Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-11-19

II miles west Oh tne llne anu IA
miles from the city hall. The fea-
ture Of the zoo. aside from Its size and compre-
henslveness, win be the exhibition of its animals
under the natural conditions" system.
Chicago Geological Gardens is its name. but
its ownership and management--at least at first
win 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-
petuity and controlled by the Forest Preserve
district Of Cook county, This district was or
gnnized ns a separate taxing body by the Illinois
legsla ture The Cook county commissioners by
virtue of their Office are Forest Preserve COM
mlssioners 1t appears. however, that these For
est Preserve commissioners without legal
warrant directly to underwrite the enterprise.
The public will therefore have to furnish the
slnews Of war, for while at least.
In these circumstances the Forest Preserve
commissioners appointed a committee to visit the
ZOOS Of the United States and get helpful infor-
nation. Commissioners Frank J. Wilson, chair
man; William M. Maclean and George A. Miller
constitute this committee. The nub of their re-
port to President Peter Reinberg and the COM
missIoners lies in their suggested plan of or
ganization," as follows
'In view Of the program adopted by various
geological enterprises domestic and foreign. it is
the opinion of your committee that the honorable
president of this board further recognize the
great generosity of Mrs. Mccormick by inviting
the cooperation Of a body of representative citi-
Eens 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 manner commensurate with its i'm
portance.
"The authority of your board thus being linn
tied. assistance may be required In the event Of a
more active or extended participation In the con-
duct Of the gardens. This authority necessarily
must be procured through legislative enactment
and the promotion Of this may be safely left in
the hands Of the influential body of men compris-
Ing the corporate membership Of the proposed
society. In this connection 1t 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, 1t is instructive to note how
the various Of the country are financed.
Take the New York ZOO for example. 1t Is con-
Quoted by the New York Geological society, Of
which DIR. w. 7. Hornaday is director and gen.
eral curator. This famous contains 264 acres I;
has 3.450 specimens of 99S species of mammals.
LII
visitors annually It's sources Of income are:
Cl) 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 fer 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 he society," as of Decem
Der 81, 1918, 22S6, divided into the following
classes: Benefactors founders in perpetuity
founders, associate founders patrons, life mem
bers, annual members, fellows, honorary members
corresponding members. Annual dues are ter
dollars, payable in advance and Of annual mem
bers Of all walks Of life there were 1S49. Tht
bylaws provide membership fees as follows II
addition to the annual class: Life, $500; patron
$1,000; associate founder. $780, founder, $4,000
founder in perpetuity, $4,000; benefactor, $4,000
Persons who have rendered marked service in th
science of zoology may be elected honorary mem
bers, the nominations not exceeding three O year
The society's membership rolls contain the name
of many New Yorkers of wealth and nationa
prominence.
As is the case with other large geological In
stitutions, that in the Bronx has been favored 4
the matter of accessions through gifts by friend
of the society. 1t has been the practice of men
bers of the New York society, when abroad t
keep a watchful eye after such specimens a
would be acceptable and ship them to New Yorl
The endowment funds Of the society are n,
lnerous and supply various needs. They includ