The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-24
SMITH RESENTS THE
CRITICISM OF zoo
Says Association Realizes
Need of Better Quarters
NO FUNDS AT. PRESENT
Says Those Who Are Kicking" Never
Contributed to Zoo and Would
Not if Called On--Bear-
Pit for Bruim
NO FUNDS AT.PRESENT

During the recent hot weather the at
tention of the Birmingham Geological as
sociation has been repeatedly called 10
the crowded condition of the animals
comprising the zoo at Avondale park. The
very small cage allotted to the black
bear that is one of the attractions of
the zoo. has been the subject of special
comment and not a little criticism has
been made of the association for falling
to provide better and larger quarters for
bruin.
However the bear will soon be pro-
vided with modern sanitary bear pit,
Commissioner Weatherly having author
ized the appropriation necessary for that
purpose. During the past few days
President Frank Smith of the zoo asso-
citation has received many kicks and
ventures the assertion that not one of the
"kiclers" ever contributed ! cent toward
the establishment of the zoo or to its
maintenance He states the association
is making strong efforts to raise suiii-
cient funds to build modern sanitary
carnivora building, and in the meantime
will take immediate steps TO enlarge the
present quarters.
Smiths Statement
In speaking of the matter Mr. smith
said:
although our zoo is not yet one year
old, yet we have a collection of wild water
fowls and animals that would be credit
to zoo several years old
I'VE have as fine collection of wild
waterfowl, which were donated to the
zoo through the efforts of Mr.. Frank
b. Fowll1es as can be found anywhere
in the south. And our animals are splen-
did specimens If we only had the fund.
with which to build proper buildings
and pens in which to exhibit them. If
some of our broad minded rich pub
lie spirited citizens would only donate
few thousand dollars to build car
nivora building in which to exhibit the
animals we already have, it would be
a few short months before we would
have a collection of animals and zoo
that would rival any in the south.
"Our association realizes as forcibly
as the public or those of the public
who are continually registering kicks
on account of the bad sanitary condi-
tions of the zoo, that we are badly in
need of a modern sanitary carnivora
building for our flesh eating animals.
and proper pens, cages and buildings
for our other animals and birds.
Tart Reference to "kickers"
"Of course, we don OF object to JUS
tifiabe kicks but | expect if the truth
were known, those who are standing
off kicking and criticising have never
contributed one cent toward remedyinS
the very things about which they are
kicking, and would not contribute any
thing if called upon to do so. However,
this does not apply to all of our Cit
izens, for some have contributed gen
erously and assisted us in other ways
very much.
For. we already have about rs charter
members of our. association; and this is
not counting the so prominent men who
contributed so generously toward the
fund raised by Mr.. Fowlkes for the wild
water fowl collection.
1.-The principal kick has been made
against the bear on account of it's con-
fnement in such small cage; but Mr..
Weatherly has already authorized an ex-
penditure sufficient to build a modern
sanitary bear pit, which when properly
built in some of the beautiful rocks at
Avondale park will give the bear as nice
a home as if he had again been turned
back to nature.
"Of course. we realize that there are
hundreds and thousands of good people
in Birmingham and the suburbs who are
greatly Interested in this great civic
movement, but who cannot, perhaps he
come charter members by paying s.; but
we will be Just glad to receive this
man, woman or child's Soc or 81 as the
rich mans So. It's cooperation that we
want to build zoo. The zoo Is for
the masses as well as for the higher
classes.