Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-11-30

~ miles west of the city line and IA
miles from the city hall. The fea-
ture of the ZOO aside from its size and cOmpre-
hensiveness, Will 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
will be a sort of composite affair. There is to be
u 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 was or
ganized a separate taxing body by the Illinois
legislature. The Cook county commissioners by
virtue of their office are Forest Preserve COM
mssoners. 1t appears, however that these For
est Preserve commissioners without legal
sarrant directly underwrite the enterprise.
The public will therefore have to furnish the
sinews of wa, 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 NJ NIacean and George A. Miller
constitute this committee The nub of their
port to President Peter Reinberg and the COM
mfSsioners lies in their Suggested plan of
ganzation" 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 TINS board further recognize the
great generosity of Mrs Mccormick by inviting
the cooperation of q body of representative citi-
zens 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, it would become the direct business
of the society to take formal action with refer
ence to financing. installing and maintaining the
n ITO with
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 he 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 obv 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 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 zoo 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 zoo contains 264 acres;
has $3.50 specimens of 99S species of mammals
birds and reptiles, and attracts about 1,775.000
visitors annually. Its sources of income are:
Q) From the Geological society through sub
scription from private citzens-funds for plans
for the erection of buildings, avaries 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 re society. as of Deem
her 81. 1918, 2,2S6 divided into the following
classes: BenefactorS, founders in perpetuity
founders. associate founders. patrons life mem
corresponding members. Annual dues are ten
dollars. payable in advance and of annual men,
bers 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, $3.50; founder $4,000:
founder in perpetuity, $4,000; benefactor $50 600
Persons who have rendered marked service in the
science of zoology may be elected honorary men,
hers the nominations not exceeding three a year
The societyS membership rolls contain the names
of many New Workers of wealth and national
prominence.
As is the with other large geological in
SttutionS 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 men,
hers of the New York society when abroad TO
keep watchful eye after such specimens as
would be acceptable and ship them TO New York.
The endowment funds of the society are nu-
snerous and supply various needs. They include