Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-27
Their Protest Against Free Distri-
button of Government Flowers.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT STUDER
The Grounds Upon Which Appeal
for Relief is Made.
STATUS OF THE CASE

ton filed with the Secretary of War by the
florists of Washington against the further
free distribution Of the plants and cut flow
ers from the government green houses to
government officials and other individuals
promises to continue. In reply to the vari-
Gus resolutions passed upon the subject by
the florists of Washington and Baltimore,
the Secretary of War stated that the chief
of engineers. Col. Bingham. to whom the
matter was referre., reported that the GUS
tom of distributing flowers that may be in
bloom at the propagatng gardens is one of
long standing and is understood to have
been in existence ever since the construc-
ton of the green houses at the nursery
over third of a century ago. In conclud-
ing his letter, the Secretary said:
1T seems to be proper thing to send
out to hospitals, fairs, festivals and
churches and to prominent government Off
Gals and others, these pretty blooms rather
than to permit the flowers to fade and die
upon the shrubs. and there appears to be no
legal objection to using for the cultivation
of flowers for decorative purposes at large
and important functions. when not other
wise occupied, the available area of glass
SO necessary during about One-half the year
for propagating the half million plants used
in assisting in the summer decoration of the
public parks
THE custom in this matter has been fire.
Congress, and the fact reported that while
under the law the loan gift of the plants
was constantly courteously refused. the
blooms were gladly distributed so far as the
limited quantity would admit"
The Florists Contention.
The Secretary's letter was addressed to
Mr.. n. Studer and other local florists. In
conversation with Star reporter this
morning MIR. Studer said there seemed to
be a desire On the part of some government
officials to dstort facts and make the cause
of the florists unpopular.
Il would like TO state exactly what our
just complaint is said Mr.. Studer. I'VE
florists do not object to the introduction or
the distribution of rare or new plants
bulbs, seeds or cuttings by government in
situations or to the giving of cut flowers
from strawberries grown at the propa eating
gardens to church fairs and to hospitals as
stated. We do, however, earnestly object
10 government Interference and COMPETE
tlon with the ordinary and every day prod
ucts OF florists. 1t is unjust and unbccom-
ing in mighty nation"
After referring to the general interest be-
ing TAKE in the matter by the florists
throughout the country, and reciting the
action of the local florists in requesting
Colonel Bingham to discontinue the al
legged custom of allowing government
grown flowers to be sold in open compete
ton with the products of private florists
Mr.. Studer stated that Colonel Bingham
| had replied that he would continue the es-
tabhShed custom until otherwise direct ed
by high authority, and referred the object
ors to the Secretary of War.
Congress- in 1875" said Mr. Studer .passeJ
law which has never been repealed and
which provided that hereafter only such
trees shrubs and plants shall be proDagat-
ed at the green houses and nurseries as are
suitable for planting in the public rescrva-
iioas TO which purpose only the products
oi the green houses and nurseries shall be
applied
1T can hardly he possible that Col Binc
Fam. superintendent of public buildings ana
grounds. is ignorant Of that law but now
that 1t Is called to his attention it would
DC interesting to know what higher author
ity he wants."
stock of District Installations
Continuing, Mr.. Studer said: I'VE also
addressed. i'll September, a letter to the su-
perintendent of charities, suggesting that
ne use the plants and flowers grown at the
Indus trial Home School and at the reform
schcol for identifying the grounds around
school houses and fire engine houses police
stations or hospitals, instead Of selling them
in open competition with the products of
private florists. Instead of receiving sat
lsfactory answer from the superintendent
| of charities. We see that another thousa nd
dollars mas been asked for for new green
! mouse. 10 be erected at the Industrial Home
School. The latest report of the Industrial
/ Home School shows that the greenhouse
venture is losing one, still 81 900 is asked
Tor another greenhouse.
In the last presidential campaign the
principal object advanced was higher tariff
| as a protection of home industries against
foreign pauper labor. We, as florists have
| 10 pay and do cheerfully pay the imposed
| duty of - per cent advalorem and more for
| imported plants, bulbs, seeds and other
supplies, and in this way contribute TO
| Uncle SANS treasury. We also paw our
n con
| tribute in general and local taxes to the
| maintenance of the Industrial Home and
| reform schools, and in this compulsory
way help furnish the knife which cuts our
trade in competition with this home paupeT
| labor. They sell their products in open
| markets or otherwise, regardless of cost of
| production. because they say they have TO
| sell them. 1t is not SO much the quantity
or quality of the products they sell, but
| the selling at less than living prices, be-
| cause they do not have to pay for their
| labor.
The Washington Parks.
ut will be interesting to give some facts
about our parks here in Washington, !"
| continued Mr.. Studer. well, there are in
| the city of Washington under the control
| or the commissioner of public buildings
| ana grounds 800 reservations and public
parks, varying in size from few hundred
| feet to eighty acres. For maintaining the
| government nurseries and these reserva-
| tons Congress appropriated for the fiscal
| year ending June 30, 1898 S95 600 This
| does not include the maintenance of the
| botanical or agricultural gardens, the
| White House conserVatories and grounds
! or the CAPITOL and library grounds. OF
| the reservations, ninety-four were highly
| improved years ago with trees and shrub
| berry, thrty-nne are partially improved
| and the balance urimproved. according tc
| official reports. In these parks were plant
| cd altogether this last season 1i5 flower
| beds, containing each about 2eO feet OF
| ground. OF these twenty-five We're in
| cannas, thirty-four In geraniums, thirty
| four i'll coleus. acnSranthes, alterranthera
| and such; eighteen with vincas, ten with
| scarlet sage, four with palms and other
| tropical plants and the balance with mixed
| cheap stuff.
| Now, If there were propagated at the
| gov eminent nurseries 100000 plants for the
| above purpose, stated by the chief OF
| Ell gineers, there mCst have been planted
| exclusive of the Gamma and exotic beets,
about twenty plants to each square foot
| Any ordinary fiower-Srower knows that
Icanna roots are stored away under benches
&c, until planting time. and all the rest
l,.r IN1l1 -