Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-29
FLORISTS WILL FIGHT
Increasing Opposition to Free Distribution
Of Government Flowers,
Another Letter Sent to the Secretary
of War Pertinent to the Subject
The Law Covering It.

The meeting of the Commercial Florists
Association. held last night. at the Hotel
johnson. and presided over by Mr.. J. F.
Freeman, was largely attended, and there
was great enthusiasm shown when Mr.
freeman announced that 1t was the inten-
ton OF the florists to stop the free distri-
button OF flowers by the government even
II 1t became necessary to go 10 Congress
The meeting was devoted solely TO this
subject. and many evidences were given of
the determination of the association and
the excellent manner in which the fight
1t Is waging is being organized. The florists
one and all declared they would push the
contest to finish and would win it without
question.
A letter was drawn up, addressed to Sec
retdry Alger, and was signed by Mr.. Free
man as president of the Commercial Flor
lists Association.
Referring to the answer of the Secretary
of War to the letter from Mr.. N. Studer
and other florists. complaining of the free
distribution of flowers and plants grown in
government nurseries and green houses,
the letter continued as follows:
we beg leave to express our regret that
you should deem it inadvisable to give the
subject under considers, ZION your personal
attention, or at least refer the matter to a
dislnterested party for consideration and
report.
1T could hardly be expected that either
the chief of engineers. lately superntend-
emit Oh public buildings and grounds, or the
present superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, would condemn their own ac-
tons, and therefore We are not surprised
to receive practical copy of a letter writ
ten first by Gen John A. Wilson, Lieut..
Sewall and Col. Bingham, respectively, sew
eral months ago, all of which seemed to
have been inspired from the same source,
and which in no wise answers the criticisms
off rod h,rt I, a. w
Diversion of Large Sums.
I'VE insist that very large sums of money
are being diverted from their legitimate
purposes. viz, the decoration of parks and
public reservations, and are being used for
the production of flowers which, under no
circumstances, can be used for the adorn-
ment of public reservations but instead are
distributed to favored class greatly to
the detriment of the said reservations
which are shamefully neglected, consider
ing the enormous sum appropriated, this
greatly to our detriment as citizens and
business men.
I'VE insist that If the money be legiti-
matey expended the various parks and
reservations can be kept in a very much
higher state of beauty, and that such being
the case all citizens of the District of CO.
lumbia and of the United States visiting
here would share equally in the enjoyment
of such improvement and adornment. Be
lieving that this subject deserves more re-
spectful and considerate treatment than has
thus far been accorded it, We again ask you
to give the matter the earnest considera-
ton it so richly deserves.
A Law Quoted.
"If it is your pleasure we should be glad
to appoint committee to personally pre-
sent our side of the case to you, believing
that We can throw new light on the sub
1ect, and enable you to see the matter from
a different point of view. In conjunction
with our protest We respectfully call your
attention to the following law which stands
unrepealed
Provided, That hereafter only such
trees, shrubs and plants shall be propa-
gated at the green houses and nurseries as
are suitable for planting in the public res
ervations, to which purpose only the prod
ucts of said nurseries and green houses
shall be applied"