Evening star., 1937-12-26
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star
Beginning Of the
Washington Zot
The establishment OF the Washington
Zoo Is thus recorded in The Star of De-

R.o;rr;,.of.h. cember %. 1887:
0A 'no THE bear, the
Washington Zoo. eagles, the lynxes,
the prairie dogs,
the oppossum, foxes and the other wild
beasts that have lurked around the old
armory building have Deen moved to new
quarters erected for them on the south
side of the Smithsonian Building A long
building has been constructed out OF the
material of the huge frame structure that
stood for long time east of the National
Museum. Men were busy today hasten
ing the completion of the interior ar
rangements. A big circular inclosure Is
being constructed for the bear and in 1t
will be planted tree for Mr.. Bruin to
claw. Along one side a row of cages,
looking like private boxes or stalls at a
theater. are being made. Meanwhile the
animals are temporarily occupying cages
and cases Of various kinds and some Of
them are somewhat cramped.
This collection Of American animals
has been brought here not for exhibition
purposes, but to aid the taxidermist, Mr..
Hornaday, and his staff in their work.
They can study the attitudes of the ami
mails from life. But as they are here
arrangements are being made to give the
public the benefit of them. The ZOO"
will be opened. it is expected, by Satur-
day and the children can have a treat
for Christmas week. The collection will
be interesting also to the older folks.
Mr.. Hornaday proposes to place at each
cage map showing the geographical
distribution OF the species represented in
the cage.
"The other day one of the gray foxes
escaped from the yard of the old armory
and made tracks for the Baltimore g.
Potomac depot. A fox chase was inaugu-
rated which, for excitement, was never
equaled by any cut-and-dried affair.
Men, boys and dogs joined in the pur-
suit. Finally the fox. having doubled on
its pursuerS, shot across the Mall with
black dog close at its heels. Mr.. Horn
aday, expecting the dog would kill the
fox. ran to prevent the tragedy If pos
slble. The dog, however, soon overlook
the fox. but instead of attempting to
hurt 1t, brushed up against 1t in the most
playful and friendly manner. The fox by
TINS time was headed for the armory.
Mr.. Hornaday shouted to have the door
opened The door was flung open and
Reynard ran straight back to his old
place OF captivity, where he was secured"
y Il
The annual discussion of the project
Tor abolishing the Congressional Record
Congressional is Is soon s3,t to b begin" says
Record. 2l, 1887. "The subject
has already been brought
up In the Committee on Rules on q plea
that the Government would be saved a
large annual expense and that a vast
amount OF verbosity would be suppressed
II members understood that their remarks
were not going to be freely printed. Un-
ooubtedly both Of these reforms would be
accomplished by abolishing the Record,
in the same way that bad mans morals
can be improved by cutting of his head.
But 1t Is not always desirable to 20 to
such extreme lengths. The object in view
Is not to get rid Of the public record, but
TO make 1t better. The advantage of hav.
ing some official publication of the bills
and resolutions introduced, progressed
ana passed each day and of an outline of
tne other regular work is obvious; for
aitnough each house Of Congress would
keep manuscript journal of its proceed
lngs IN any event and the public press
coulo oe depended on to convey to the
people OF each district the congressional
news likely to be of immediate interest to
them. yet the manuscript might easily be
oestroyed by fire or the newspapers might,
1or partlsan reasons, miSrepresent or sup
press matters Of real public interest and
the errors would be difiicult of correc-
lion. AS check upon such chances,