Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-29

PARk-rHE APPROPRIATIONS REDUcED.
The annual report Of Prof S. T. Langley,
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Just
submitted to the regents of the institution,
says in relation to the National Geological
Park:
The primary object FOR which Congress was
asked to establish National Geological Park
was to secure the preservation of those Ameri-
car animals that are already nearly extinct.
and this object it was thought wouid be best
secured by the establishment of a large in
closure in which such animals could be kept in
seclusion nearly possible like that OF
their native haunts. Il was believed that, ex-
cept for initial expenses for buildings and roads
for the public. this could be done with an out
lay comparatively small, probably not exceed
ing s5O.OOO year. for. after the necessary
land was once acquired and fenced in, smaller
Enclosures and paddocks could be set oil and
inexpensive barns erected at about this yearly
charge.
1t was. in the nature Of things inevitable
that some provision should be mace for tine
convenience of "A curious and interested public,
well as fer the care anu well being OF ami
mails unaccustoIacd to the presence OF man.
For the first Of these 1t was intended to set
aside y considerable area, on which the prlncl-
pal buildings should be placed and 20 which
should DO taken. as Was expe1ient. such OF the
animals might interest tie public. the larger
portion Of the park being still considered as a
natural preserve -i!.r re animals need be dis
turbed by no unusual surroundings and where
il was hoped they might. after the time neces-
Eary for their acclina;ion. breed theif young.
The maintenance of park devoted to these
purposes, that is, primarily to useful and scien-
t.fic ends. and secondly to recreation, seemed
TO those Interested in its success legitimate
tax upon national resources, but when Con-
fress decided that onc-half Of the necessary
expense should be raised by local taxation it
seemed only fit that the taxpayers should be
heard in their wish to have prominence given
to tho feature that principally interested
them. and their chief interest was naturally in
the park rs a place of recreation. That this
was recognized by a considerable body III Con-
gress became evident from the subsequent de-
bates.
The moral right Of the people OF the District
TO ask consideration of their wishes Tor enter
tainmeEt in return for the outlay which falls
upon them cannot be questioned, and 20 far as
this could be recognized II introduced tend
ency to provide establishment mOIe Ike
an ordinary geological garden, or permanent
meEagerie than the comparatively inexpensive
scheme at first contemplated
THE APPROPRIATIONS.
In view of the circumstances an appropria-
ton was asked of Congress. which was believed
to be smaller than consistent with the
proper ultimate development of the park, but
most economical scale. Thus, for the general
maintenance of the collection, S15, coo was
asked, which is about the same the annual
sum spent in the Central Park neragerie. New
York, having an area of about ten acres, and at
least $4,000 less than is spent either at the
geological garden in Cincinnati or Phila-
delphia, each having an area OF about forty
acres When 1t Is reflected that these latter
enterprises are conducted for business pur-
poses by business men, that they have their
collections already nearly complete and pur-
chase but few new animals, il will be seen that
the sum asked for the maintenance of the To-
acres OF the National Geological. Park. with all
the expensive animals vet to be procured. was
certainly not extravasant Congress reduced
this estimate 20 SI7 800. sum for which, a
years experience has now shown, the park can
not be maintained
For buildings an appropriation OF $50. $50
was asked In this connection it may be
called thatin the Philadelphia gardens the build
ings and Enclosures cost Sl9i.1 U5- The sum
estimated was intended 10 cover all Enclosures
and structures of every character indispensable
on the modest scale proposed. Congress re-
6uced this to sis 0O0-
The average expense Of preparing such I'M
cultivated grounds In city parks elsewhere has
proved TO lie at least -, 500 per acre. The sum
OF S29, ECO was asked for that purpose. as no
mere than sufieien: to fl: such portions of the
park we-e necessary for the immediate ac
commodation Of the public. Congress reduced
this to Sl5,OOO.
These reductions have not only obliged me
to retard the development on thel lines that had
been laid down, DCt have increased the uti-
mate cost; for where living creatures are in
question il is plain that they have not only 10
be fed and guarded but to be housed, and all
this 1t orce, under penalty OF their loss. Con
gress las plainly intended that they should be
preserved, aud that some sort OF roads and
cess for the public shculd be provided this
year
The resuli has necessarily been that with
every effort TO obtain permanent results there
has been a partial expenditure of the abso-
luteiy insufficient grant on enforced expedents
OF n temporary character, which are not i'll the
interests Of economy.
1t Is extremely desirable tina: sum for
emergencies be secured in the next appropria-
ton In carrying forward from the beginning
novel and untried work Of such yaried char
scter. unforeseen difficulties mast inevitably
arise. but no provision has been made for
these, nor even for such readily anticipated
emergencies a. are caused for instance, by
Hoods IN grounds traye-sed by = stream which
has been known to rise six fee: IN less than
half an hour.
Tie difficulties which these conditions have
imposed on the administration of the park NAV
Re fairly called extreme and the amount and
character Of what has been effected must be
considered in this connection In spite Of
these the result, think, may be said to be
that at least as a source Of interest and amuse-
ment TO the people the park has exceeded the
most sangaine expectations.
TEE WORK OF THE YEAR.
AZ the available funds were small i: was
necessary to hmi: the area OF the park which
should be first improved 1t was found that
the animals On hanl could lie accommodated
within area Of forty acres ard q tract Of
about that size was selected. extending along
tie main drive from GARRY road 10 Connecticut
avenue through the most interesting port ton Of
the para This main road was l2ii ont, graded
and metsled early in the fiscal year, and steps
were taken to construct permanent bridge
oser Rock creek at the place where the road
should pass As was anticipated. the construc-
ron CT the bridge presented serious engineer
ing difficulties Rock creek is usually a quiet
shallow stream. bat becomes in times of freshet
apowerful torrent 1t was necessary to cree,
structure that would withstand these Hoods and
desirable that II should be orc which would no.
mar the beauty of the valley. After careful
consideration of severa. designs motives Of
economy compelled the erection OF q bridge
OF wood and iron. resting upon stone
piers fifteen feet above ordinary water level
sufficient as an engineering structure. bu. hav-
ing no clam TO beauty other than that of util-
ity. At the close of the year these piers had
teen erected and the superstructu-e contracted
for but not yet placed. In the meantime ten
porAry Expensive wooden bridges have been
IN use During the progress of the work they
have been several times swept away or seriously