The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-04
Commissioner Mccartin.


 Commissioner Mccartin.
 The name of Street Commissioner Mo Cartin was suggested for keeper of the zoo and the idea was hailed with appro- bation. As Mr McCartin already has charge of the streets and parks he was believed to be just the man to place in charge of the zoo. A vote was taken and the boys pledged themselves to present the name of MT. McCartin to the board as the man best fitted to be in charge of their zoo. MT. McCartin was present and stated that he would accept the office.
 The business men of Birmingham are already beginning to realize the adver- Using value of the elephant with the result that the association is receiving many offers for space on the animals s back when he arrives in town. A letter from J. Black & Son was read yesterday, asking for permission to advertise on the elephant by means of a blanket or plac- ard, but action on this question was deferred by President Clabaugh to a later date. Several other advertising schemes were also submitted and a let ter from the New York Exclusive News was read, asking for pictures and other particulars of the zoo.
 Business Proposition.
 J. s. Mabry. president of the Southern Soap company of Birmingham. made a talk to the boys, offering to pay them half cent for all wrappers of Grand Duke" soap which they bring to his office. MT. Mabry also pledged the geological as- sociation his support and promised to give every boy who addresses the city council tonight the sum of $1 He will also give $5 each to the three boys col lecting the largest number of soap wrap pers before the time for purchasing the elephant arrives.
 Mrs Lois B. Tolley, principal of the Birmingham School of Expression, offer ed to cooperate with the boys by giving them half the proceeds of a cantata which will be given by 50 pupils of her school at the Jefferson theatre May 25, provided the boys sell 500 tickets. The entertainment will be on an elaborate scale and it is probable that the offer of Mrs. Tolley will be accepted although no definite action was taken yesterday. Mrs. Tolley also stated that she would contribute an alligator to the zoo. In order to prevent boys from collect Ing money presumably for the geological fund and putting it in their pockets the association decided to have a number of receipt blanks and cards printed and whenever a boy receives a contribution he will have to give a signed receipt to the donor. The cards will serve for an introduction. These blanks will be print ed today and will be distributed among the boys tonight when they come to the city council meeting.
 Colonel Mundys Talk.
 Colonel Mundy, the carnival man, had promised to make a talk to the boys about wild animals and they were not long in calling on him. Colonel Mundy told of his method in handling wild ami mals saying that he ruled them by kind ness instead of fear. He advised the boys to learn as their first lesson in zoology that all creatures must be treat ed kindly no matter how small or how insignificant they may be- While the boys were starting at the top in their proposal to buy an elephant instead Of some less expensive animal. he com mended the plan and said that a baby elephant about five feet high could be bought for about s12O0 There are now only four or five baby elephants in the country but he thought 1t would be pos sible to obtain one of these if the boys would get to work and raise the money as soon as possible. Elephants are greatly in demand, Colonel Mundy said, and someone is always waiting to snap them up as soon as they arrive in this country.
 Lions can be purchased for sums rang ing from S25O to $5OO0 and are very desir. able acquisitions for a zoo, although Col onel Mundy advised the boys to wait until they become older before trying to get acquainted with a lion. He thought that a fine Hon could be bought for s700. Next in the list Colonel Mundy said that the boys should buy camel but they should first decide whether they want camel with two humps or a camel with only one. as the two-humped species Is rather delicate and easily falls sick, while the camel with only one hump can stand lot of riding about without suf- fering any damage
 Col. Mundy also advised the boys to purchase some deer and elk, as both are cheap and easy to get. Good eiks can be bought for $25 each at the Pittsburg zoo and the horns of the males, which are shed every years. can be sold flor more n