The Washington times., 1922-12-29
SHR|NERS PLAN
Bis CAMEL
FARM
investigate Near Manassas to
Find Suitable Soil for 200
In Herd.

Active preparations for opening
a huge camel ranch within twenty
miles of Washington were launched
today.
c. Maurice Hopkins. Washington
business man. who is the Eastern
agent for ]. II. Jenkins. millionaire
camel racher of San Jacinto. Cal,
today announced that he had ap-
pointed Mayor Harry p. Davis Of
Manassas. Va. as his agent 70 in
vestigate the possibilities OF locating
the farm at Manassas.
Mayor Davis Is now proceeding
with the collection OF samples OF
soil from a score Of farms in the
vicinity Of MANASSAS, together with
detailed description Of the topogra-
ply OF the country. water supply.
crops raised. and other pertinent
informa tion. The soil samples win
he sent immediately to the Depart
ment OF Agriculture for examina-
ton by the bureau Of soils, to de-
termine whether the land will be
suitable for this purpose.
Ts Secure Options.
II hspe instructed Mayor Davis
to secure options on the land in
.n,e 1t is found suitable for the
raising Of camels." Mr.. Hopkins
said today. 'Of course, we are un-
Ter no obligation to locate at
Marnssas unless conditions are
sound to be entirely suitable for
nur purpose.
"Mr. jenkins, who made
thorouyIA survey Of the local situa-
ton duy19 his recent trip here, Is
now on h.S way back TO CALIFORNIA.
where he will proceed with his selec-
tion of the herd which VIII be sent
to the site ,selocte9 heEe.'
An offer az housing space for the
200 camels 10 he brought to this
CITY next Jun. has been received by
the Almas Ten lple 1928 Shrine COM
mittee from superintendent Ned
Hollister, Of the Geological Park.
iollis,er stated tVday that large
tract OF land on ksne road leading to
the Connecticut avenue entrance TO
he Zoo was now keing leveled and
prepared for use an1 would soon be
fenced in.
Though his space will be used for
other purposes can hold II open
until the middle OF Ju. ne 80 as TO
take care Of the herd WIN. 6'h j under
stand is to be brought h ere oy the
Shriners." he said. "Of course the
Shrine would have to fl rnish the
fodder for the herd, since we have no
appropriations for this purr,o Sc. The
park can easily take care OF the
big herd which IL is proposed TO
bring here.
Secs Plan Feasible.
Il have never heard OF an0 her
group of camels Of nearly the ize
of this herd and I am sure II ~ III
be magnificent and unusual sight.
Commenting on the plan to estah.
lish a camel ranch near the city Hol.
lister said:
Il can see no reason why such a
ranch should not be a success. We
have been very successful in rails.
ing the camels which have been re-
il has been found that the climate is
entirely suitable. 1t should be a
fgasib,e proposition"
Hopkins stated today that he had
received number OF applications
from Shriners who want to ride
camels in the huge parades which
will be "A feature OF the coming ses-
sion. He said that he would select
the finest looking men for this pur-
pose and that they would be provided
with the finest costumes and the
Camels would be fitted with .rup-
pSss not exceeded even by the mag.
nificent trappings used for the Egyp-
tian royal camels In the days OF the
Pharaohs. A band of Arabian camel
drivers, selected from the most
skilled camel men in the world, will
be brought to Washington TO man.
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