National Republican., 1874-06-01

" per cent contingent,
1as
Which makes a cents per linear foot
once, ertending through q suficIent length Of 4
street, and when successful. then go on larger
scale. ADoLR CLuss.
lG-S-Ta
The lnclosed space on New York avenue would,
in my opinion, be q ft place for the test. A. y.
That the work was properly as well a. In
dustriously performed is not controVerted In
the evidence, and the price was cautiously fixed
by the board upon the estimates furnished by
its chief engineer, whose advice they sought
The whole criticism in respect to this work is
the profit which an industrious, painstaking
and honest contractor was enabled to earn. He
received only certificates, which can hardly be
sold so as to reimburse the actual expenditure.
Is this "minor abuse" which justifes either
expensive investigation or eloquent invectiyei
With still less justice can the board be ar
raigned for its administration in respect to
sodding, parking and the planting Of trees
This important department of the municipal
adornment was committed by the board to, q
parking commission Of the most accomplished
and experienced persons. William R. Smith,
the president of the commission, is superin-
tendent of the Botanical Garden; one of his
associates, Mr.. Saunders, is In charge of the
Agricultural Gardens, while his other col
league, Mr.. Saul, Is nursery-man of .expe-
rience in this city. In this District more
competent commission could not have been
formed. -.-
The president of the commission says in his
testimony, p. 1456:
We give our services without fee or reward, ex-
cept the honor we expect for being associated
with the planting Of this city with trees.
Q. During the active progress OF the work did
you meet for consultation once week? A. Yes,
sir; whenever necessity required anything to be
consulted about, We met eyery Thursday evening.
z. Have you and your associates taken pride
and interest in this WORK and given II your best
attention. A. We have.
Upon the suggestion of the commission, a
nursery for trees was established by the board.
In respect to the quality of trees planted, the
following extracts from Mr.. Smiths testimony
are pertinent. (See PIP. 1453, 1855, 1850
Q. What has been the quality of trees planted
in this manner under direction OF the board? A.
The best collection OF trees planted In the streets
of any ety In the world. l was looking last night
at Horstmans list and his best tree is our Ameri-
use use the term, meanest tree. We 20 and take the
higher class. For instance, In one street (SlI-
teenth street) we put magnificent tulip poplar,
Again we yentured and are inclined to transplant
here the Chicago maple: another magnificent tree
not tried anywhere else in the sire cts.
Mr.. Hamilton. They are in my place.
Mr.. Wilson. We have got the prettiest ones you
ever saw at my home.
got them in a wholesale way in the streets. We
have them here; also in Georgetown they had
magnificent ones. The finest tree We have proba-
bly, selected for the avenues is the American elm,
of which there is q magnificent specimen, sup
posed to have been planted by General Washing
ion, right out here. That avenue out there Is
planted with them, and on the avenues generally
we are planting elms-the English elms. The
English elm has given bad reputation to the
ems in this country, because It is eaten up by in
sects. One of our chief troubles is the insect.
They are small enemies but so numerous that it
is more difficult to overcome them than larger
ones:
@. would like to have your general opinion as
to the course which the Board OF Public Works
pursued in psEkPs.shs EsRs5nI plan and ar
the cost except in the matter of trees and the
price paid for sodding. have no knowledge. The
while was opposed to some Of them at frst, !
have changed my opinion in toto-they are rignt,
and was wrong. In the natter Of Msssachu-
setts avenue, for instance, thought for long
time and was very zeaious and anxious to SECURE
its parking in the centre. Certain plans that
had In common with my associates were thvarted
by that feature that would have been an inter
esting one. was very anxious to see along that
magnificent avenue all our American oaks, for
instance, in which take special delight: But
think that the plan adopted now BY the Board
Of Public Works will make It the most magnif-
cent avenue probably, IA the world. -Four rows
eiOusly, Will be a magnificent feature If carried
out. You can see specimens Of the American
lIndens as It is proposed to train them, in the Bo
seen1sUnter den Linden" in Berlin, and think
this viii far exceed that The American linden
is superior to the European linden for the pur-
and our tree grows much higher, but strange to
say, they have not adopted It to any great extent
anywhere else except here. It is the first time, 1
think. We came to that as necessity. We were
disappointed in our plans and adopted this, and
noythink, for artistic beauty, It will make the
most maguihcent avenue on the face Of the earth
In any city.
The reasonableness of the cost of tree-plant-
ing is thus shown (see PIP. 1452-1453) BY Mr..
Smith:
Q. Do you know what the price Of planting
trees under the board has been including pur-
chase sil % and pisntingi a; A. We We recommend Ger
act cost, because one Of the contingencies is the
accidents that occur to trees in the streets They
Everything. In fact, seems to be an enemy. mem n And
malicious boys also destroy our work One OF the
worst troubles is the malIcIously mIsehisvous
q. What is your estimate Of the cost: A. Here
is paper. The estimate is six dollars.
q. WIN you give the items that enter into that
read as fOlloHs:l
Hon. Board Of Public Works: " 'p''' - 'o'-
e. GESTLENEs; In answer to your request, asking
ing, the following statement is submitted:
l. COLLECTING surf.ce-easth and street manure and
pIegns snG snS SISess pleEiass oas Sas soie sa%' "
8. Removing clay from hole, three loads 75I
1. Hauling prepared earth, three loads IS
5. Cost Of tree, insured to grow Is
That, I think, is Q little too low; but In making
up this estimate, Mr.. Saunders and myself had
70 guess a. near as possible at these various
IThe witness resumed the reading ss fellovs:l
Planting and transportation fron nursery to
depot, - - % %
T. Box, 9oI
8. Stakes for box; putting up and strap
ping trees, IS
Q. Whitewsshing boxes and repairing
damages to same for one year., 30
TO- Repairing around the tree, 90
IL Distributing box, 10
Total, % 90
Respectfully submitted,
W. r. SMITH, Chairman.
WIN. SAUNDERS,
Secretary Parking Commission.
q What have you to say In regard 10 the res
or unreasona bleness OF that estimate?
Lnl AknaI L. G.I-