Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-11-26


ture of the zoo, aside from its size and compre-
hensveness, will be 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-
petuity and are controlled by the Forest Preserve
district of Cook county This district or
ganized as separate taxing body by the Illinois
legislature The Cook county commissioners by
virtue of their Office are Forest Preserve COM
missoners 1t appears, however, that these For
est Preserve commissioners are without legal
warrant directly to underwrite the enterprise.
The public will therefore have to furnish the
snews 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 body of representative cit-
| zens of Cook county, and women and through
| them, organize the Chicago Geological Gardens
| society. AS the commissioners of the Forest
Preserve district without legal warrant to
directly undertake the work of underwriting the
enterprise, it 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 it's i'm
portance.
'The authority of your board thus being linn
tied, assistance may befrequired in the event of
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 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 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 of the country are financed.
Take the New York for example. 1t is con-
Quoted by the New York Geological society, of
which DR.. W. T. Hornaday is director and gen.
eral curator. This famous contains 264 acres
has 3,450 specimens of 99S species of mammals,
J birds and reptiles, and attracts about 1,775000
visitors annually. Its sources of income are:
1) From the Geological society, through SUBJ
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 an6
lakes, annual maintenance and also for animal
buildings.
! The membership of he society, as of Decem
Der 81, 1915 was 22s6, divided into the following
! classes: Benefactors, founders in perpetuity
: founders, associate founders, patrons, life mem
corresponding members. Annual dues are tel
bers Of all walks Of life there were 1s49. Th
: bylaws provide membership fees as follows, il
addition to the annual class Life, $500; patron
$1,000; associate founder, $3.50; founder $4,000
founder in perpetuity, $4,000; benefactor $25 OOC
Persons who have rendered marked service in tn
=. science of zoology may be elected honorary men
= bers, the nominations not exceeding three a yeal
L The societys membership rolls contain the name
| of many New Workers of wealth and nationa
prominence.
As is the case with other large geological II
: stitutions, that in the Bronx has been favored i
= the matter of accessions through gifts by friend
: of the society. It has been the practice of men
. :, bers of the New York society, when abroad, t
- keep a watchful eye after such specimens q
= would be acceptable and ship them to New Yorl
The endowment funds Of the society are nj
merous and supply various needs. They includ