Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-16

The defence OF the robbery Of the Distric,
taxpayers to purchase and maintain collec-
ton OF wild animals, the property of the ma
ton, Is based upon three statements all of
which are false. These are. first that the Dis
trict people asked and worked for q menagerie
for the edifica.ion Of the local juvenile popula-
ton, second. that they secured the menagcrie,
and. third. that having secured it, they are try
ing to escape the payment of their Just share
of the expense. They have not asked for a
local ZOO" or worked for any kind of a
ZOO. They have not secured local zoo"
and no part Of the expense incurred
or to be incurred is Justly due from them. The
popular movement for the national park is con-
fused Notwithstanding repeated corrections
with the effort Of Mr.. HorHaday and the Smith
sonian Institution to enlarge the accommoda-
tions for and numbers of the government
scientific collection Of wild animals which
we're confined at the time in the Smithsonian
grounds. The city did ask and work for the
purchase by the government of the ROCK Creek
valley in order that this picturesque region
might be secured while the ground was rea-
sonably cheap, and be preserved as park
that it might become the most beautiful
ornament Of the capital Of the worlds greatest
nation, and also in order that for the
health Of the city Rock creek might be pro-
tected in its course through the District as
pure and sparkling stream and not be permitted
through settlement to its very edge to become
an open sewer. Whether the tax payers of the
District by acquiescing in and approving this
noble acquisition, which would not be feasible
il longer delayed. have rendered themselves
liable to pay more toward the national park
f.av n I,pv Of .;t -
United States elsewhere in the republic and
should even be required to pay an amount
equal to that contributed BY all the other
sixty-two millions combined. docs not need to be
discussed in this connection. The local iax-
payer may have TO run a risk 30 far as the
national park is concerned, but in connection
with the zoo" he has not exposed himself to
any risk He distinctly repudiates all special
interest N tie government monkeys. hyenas
and kangaroos. The only urgency in the estab-
hshment Of n national 200 is found in the
fact that national types Of animals which the
scientists wish to preserve are fast becoming
extinct This consideration has no weight
whatever with the District taxpayer in the
present condition Of the District finances and
the Districts material needs. He requires
more and better streets, sewers. pavements,
sidewalks. schools, police, water, light fire-pro-
lection, ETC.. and in the 200" proposition the
government takes him by the throat and SAYS:
Hand over $4,000 from your current reye-
nues for the promotion Of general science and
the purchase and maintenance of assorted wild
animals II is easy to test who is interested
in securing the mennserie and who should pay
for it. The animals are not yet purchased
The money for this year is not yet appropriated.
II the menagerie is to be bought for the graft
ication of the District delay the purchase until
the District indicates that the fitting
time has arrived The House commit
tee on appropriations indicates that the govern
ment estimates Of what will be needed for the
maintenance of the ZOO" have been cut down by
ii one-half. So far az the District is concerned
the item may be cut out altogether. 1t should
be distinctly understood that the District does
not ask for and will not voluntarily pay for q
single beast, bird or fish. 1t utterly repudiates
the ZOO as local concern. 1t can hardly
make both ends meet financially in the matter
OF its current material needs. If the govern
ment merely because it has the power. exacts
from the Districts poverty $50 600 for the ZOO
this year, with the promise of requiring $780,
900 next year, and an increasing amount in
years to come. its action is no more justifable
than that Of the highwayman who empties his
victims pockets at the muzzle of the pistol.