This book made available by the Internet Archive.

Mr. Natcher. The language no longer is necessary ? Mr. Herman. That is right.

Thursday, May 17,1962. NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK

WITNESSES

DR. T. H. REED, DIRECTOR, NATIONAX ZOOLOGICAL PARK

J. LEAR GRIMMER, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

JAMES C. BRADLEY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF SMITHSONIAN

INSTITUTION MRS. FRUZA KUSSROW, BUDGET OFFICER

Mr. Natcher. We will next take up the National Zoological Park wherein the amount requested is $1,512,900 for fiscal year 1963. This is an increase of $140,100.

We shall insert page 20-2 in the record at this point.

(The page referred to follows:)

Activity summary 19G1 allocation (including all approved supplementals) $1,304,000

1962 allocation 1, .350, 800

Transfer from "Personal services, wage-scale employees" 29,000

Total 1962 allocation 1,379,800

Decreases 7, 000

Base for 1963 1, 372, 800

Increases 140,100

Total estimate for 1963 1, 512, 900

Analysis by suhactivity

Mr. Natcher. Dr. Reed, it is always a pleasure to have you appear before our committee each year.

If you have a general statement we shall be delighted to hear from you at this time.

General Statement or Director

Dr. Reed. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, I have a brief statement here I would like to read.

Mr. Chairman and members of this committee, I am extremely grateful to you for the privilege of appearing here today. In the time that has elapsed since I was last privileged to appear before you, many interesting and stimulating events have taken place. We have continued to maintain the high status of our animal collection, with many fine additions of animals through trade, purchase, and birth.

The most notable and thrilling was the birth on September 9 of a male lowland gorilla. This is the fourth gorilla born in captivity, and the second in the United States. The mother did not manifest maternal interest and response to the baby, so that it was raised in the home of Bernard Gallagher, supervisory keeper of the great apes. I am happy to report that the baby is developing wonderfully well, having grown from 5 pounds 4% ounces at birth to 14 pounds, and is now on exhibition in the small mammal house. He gives every indication of being a very happy and healthy young gorilla.

The functions which were so generously enlarged or started by this committee's action last year are progressing satisfactorily. We are deeply appreciative of your authorization for pneumatic drill equipment, which has been used extensively, and has resulted in more repair and maintenance work being accomplished. The commissary program, which was fully staffed last year, has resulted in more efficient use of the keepers' time; better control, inspection, and storage of the foodstuffs received; and has enabled us to hold the line on the cost of feeding a larger and more varied collection of animals despite the constant increase in the price of foodstuffs. The usage of basic foodstuffs has increased 11.6 percent over fiscal year 1961, and the cost has gone up 10.8 percent. We are feeding a larger collection of animals with this same amount, due to efficiency of the commissary section.

We plan to expand and improve some of the programs within the activities of the zoo in order to meet more efficiently our objectives of exhibiting a broad spectrum of living animals "for the advancement of science and the education and recreation of the people." We are not requesting any new programs. Of the $140,100 increase that we are requesting at this time, 43.5 percent, or $61,000, is for increased personnel costs due to wage board salary increases, within-grade advancements, and reclassifications. In the administrative department, we are requesting a position of accounting and budgetary clerk to meet the present workload inherent in these two functions. In the animal department we are requesting the completion of the night-keeper program, which was started 2 years ago, by the addition of two night-keeper positions. We are also requesting one laboratory technician for the animal health program to prepare pathological sections for microscopic examination. In the mechanical department we are - requesting one journeyman mechanic and an additional laborer to further our program of maintenance and repair of the present physical plant. We are also requesting equipment money to increase our efficiency in cleaning the park and keeping it presentable. We hope to purchase a mechanical street sweeper, and other cleaning equipment. To meet the increasing demands of our grounds, tree maintenance, and gardening, we are requesting additional personnel and equipment.

In all departments except administrative, we are requesting small increases in the supply and equipment money to meet the workload demand as well as the increased cost.

I believe that our operational request presented to you is the minimum necessary to provide for the efficient operation and maintenance of the National Zoological Park,

The master plan for the comprehensive redevelopment of the zoo is, I believe, most satisfactory from the standpoint of the animals, the visiting public, and operation and maintenance. If over a period of years, all elements of this plan are completed, the National Zoological Park will be, if not the outstanding, one of the most outstanding zoos in the world. Plans are now being drawn for the first year's work, and money is included in the regular appropriation of the Smithsonian as passed by the House and reported out by the Senate committee. The construction funds are not included in the request for appropriations before this committee.

I will be most happy and pleased to answer any questions you have concerning the operation of the zoo.

Mr. Natcher. We want to thank you for your statement, Dr. Reed, and it is a pleasure to have you appear in behalf of the request for fiscal year 1963.

You have the right kind of enthusiasm for your assignment and the committee commends you for it.

I personally believe anyone who likes wliat lie is doing always does a good job.

Dr. Reed. Thank you.

Impro\tem:ents at Zoologicaiv Park

Mr. Xatcher. Mr. Bradley, it is a pleasure to have you before our committee at this time. As the members of the committee know you are the Assistant Secretary of tlie Smithsonian Institution.

We would like to have you briefly tell us just what progress you are making on general improvements at the Zoological Park under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution.

general statement by assistant secretary of S^riTIISONIAN

INSTITUTION

Mr. Bradley. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. The first thing we did was to survey the 170-plus acres, and we came up with an engineering development plan. This is the framework which we hope to use as a guide for progress over a period of years. Meanwhile, the park will be kept in operation.

We don't want to disrupt the enonnous visitation to the park from all over the country, so we intend, Mr. Chairman, progressively, perhaps over 10 yeai-s, to get on with physical improvements that will do these things:

In 1890, when Secretary Langley of the Smithsonian went out there and picked out this site, just before Rock Creek Park was established there, they had hoi-ses and carriages. Today we have the automobile which represents a tremendous traffic problem and a disruption to the natural character of the Zooloffical ParK.

Point No. 1: We have a road project in mind.

Of course, Dr. Reed sees to it ^Ye keep the animals in mind, but our purpose is to get the automobile to the periphery of the zoo and there be parked and have the people come on into the stroUways and paths without the danger and intrusion of automobile traffic.

Point No. 2 is for the animals and the people. That means, Mr. Chairman, we intend to resort to the modern technique of getting away from the menagerie, the cage, the iron bar, and instead get the animals into natural park-like settings behind perfectly safe but invisible barriers.

Those invisible barriers, relatively invisible, are sometimes wet moats, ditches with water, sometimes dry moats which are deep enough that the animal cannot spring out, sometimes heavy structural glass in the interior of the exhibition buildings where you observe the animal and he observes you.

Attendant with completion of the entire program we will have the automobile traffic problem licked and the animals properly displayed so the people can follow out the original purpose of the zoo with enjoyment.

As to the status of the planning, as I say, we have this outline which gives us a guide to where we will probably be going for the next 10 years.

More specifically we have certain plans under consideration, through the good graces of the District of Columbia government, the facilities of the Department of Buildings and Grounds. I don't have an engineering department, so we are working in good cooperation with the Buildings and Grounds Department of the District of Columbia.

Through their good offices we have an architect under contract who is preparing contract drawings so construction could start perhaps late in the summer or fall. The House was good enough to give us the money, and this is going along very nicely, with $1,275,000 in prospect for the first year of actual construction.

The planning for that, I am glad to report, is well underway. It consists of planning for the rehabilitation and updating and upgrading of the existing birdhouse, creation of a large free-flight cage for birds, other ancillary cages for birds, the road from the Harvard Street entrance across the park but around the periphery up to Connecticut Avenue, and some landscaping and improving of the moose, elk, and beaver areas.

Mr. Natcher. Thank you very much for your statement, Mr, Bradley.

Administration

Mr. Natcher. Dr. Reed, we shall take up with you at this time administration, where the amount requested is $139,700. Here we have an increase of $8,600 together with one new position requested.

We shall insert pages 20-3 through 20-5 at this point.

(The pages follow:)

898

Justifications

Object classification

SUMMARY OF SUBACTIVITY

The Administration Department provides the planning, guidance, direction, managerial and administrative services through programs for all zoo activities. The program of information and education places the zoo in a better ix)sition to furnish technical data and services relating to the animal collection, to zoo activities and to veterinariams, doctors, students, and the general public.

Program ju .s-1ification

The master plan results in overall expansion of personnel, facilities, animal collection, and administrative services and responsibility. The workload of administration and direction programs will increase substantially in proportion that in order to meet and accomplish the general administrative and services workload funds for one position and related cost, within-grade salary advancements, and wage board adjustments, effective December 10, 1961, are required.

The positions of budget analyst and accounts maintenance clerk are inadetpiate to meet and accomplish the increased workload caused by expansion of programs and services. Required information for records and reports for efficient operation and budget preparation have not been properly maintained due to lack of personnel. One position of accounting and budget clerk is necessary to meet

the workload demand; to formulate and maintain the requii'ed records and reports; to assist the budget analyst in budget preparation by performing clerical tasks and to assist the accounts maintenance clerk in accomplishment of workload and to perform the duties of the accounts maintenance clerk in his absence. This position would accomplish the workload demand effecting eflBciency in overall operations.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows:

The program of information and education which places the zoo in a better position to furnish technical data and services relating to animals, to zoo activities, veterinarians, doctors, students, and general public was inaugurated in fiscal year 1962. Development and increase in eflBciency and productivity of this program is planned. No Increase or change in program other than funds for within-grade salary advancements are requested. Savings resulting from normal turnover have been taken into consideration.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows:

BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING CLERK

Mr. Natcher. Explain the requirement for the GS-5 budget and accounting clerk which is requested.

Dr. Reed. This position is to assist our accounts and maintenance clerk and our budget officer in keeping up with the present workload within these two departments.

We have just these two positions and we find there is sufficient work, considering the number of reports that must be gotten out routinely and regularly, the preparation of the budget, the accounting of all our purchases, in considering the time the people have, we have sufficient work to be accomplished which should be done by three positions. We have now only two positions to do this work and the work either is not done or not done as efficiently as it should be clone. This is simply a workload proposition. We have work for three people and only tw'o people doing it.

TOTAL POSITIONS

Mr. Natcher. How many positions do you have at the Zoological Park at this time ? What is your total number of positions ?

Dr. Reed. 205, sir.

Mr. Natcher. How many new positions are you requesting for fiscal year 1963 ?

Dr. Reed. Eleven, sir.

riNANCIXG OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Mr. Natcher. Going back momentarily to the statement of Mr. Bradley, as you gentlemen know, our former chairman, Mr. Rabaut, was instrumental in seeing that as much of this burden be lifted from the District of Columbia as possible.

Through his leadership, aided and assisted by all of the other parties interested, and especially the Commissioners here in the District and other District officials, we were able to place the cost where it should be at this time from the standpoint of new construction and other such items.

Certainly we have known for a number of years that this is a matter which should not have been carried on alone in the District of Columbia budget.

Here again we have another instance of a move which was made by our former chairman which I believe was the right move and one which will prove beneficial in the future.

ANIMAL department POSITIONS

Dr. Reed, the three positions requested consist of two night keepers and one laboratory technician. Is that correct?

Dr. Refj>. This is in the Animal Department, yes, sir.

Animal Department

Mr. Natcher. For the Animal Department we shall insert pages 20-6 through 20-11. (The pages follow:)

Justifications

Object classification

SUMMARY OF SUBACTIVITY

The Animal Department has the responsibility for the health, welfare, care, custody, and exhibition of approximately 3,000 live animals of over 850 varieties. This Department has five major programs consisting of (1) day keeper program, responsible for the care, custody, and exhibition of animals; (2) night keeper program, which provides night care and custody of animals, including attending sick animals where instant or periodic attention is required; (3) commissary division responsible for ordering, receiving, storing, preparation, and delivery of all animal food; (4) animal health program, which provides for the medical care of the animals, as well as supplying clinical data to assist in diagnosing disease and evaluating treatment; (5) vermin control program, to control rodent and insect infestation and provide a relatively vermin-free physical plant.

Program justification

An increase of $8,750 is required to cover costs of wage board adjustments, effective December 10, 1961.

In fiscal year 1963, $4,550 is required to cover costs of positions upgraded by reclassification survey. These classifications were made in strict compliance with Civil Sei"vice Commission standards. The Whitten amendment requires agencies to audit all positions each year for the purpose of confirming and correcting grade allocations and for abolishment of positions found to be unnecessary.

The amount of $2,500 available is inadequate to provide necessary maintenance and operational supplies for the daykeeper program. There have been no additional funds appropriated for this purpose since prior to fiscal year 1953. In that year the complement of the Animal Department consisted of 53 positions and in fiscal year 1962, 65 positions. The animal collection has increased proi)ortionately during this time. In order to maintain efficiency of operations and provide necessary supplies such as animal enclosure and cage-cleaning materials, feeding implements, animal capture and restraint supplies, etc., additional funds are necessary.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows :

The night keeper program was inaugurated in fiscal year 1061 by phase 1 and expanded by phase 2 in fiscal year 1962. This program is re.sponsible for providing nighttime care and custody of the animal collection. To complete this phased program and oi>erate efficiently additional funds for i)ersonnel and related costs, within-grade salary advancement and wage board adjustments, effective December 10, 1961, are requested.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows:

The Commissary Division, responsible for ordering, receiving, storing, preparation, and delivery of all animal food, requests no increase or change in program other than funds for within-grade salary advancements and wage board salary adjustments, effective December 10, 1961. Savings which may result from normal turnover have been taken into consideration.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows:

The animal health program established in fiscal year 1955 provided one veterinarian and was expanded in fiscal year 1962 by one position of medical biologist. The establishment and maintenance of an. animal health program requires full-time personnel in attendance. The veterinarian and medical biologist in addition to their normal required functions cannot accomplish the full-time laboratory work required in animal health and treatment that is required of hospitalized animals. A position of laboratory technician to conduct the required laboratory tests, and examinations necessary for the eflBcient performance of the veterinarian and medical biologist, would meet efliciency and workload requirements.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows :

An increase of $360 is requested to cover the cost of wage board adjustment and positions upgraded resulting from a reclassification survey made in strict compliance with Civil Service Commission standards.

To maintain a relatively vermin free area the National Zoological Park proposes to expand and conduct a realistic vermin control program which will systematize the operation of eradication and provide adequate, effective vermin-killing agents and equipment.

These pests present a grave hazard to the public, the exhibit animals, and employees. All of the pests carry and disseminate disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Rodents may even be infected with or harbor rabies. The history of the zoo reveals several cases of rabies and other diseases in caged exhibition specimens for which the route of infection was logically determined to be that of a wild animal or insect.

With the advent of new insecticides insects and rodents have so adjusted and adapted themselves that some insecticides and poisons are noneffective. Consequently, another type of compound must be purchased which will keep the disease-bearing animals and insects to a minimum level. To date, all types of flies, mosquitoes, and to a certain extent cockroaches, are unaffected by certain well-known insecticides, including Lindane.

Funds are requested to purchase insecticides, exterminating chemicals, and suitable equipment to put into operation an efficient vermin control program.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows :

D04

NIGHT KEEPERS

Mr. Natcher. Please explain to us briefly these three additional positions requested here.

Dr. Reed. The first are the two night keeper positions. Two years ago we instituted a program of continual 24-hour care of our animals by qualified keepers. In fact, some of our best keepers are involved in this night keeper program, so that the animals would have attendance 24 hours a day.

Again figuring this is a 365-day operation, considering the annual leave these men are entitled to and the average amount of sick leave, we find it takes 1.6 men to fill one position. To have the total of four night keepers on two different sliifts, working 8 hours a day, 4 to 12, and 12 to 8, we would require six men.

Four of these men have already been granted to us by this committee's action in the past. These two men we are asking make the completion of the night keeper program. These night keepers are on duty after the visiting public has gone home and our regular keeper crew has left. They patrol the areas, certain animals are fed that are particular night feeders. They give them food when the animals want it. Baby animals are fed on a round-the-clock basis.

Any sickness, injury, illness is noted by these qualified and trained keepers and immediate action is taken by them. This night keeper program eliminates having about 16 hours out of the 24 in which the animals are not properly cared for. These two keepers are the completion of the program.

LABORATORY TECHXICIAX

The third position is the laboratory technician to be used to prepare pathological slides. Animals that have reached, unfortunately, the stage of post mortem examination are involved here. A tissue is taken from these animals and prepared on slides for pathological examination. This will give us. when they are examined, read, and determined, a rather quick and immediate complete cause of death over and above gross post mortem examination.

This is a continuation of the program to care for these valuable, rare, and sometimes almost extinct animals committed to our care.

Mechaxical Depart:mext

Mr. Natcher. Next is the "Mechanical Department" where the amount of $463,240 is requested. This is an increase of $36,400. You are requesting two new positions in this Department.

At this point we shall insert pages 20-12 through 20-14 in the record.

(The pages follow:)

905

Justifications

Object classification

SUMMARY OF SUBACTIVITY

The Mechanical Department is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and construction of the complete physical plant of the National Zoological Park including buildings, cages, paddocks, enclosures, roads, walks, steps, water, sewer and steam lines, electric facilities and maintenance of a central heating plant which supplies heat to all buildings and areas. While the program should be one of preventative maintenance and repair it has developed into one of only meeting one emergency repair after another. This backlog has resulted from lack of personnel, supplies, material, and equipment.

Program justification

This program of maintenance and repair must maintain 3 miles of roadway, 5 miles of trails, 2 miles of sidewalks, 2 miles of boundary fence, 8 miles of paddock fence, 3% miles of visitor protective fence, 8,000 feet of electrical conduit, 3,600 feet of steam line, 30,000 feet of waterline, 15,300 feet of mains for water, storm drainage, sewage systems, all electrical devices and lighting, all automotive and motorized equipment, 750 cages and enclosures, and collection of trash left by over 2 million annual visitors. The wear and deterioration of facilities from the action of time, elements, visitors, and animals create a normal workload for this department; however, due to inadequate funds for personnel, supplies, and equipment, many of the facilities are in an advanced state of dis-

repair and deterioration and a considerable baclilog is existing maliing it increasingly difficult to keep the zoo in a proper safe state of repair.

One j'lurneyman is necessary to be assigned to the iron and sheet metal trade where there exists only one position which is inadequate to meet and accomplish the workload demand. There are only 13 laborer positions available for performance 7 days a week. These positions ix'rform heavy laborer work in connection with maintenance, repair and construction, trash removal, cleaning of buildings and ground.s, and are responsible for cleaning the walks, roads, etc. Available positions are not sufficient to meet and accomplish the workload demand operating 7 days per week taking into consideration annual and sick leave. One laborer position is requested to aid in meeting this workload requirement.

In fiscal year 10(1.3, .$5,700 is required to cover costs of positions upgraded by a recla.ssification survey. These cla.ssifications were made in strict compliance with Civil Service Commission standards. The Whitten amendment requires agencies to audit all positions each year for the purpose of confirming and correcting grade allocations and for abolishment of positions found to be unnecessary.

The increased operating costs amounting to $7,900 is required for wage-board adjustments, effective December 10, 1061.

An increase of $7,000 is requested for equipment of which $5,000 will be nonrecurring. This amount is requested for a gasoline powered road and walk sweeper, which would enable the cleaning process of roads and walks to be accomplished in approximately 80 ix>rcent of the time it now takes for manual cleaning by laborers. The roads and walks would be maintained in a clean condition daily rather than as the workload now permits.

There are 11 major buildings all having public areas which must be maintained in a clean and presentable condition. Tlie function at the present time is conducted manually by laborers as workload permits. This process does not maintain the facilities in accordance with required standards. There are no janitorial cleaning type machines utilized in the present process due to lack of funds. Two thousand dollars is requested for the purchase of cleaning machines such as floor scrubbers, polishers, steam cleaning equipment, etc. If this equipment were available buildings would be maintained in a clean presentable condition daily thus, relieving personnel to perform other required duties full time.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows:

Mr. Natcher, Explain the requirement, for two additional positions.

JOURXEYMAN IMECITAXIC

Dr. Reed. Of the two positions, one is for a journeyman mechanic. We plan to put tliat into the iron and sheetmetal trades. The other is for a laborer.

The .sheetmetal worker is necessary to continue the maintenance and repair of our pre,sent facilities. As you are well aware, over the years these cajres and other facilities in the zoo ha^•e deteriorated to such an extent that they require a lar^e amount of maintenance work. Tliis iron and sheetmetal worker is sometimes, we think, necessary to keep the animals in their cages that we now have.

At present we have one position in that trade and the work demanded of him cannot be accomplished by one position. We need another position to keep up with the present workload.

LABORER

The laborer position is necessary to assist in the heavy labor-type work we have to do in the zoo. This is to help the journeyman mechanics where necessary, dig the necessary ditches for the plumbers, and do wiiat is commonly called "bull labor," common hard labor. Also they do the cleaning up of the zoo. They maintain the zoo as trash-free and as clean and presentable to the visitors from all over the Nation and all over the world as possible. We need this man to assist us in our cleaning program.

The present crew are doing the very best they can, but here again the workload over 176 acres is more than they can handle, and we are requesting one additional man to assist them in this work.

EQUIPMENT

Mr. Catcher. Wliat items of equipment will be purchased for the $7,000 that you show on page 20-14 ?

Dr. Reed. The major item is a heavy-duty, medium-sized street-sweeper. This is of the heavy industrial type designed for outside work. Tills will be used to sweep the streets, gutters, some of the walks. This replaces hand labor in many instances. It means we will be able to keep our streets cleaner and. more presentable than we do at the present time.

The rest of the money will be used for mechanical scrubbing machines to be used inside of the buildings. These machines, such as now are used in, I believe, even this building, are able to increase the effectiveness of one person between five and eight times. This is a conservative estimate. I am not using what the company brochures put out. I am using information supplied to me by the Smithsonian Institution, GSA, and other people, that the floors can be scrubbed five to eight times faster than now. Now we do it by hand.

We have seven public exhibition buildings with terrazzo floors and we wish to keep those clean and presentable to the visiting public. This equipment will be used for that.

Police Department

Mr. Natcher. Next we take up police department, where the sum of $195,000 is requested. This is an increase of $4,500, of which $3,000 is for within-grades and $1,500 for sundry supplies. We shall insert puges 20-15 and 20-16 in the record.

(The pages follow:)

908

Justifications

Object classification

SUMMARY OF SUBACTIVITY

The police department is responsible for the enforcement of laws, statutes, rules, and regulations for the protection and safety of visitors, animals, and Government property. No new programs or expansion in existing programs are projected for fiscal year 1963 except funds for within-grade advancements and for purchase of necessary supplies.

Program justification

The amount of $3,000 is necessary to cover within-grade salary advancements and related benefits for 17 classified positions. This amount will permit efli-cieney in operations without curtailment of the program. Savings resulting fi'om normal turnover have been taken into consideration.

The amount of $1,500 is requested to provide necessary additional sundry supplies such as trafl5c signs, rope, first aid supplies, lanterns, barricades, supplies for the horse-mounted unit, and ammunition. This activity's personnel had increased 57 percent since fiscal year 1957. During this period only $800 has been available for the purchase of supplies and materials necessary for operation. This amount has been inadequate to provide efliciency and no increase in funds have previously been requested. In order to maintain eflSeient operations and provide services and safety factors this increase is necessary.

The requested increase will be distributed as follows;

Grounds Department

Mr. Natcher. Next we move to the Grounds Department, where the sum of $100,900 is requested, which is an increase of $39,600. You were also requesting five new positions for this Department. We shall insert pages 20-17 through 20-20 in tlie record.

(The pages follow:)

Justifications

SUMMARY OF StJBACTIVITY

This activity consisting of the gardening program and the tree program is responsible for maintaining the horticulture features of the 176 acres of the National Zoological Park. This includes maintenance of lawns, shrubs, flowers, and trees. There are no new programs requested but improvements in existing programs are required. In order to efficiently and productively accomplish and maintain the functions required of this activity additional funds for personnel, isupplies, and equipment are necessary.

84196—62 57

Ave have requested is necessary. I think v,q could use more veiy efficiently, but we feel that it is absolutely necessary to perform the functions for which this increase is required.

We are also asking for funds to j^rovide a modem scientific labora-toiy in connection with our natural history collections. The great museums of the world have such laboratories. We have not had one in any developed fonn. To too great an extent people have had to depend on just looking at things instead of using modem scientific techniques wliere required to analyze the makeup of certain shells, or something of the sort, tliat may be important in cariying out the kind of research that can be done only at the Smithsonian. When I say it can be done only at the Smithsonian, it is there we have the collections. In some of our collections there are many millions of objects, and this scientific laboratory will assist v&ry much in making proper study of these objects possible.

Tliere are othei- smaller additions which we are requesting for much-needed scientific research.

Construction

Mr. KiRWAN. We will insert pages 19 and 20 of the justification at this point in the record.

(The matter referred to follows:)

Smithsonian Institution — Estimates for Construction general statement

The Smithsonian Institution is requesting funds for fiscal year 1962 to complete the construction of additions to the Natural History Building and for planning the remodeling of the Civil Service Commission Building.

In fiscal year 1901, $1.3,500,000 was appropriated for the rehabilitation and modernization of the Natural History Building and the construction of an'east wing. This work commenced in January 19G1. In the budget for fiscal year 1962, $r»,310,000 is requested in order to permit construction of the west wing and completion of the entire project. (It is anticipated that an amendment to the budget will l)e submitted to the Congress to reduce the amount of the request from .$5,310,000 to $4,336,000 on the basis of the favorable bid subsequently received for the east wing.)

It is anticipated that the present Civil Service Commi.ssion Building will be available for transfer to the Smithsonian Institution in fiscal year 1963 since a contract for the construction of a new building for the Commission has been awarded by the General Services Administration and construction is scheduled to be completed by March 1963. Therefore, $400,000 is included in these estimates to proA'ide funds for preparing plans and si)ecifications for the necessary remodeling of the existing Civil Service Commission Building for art gallery purposes.

The act of September 6, 1958. authorized and directed the Smithsonian Institution to prepare plans and specifications for the construction of a National Air Museum. Preliminary technical studies have been completed and administrative planning of the functional design of the building continues. A re<iuest for funds for architec-tural plans and specifications will be submitted in a subsequent year.

In addition to the above projects, construction is continuing on the Museum of History and Technology on Constitution x\venue between 12th and 14th Streets N\V.; completion and opening of the building are scheduled for 1962.

Addition to the Natural History Building

Object classification [In thousands of dollars]

Personnel summary

I960 actual

1961 estimate

1962 estimate

Average number of all employees

Number of employees at end of year.

JuSTiriCATION or THE ESTIMATE

Mr. KiRWAN. We will insert, pages 21 through 23 of the justification into the record.

(The matter referred to follows:)

Construction of Additions to the Natural History Building

justification

The sum of $5,310,000 is included in the budget for the fiscal year 1962, to complete the additions to the Natural History Building by constructing the authorized west wing. (It is anticipated that an amendment to the budget will be submitted, to the Congress to reduce the amount of the request from $5,310,000 to $4,336,000, on the basis of the favorable bid subsequently received for construction of the east wing.)

The need for the completion of this critically important construction project for the Smithsonian Institution is based on detailed studies by the Public Buildings Service and the Smithsonian Institution's staff. These studies indicate that the most satisfactory means of providing and operating the additional facilities required by the Museum of Natural History is to erect the long-authorized wings, including such alterations and improvements as may be necessary to integrate the wings with the existing building. Congressional acceptance of this project was received with the provision of a major portion of the necessary funds in the fiscal year 1961.

66739—61-

-58

TREE MAINTENANCE

In the tree maintenance section we are requestino^ a hydraulic equipment operator and laborer. The hydraulic equipment operator is to operate our sky hoist while our tree maintenance men—these are trained and qualified tree workers—while they are up in the trees doing the work. At the present time we have two of these men. You can realize when a man is up in the tree, he wants another highly qualified man backing him up. This is not something that we can say to a laborer, here, you handle this machine, you are in charge of this man's life while he is in the tree. We are requesting a qualified man so that both tree maintenance men can be in the trees at the same time.

This equipment was granted back in 1961, and it has been wonderfully efficient in eliminating our backlog of dangerous, overage, diseased trees for the safety of the public. At the present time it is operated by the skilled treemen. They are doing the operation. "We would like to have a man to operate the equipment so the treemen can spend their time in the trees where they belong.

We are also requesting one additional laborer to assist the tree section with the on-the-ground work, once the trees are down, cleaning up, taking care of the laborer work necessary to support the treemen.

In this action we are requesting also money for supplies and materiel and equipment.

Mr. Natcher. Mr. Santangelo, do you have any questions ?

Mr. Santangelo. Dr. Reed, if a machine were granted to you for cleaning, would that eliminate the need for another laborer?

Dr. Eeed. The workload we have for our laboring crew is such that we still feel the need of these laborers within the zoo. The granting of the machine means that the laborers are going to l>e able to accomplish more in that they will be more efficiently used and more work will be done.

My program of developing and keeping the park clean is based both on people doing the work and machines; without basing it on the efficient modem machines, I would eventually be requesting more and more people.

The crew is planned to use the machines so that we do not need as large a crew, but this position I am requesting now we feel is quite necessary.

Mr. Santangelo. In other words, your position is you need both ?

Dr. Reed. My position is we need both, and I am' hoping in the future we would need fewer laborers because we have the machines.

Mr. Santangelo. No further questions.

Mr. Natcher. Dr. Reed, we want to thank you and the members of your staff for an excellent presentation. Mr. Bradley, the same applies to you. We appreciate your attendance before our committee today.

Dr. Reed. Thank you.

Mr. Bradley. Thank you, sir.