New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-04

them IL cut IN and stored in their cellars and back
yards When they learned that. either by law or
custom-which amounts to the same thing IN such
matters-the trees when telled the property OF
the resident before whose house they had stood. a
dead made At Commissioner Hentz. the
predecessor Of Commissioner Ilanen. the present
incumbent. 10 have him order the general cutting
down OF the ems. He caring more for popularity
than anything else. had no objections TO what at
the time presented Itself as n general wish. and the
evil work was actually begun. But Its Immediate
effect was to awaken the friends Of the trees and
such storm OF Indignation burst forth all the
menaccd district that a halt called. That was
about three years ago
Since last winter the attack has begun again. and
in such a way that Il cannot be contested by senti-
mentalists for the work OF a, sructon Is now car
rsd on in the sacred name OF improvement"
Early In the spring the magnificent elm trees on
both Sides OF one hundred-and-sixty fourth-s from
Morris-ave 10 FleetwOod-ave were all chopped
down and converted into nrewood Within a month
past one hundreds nd thiri-st.. in the same
limits was In like manner robbed OF a lot OF fine
trees that whether deckei with leaves weighted
with snow, were always delight 10 right minded
persons who capable of regarding things from
other points OF view than property value. I"
Tho spoation OF One-hun lrcd ana -sixty-second-st
was perpetrated several years ago. but at Its best
that thoroughfare had less to lose than either OF the
Others mentioned. And for long time all One
hundred nd sixty nrst-st east OF MOrris-lVe mas
been ''mproved' and bare as brass kettle
THE EXCUSE FOR REMOVING ELMS
The excuse made FOR removing the elms from
those streets was the necessity deemed existent for
changes OF grade In some parts there cut
ting down AMI In others filling In to the extent OF
several feet and It was pretended that where such
radical changes had to be made the trees already
there could not be saved But that Is not true
The foreman OF gang OF men engaged In cut
ting down the trees averred that he understood
how 10 Lowell raise and move trees; would gladly
take the contract at $5 tree for saving the
finest slms on one hundred sixty third-st east
OF Morris-ave. and would guarantee the success Of
his work Even II his estimate were too low, II the
cost were four times much it would still be little
to pay for saving the life OF such superb trees.
Not in ffty years. perhaps not even in a hundred.
ould others fine be grown to replace them.
And may readily see the contrast between the
bare. cheerless practicality to which that portion
OF the street has been improved. and the umbra-
geous glory this district LDounced In short time
since. by simply turning the view to that portion
ave. where ,he elms still stand. or along Norris
ave. .which-although some OF the trees were uti-
tied for trewood In the scramble three years ago
Is still delightfully."- shady.
When property yners have been generously plot
have been helping the attainment OF their desires
by killing he trees: One by one TALL sound trees
animation would be found as dead as II they had
been girdled. The foreman OF gang OF men lei-
arsd csHa fo"rths one day last week said
OF the worm pest:
. o%y within, Rns ssw 0ys
already all over the country. and is SO fatal to the
s. VIII not ten be- elm vs on
Continent. The elm leaves twice. once In the spring
Sd hs nf % or The sy a
having laid their eggs under the bark for a new
are. and as they are the trees lungs il can stand