons the work may be 
continued until well into the fall. 
In some states a special appropriation is made for rescue work. But 
owing to the Illinois plan of organization this work can be done by the 
warden force at such times as the wardens are not otherwise busily 
engaged. 
More than a year ago this commission took up with you the ques- 
tion of promoting a fish hatchery and public aquarium on the lake front 
at Chicago. In accordance with your directions the commission put in 
operation a plan for bringing about the desired results. The aquarium 
would properly come within the jurisdiction of the park commission. 
All this commission could do was to promote an interest in the subject, 
znd by such means as were proper, use the prestige of the department 
to further the project. After consider cable publicity had been given the 
matter by this department a meeting was called by the Aquarium 
Society of Chicago, at which many prominent men and women inter- 
ested in the subject were present. At the time of this meeting an 
aquarium exhibit was going on in Chicago. ‘To this exhibit the depart- 
ment made a showing of the native fishes of Illinois. The exhibit was so 
well patronized that it was apparent the people of Chicago favored a 
permanent exhibit of this kind. At the meeting already referred to, a 
committee was appointed to take charge of the matter. Since that time 
a favorable report has been made, indicating that a number of public 
spirited citizens of Chicago would build the aquarium and turn it over 
to the South Park Commission. There is no doubt at this time but 
what a splendid aquarium will be located in Grant Park in the near 
future. 
So far as this department is concerned, a public aquarium is of 
course outside its jurisdiction, but the department, nevertheless has an 
interest in such an exhibit. For one thing it tends to acquaint the 
public with the character of our native fishes, and moreover, it arouses 
a general interest in fish and the important relation they bear to the 
question of the food supply of the State. 
Should a good public aquarium be built and maintained by the park 
“commission, this department would feel in duty bound to give its hearty 
cooperation, to the end that the aquarium would always be well stocked 
with the native fishes under our control. 
This commission is more vitally interested in a fish hatchery, to be 
erected close to the aquarium and operated so that it will be a public 
attraction as well as a utility plant. Such a hatchery will greatly in- 
crease the value of the aquarium in that it will of itself attract many 
people interested in fish and fish culture, who will at the same time 
visit the aquarium. Besides, a fish hatchery operated in connection with 
an aquarium will serve the aquarium in a great many ways, and at the 
same time reap some benefits itself. 
