The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-11-27

miles from the city hail. The fea-
ture of the 200, aside from its size and cOmpre-
hensiveness. will he the exhibition of its animals
under the natural conditions" system.
Chicago Geological Gardens is It's name, but
its ownership and management-at least at first
will be sort of composite affair. There is to be
a Chicago geological Gardens society made
up of Chicago citizens Mrs. Mccormick
gave the land to the Forest Preserves of Cook
county. These are owned by the people in per-
petulty and are controlled by the Forest Preserve
district of Cook county. This district
ganized separate taxing body by the Illinois
legislature. The Cook county commissioners by
virtue Of their office are Forest Preserve com
misslOners. 1t appears however, that these For
est Preserve commissioners are without legal
warrant directly to nnderwrite the enterprise
The public will therefore have to furnish the
sInews of war, for a while at least.
In these circumstances the Forest Preserve
commissioners appointed committee to visit the
Zoos of the United States and get helpful infOr-
nation. Commissioners Frank J. Wilson, chair
man; William NJ. Maclean and George A. Miller
constitute this committee The nub of their re-
sort to President Peter Relnberg and the COM
zn1zSioners lies In their suggested plan of or
gaHizldiOn," as follows:
| lin view of the program adopted by various
geological enterprises, domestic and foreign. it is
the opinion of your committee that the honorable
great generosity of Mrs. Mccormick by inviting
the cooperation of a body of representative citi-
=zaRs of Cook county, men and women and through
Them organize the Chicago Geological Gardens
society. As the commissioners of the Forest
Preserve district are without legal warrant to
directly undertake the work of underwriting the
enterprise 1t would become the direct business
of the society to take formal action with refer
ence to financing installing and maintaining the
same In a manner commensurate with its inn
portance
1.-THE authority of your board thus being linn
tied assistance may be required in the event of
more active extended participation in the con-
duct Of the gardens. This authority necessarily
must tie procured through legislative enactment
and the promotion of this may be safely left in
the hands of the influential body of men cOmprs-
ing the corporate membership of the proposed
society. In this connection it is obvious that the
people of the entire state of Illinois may be
counted upon to lend their support to any assist
ance the great project deserves"
Inasmuch as the building installation and
maintenance of the zoo will depend upon sources
of income outside the Jurisdiction of the Forest
Preserve district, it is instructive to note how
the various ZOOS of the country are financed.
Take tie New York for example. 1t is con-
Quoted by the New York Geological society of
which DIR. w. T. Hornaday is director and gen
eraI curator. This famous contains 264 acres;
has $3.50 specimens of 99S species of mammals,
birds and reptiles, and attracts about 1.775O00
visitors annually. Its sources of income
ef1) From the Geological society," through sub
scription from private citizens-funds for plans
for the erection of buildings. aviaries, dens and
other Accommodations for animals and Fl, the pur-
chase Of animals.
(2) From the city of New York certain funds
for the construction of walks, roads, sewers and
drainage water supply, public comfort buildings
entrances. grading, excavating of large ponds and
lakes. annual maintenance and also for animal
buildings.
The membership of ne society, as of Deem
Der 81, 1918, was 22S6 divided into the following
classes: Benefactors, founders in perpetuity,
founders. associate founders. patrons. life menu
bers annual members fellows, honorary members,
corresponding members. Annual dues are ten
dollars payable In advance and of annual MEM
hers of all walks of life there were 1S49. The
bylaws provide membership fees as follows in
addition to the annual class Life. 5000; patron,
$1,000; associate founder, $25S0 founder, $1,000
founder in perpetuity $4,000; benefactor $50 900.
Persons who have rendered marked service in the
science of zoology may he elected honorary men,
hers the nominations not exceeding three year.
The societys membership rolls contain the names
of many New Workers of wealth and national
prominence.
AS is the case with other large geological in
stitutions that in the Bronx has been favored in
the matter of acceSsions through gifts by friends
Of the society 1t has been the practice of mem
hers Of the New York society when abroad. to
Keep watchful eye after such specimens as
xronld be acceptable and ship them TO New York
The endowment funds of the society are nu
n,erous and supply various needs. They include