Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-29
HASKLN,S
LETTER
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO
THE 700
-. 49, U.aTss
BY Frederic j. Haskin

| OOn InlBIlL WOhQS M1Adb On co III "
do with such a pet. The President
of the United States often has wild
and woody beasts like these offered
to him, but he never wastes any
thought over their disposal. If he
accepts an animal or bird that is
properly described as wild, Sc sends
1t direct to the National Zoo.
AS a result of this presidential
policy, the National Geological Park
always has boarders from the White
House, and these distinguished
members of the animal community
are objects of special interest. Presi-
dent Coolidge recently made his first
contribution to the geological col
lection when he accepted a young
cinnamon bear about three years
old.
Two of these bears were brought
all the way from the far west in an
automobile truck. The owner ar
rived in state at the White House,
accompanied by the brass band of
the Oklahoma City fire department
which happened to be on it's way to
a freman's convention in the east.
President Coolidge admired the
bear. listened to n serenade by the
band, was photographed with his
new possession land the White
House bear then rolled away to its
new home in the zoo in Rock Creek
Park. At first the animal was If
ritable and tired from it's long trip,
having been chained in the truck.
But it soon responded to care and
friendship, and it now answers
cheerfully to the name of Chief.
The kinds and number of gifts
that are offered to a president de-
- H. .Aaf1 a. an6
on publicity. If an executive gains
the name of being fond of animals
he is apt to receive constant offers
of all sorts of pedigreed pets and
rare wild specimens. But whether
he likes animals or is Indifferent to
them, the mere news that the Presi-
dent has received the gift of a wild
animal is enough to start a Noah's
Ark procession of beasts toward the
White House.
The Roosevelt family's fondness
for animals was nationally known,
and the boys pets, kept at the White
House, included guinea pigs, a
kangaroo rat, and an alligator. The
alligator departed this life while a
guest on the Presidential yacht,
Mayf1ower. Steaming hot water was
accidentally run into the marble tub
where the reptile was luxuriously
resting, and when found the pet
alligator was totally and permanent
ly defunct.
Even an animal loving President
has to draw the line somewhere.
Several black bears were accepted
by Mr.. Roosevelt, but dispatched
promptly to the zoo. A scarlet and
yellow mackaw, still on display at
the zoo, also arrived there by way
Of the White House in Roosevelt's
time.
King Menelek's Gifts
Roosevelt's great interest in big
game and hunting inspired a good
many people to offer gifts of wild
animals. 1t was in 1904 that King
Melelek of Abyssinia sent his royal
gift of a ~lioness, two Gelada balloons,
two ostriches, and a Grevy zebra.
These foreign guests visited at the
Bronx zoo in New York for several
months, and finally arrived in Wash
ington just in time to enjoy Thanks
giving dinner at the National o
The balloons and zebra were es-
pecially valuable, being the first
specimens of their breeds ever
brought to this country. The ba-
boons did not long survive in cap
LlN4NJs IhO 6ObAdt Oh tAC ONA~A
hand, lived until a year or so ago.
and died at a ripe old age of twenty
odd years. This particular kind of
zebra was evidently regarded as a
fine gift by King Menelek. He had
already presented Queen Victoria of
England and President Grevy of
France with specimens. 1t was this
last named presentation which caus-
ed French naturalists to name the
species after their President. The
Grevy zebra is distinguished by it's
large size and its delicate stripes.
The only survivor of the Absys-
sinian collection is an ostrich, which
may still be seen at the zoo. The
bird was adult when it came to
America, and 1t holds the record of
being one of the Oldest ostriches in
captivity.
President Roosevelt's hunting in
terests must also rave been respon-
sible for the Mcmillan gift to the
government. This valuable collec-
ton from British East Africa COM
prised two lions, three lionesses, two
vultures, a leopard, zebra, eagle,
hawk. n baboon.
Such large gifts are rare, but
every President is offered specimens
of wild life. especially native ami
mails and birds. And while the Chief
Executive must necessarily decline
many more gifts than he accepts,
each administration is sooner or
later represented in the National Zoo
collection.
Eagles frequently Presented
An eagle Is apparently regarded
as n particularly suitable gift, no
doubt because of the eagles associa-
ton with our currency and national
seal. Mr.. Harding received one of
these birds from Alaska. Another
specimen, sent to President Wilson,
from Colorado, was accompanied by
a large printed placard which said:
ITO Woodrow Wilson-President
of the United States. / am n. Rocky
Mountain Democrat and stand for
principle, peace, and dry gunpowder
to back the Presidents fountain pen.
Every dollar thai bears my picture
is game. Introduce me to weak
kneed congressman and senator's
Washington, D. c."
Other American fauna supposed
to appeal to a Chief Executive are
the opossum and the raccoon. The
opossum's popularity as an article
of food in some states is no doubt
responsible for frequent donations
of fat specimens to the White House.
Generally. however, these animals
never see the White House dining
room. Instead, they end their days
peacefully at the zoo as pensioners
of Uncle Sam.