The times., 1897-12-29
FLORISTS PROTEST.
They Reply TO Secretary AlGer's
Answer and Quote Law on Him.

/ 4 neDIN To sttCTttdES ai1ei
Answer and Quote Law on Him.
The Commercial Florists Association held
another nice ting to discuss the pra actice OF
| giving away cut flowers from the GOV
ernment conseryatories, at the Hotel John
! sou, last night.
| A reply TO the letter of Secretary Ayers
answer To their plans was drafted, and VIII
be forwarded to him today.
1t follows:
Washington. u C., Dec. rs, 81.
''T,~the Honorable Secretary of War:
AT a meeting of the Commercial Florists
! Association of the District OF Columbia, held
tonight the following was agreed upon in
answer to Your letter. addressed TO Mr.. n.
Stuter and other Florists, complaining of
the distribution OF flowers and other pro
ducts OF the greenhouse anti nurseries under
the charge of the superintendent of public
buildings and grounds
''Wc beg to express orr regret that you
should deem il iuadvisa BILE to give the
subject under consideration your personal
attention. or at least refer the matter to
dsinterested party for consideration and
report.
1T could hardly be expected that either
Of public buildings and grounds, or the
present commissioner Of public buildings
and grounds would condemn their own
actions, and therefore we are not sur
prised to receive practical copy o { letters
written 10y Gen. JOHN NJ. Wilson, Lieut..
Sewall and Col Bingham. respectively,
severa, months ago, all of which seem
to have been inspired from the same
v,1 tt-h in " tlr
criticism OF the florists of Washington.
Eve in sist that very large sums Of
money are being diverted from their
! legitimate purposes, viz, the decoration
of public reservations, and are being used
for the produ ction of flowers which,
under no circumstances. can be used for
the decoration OF the public reservations,
but are distributed to a favored class,
greatly to the detTiment OF said rcscrva-
tions which are shameFullv neglected, con
sdering the enormous sums appropriated
for their adornment, and also greatly To
our detriment as citizens and business
men.
We insist that all nj the money appro-
priated he legitimately expended. The
various parks and reservations can be kept
In a very much hishar state OF beatty, and
the District of Columbia, and of the United
States, visiting here, would have an eq Ial
share il the enjoyment OF such improve
ment aud adornment.
Believing that this subject deserves
more respectful ana consideratc treatment
than has thus far been extended to it, we
again ask you 10 give the matter tie
earnest consideration il deserves.
iS nj 1-a u. D.
glad to appoint committee to personally
present our side uf the case to yon, be
Iieving that We can throw new light on
the subject, tins enabling yuu 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 unrepea led
=" Provided, That hereafter only such
trees, shrubs, and plants shall be propa
gated at tie greenhouse and nurseries as
are suitable for planting in :he public
reservation, to which purpose only the
products OF the greenhouse and nurseries
shall be applied. Respectfully yours,
u X. FREEMAN,
President Commercial Florists Assoca-
tion.'
Mr.. Joseph Il. Freeman said to Times
reporter last night:
The florists win push this fight as
Far as they can. They are not through
with il yet, as they feel assured that the
people VIII be with them in it. The
people and the city are injured by this
growing of flowers TO lie given away as
much a. the florists are.
A few people benefit by receiving cut
flowers, but much Government money is
spent wrongfully and contrary to law,
which should be put into flower beds that
everybod- could enjoy"