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Smithsonian, its operation has been financed by appropriations partially form the Treasury and partially from the District in varying proportions. More recently, the Congress authorized the Smithsonian to undertake a program of capital improvements at the Zoo, to take place in stages over a period of ten or more years.

The Smithsonian is responsible under the law for the administration of the Zoo and, in every way except budgeting for its operating expenses, has been responsible for its operation and improvement. The Secretary remarked that he welcomed the idea of having the Zoo funded entirely under the Smithsonian. It is the Secretary's judgement, however, that our appropriation subcommittees would not favor the added burden on their appropriation bills. There is to be expected also that our Congressional Committees would consider the request for operation of the Zoo to be competitive with our requests for other programs.

Accordingly, the Secretary suggested that he be directed to advise the Bureau of the Budget that the Smithsonian does not favor the transfer at this time, without prejudice to considering the transfer at some future time.

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