Evening star., 1901-07-13
The Career and Character of William
R. Smith.
FATHER OF FLOWERS And TREES
Characteristic Views of the Canny
Scot on Men and Things.
B U rms AND CA RN E G. I Z

The nearer man gets to nature the
more vivid becomes his vision of her bene.i-
cence and his understanding of her pur-
poses. Such close communion makes him
the intimate of the good DANES moods
and equips him with ability TO know the
characteristics of her children, be they hu-
man or otherwise. Probably no one in this
country enjoys such familiarity in greater
degree than Mr.. William r. Smith super
intendent of the Botanic Gardens. who has
been fifty termed the father of flowers and
trees. Big and brawny six feet of broad
athletic figure can make a canny Scot, he
carries his years like his figure with youth
full yigor, and when one enjoys talk with
him it is quickly perceptible that his men
tai processes are equally as lusty. Equipped
with knowledge of men and things pos
seSsing keen discrimination, cherishing a
deep love for the true and a hearty hatred
of shams. he is always an entertain
Ing companion and an ideal host. His
love for the plowman poet. Robert Burns.
IS as unbounded as his affection for
natures green and blossOming growths.
and a visitor to the cozy two-stOry resi-
dence which he occupies in the Botanic
Gardens finds himself in an apartment
lined with bookshelves bearing priceless
editions of Burns, and above them pictures
and engravings of the immortal Scotch
singer. 1t was here an Evening Star re-
porter found Mr.. Smith Tuesday afternoon.
Outside the bees were busily scudding from
bud to blossom and back again, and the
tW liter of birds seemed to ring satisfied
defiance to the street noises from the ave-
nue. The reporter had been Informed that
MIR. Smith intended going to Scotland, and
called to inquire about his trip He found
that it would not be undertaken for about
a month, but that 1t would include a visit
to Mr.. Andrew Carnegie at Skibo Castle,
where Mr.. Smith has been a guest hereto
fore The two men entertain a very deep
and strong love for each other.
The BURNS CoJIecfiOn
Yes, I'll spend some days with Mr.. Car
negie.' said Mr.. Smith. I'VE met each
other twelve years ago out there in the
gardens, and 1 brought him in here to see
my Burns collection OF course he was In
terested. and since then we have become
intimate. and we are working together to
make my collection the finest In the world,
1t is already the best in America, but
there is one in Glasgow that surpasses 1t.
have 80 diffel mt editions. of which lis
scripts as l would like. They are very
precious. but a number may be obtained
None can estimate the influence Robert
Burns has exerted on mankind His poetry
has been the greatest uplifting force of
industrial civilization His mans q man
for a that has never been surpassed, in
my opinion. in what it teaches except when
Jesus said TO His disciples Love one an
other What a pity il is that Christians
do not follow that greatest of all comma nd
ments Burns life story shows that from
in libraries for the people. That tendency
seems 10 be Il Scotch disease
characteristics of Andrew Carnegie.
Mr.. Carnegie. You know, is similarly
affected Like Burns too. Carnegie be
lieves in ;hc universal brotherhood of man.
IL is the most remarkable man know. l
do Mt mean that he is the most intellectual.
but in his capacity for mathenatically
solving questions Of business he is a mar
vel Tner- are TWO articles to his creed.
The first is to help those who are willing
and anxious To help themselves; the second
Is peace on earth and good will to men
He is confident. and 50 am I. that the
time viii come when civilized nations will
turn away from nan-hiliing with as much
rtvuiSioH as they now turn away from
man-eating- Carnegie's essay on Burns 1
regard as one of the finest contributions to
the subject. l anticipate great pleasure in
seeing my old friend again. We have so
many sympathies in common
No one loves his work more than Mr..
Smith. and the government mas never had
servant more faithful jealous in the
performance of his duties. Since 1853 he
has followed his present lines for the gov
ernment and is regarded q foremost
world authority on horticulture.
Advance of HORTICULTURE
''N1thing has been astonishing" he
said las the advance of horticulture in the
past twenty-five years. 1t has been moth
ing less than marvellous Ralph Waldo
Emerson said. you will remember Flowers
were made for the service of the soul
Plants formerly grown by a few collectors
now grown by florists for the people.
The people themselves have taken up hOrti-
culture quarter of a century ago there
were. for instance. but eight specimens of
the fern palm in this country. two of which
Were in WashingtOn-One belonged to w.
w COrcOran and the other was here In the
gardens Now there are 3,rD.0o such
plants growing in pots over the country.
8 sud inc fl4r h all HF,riG
are flowers and plants for the people
II believe you have been called the father
Of Washinston's beautiful trees suggest
ed the reporter
Some friends overpraising words"
smiled Mr. Smith II did happen to be
chairman Of the parking commission un-
der the territorial government when Gov.
Alexander r. Shepherd carried out his
magnificent scheme for making Washington
what the nations capital city should be.
The Parking Commission.
II was always Shepherd man, thank
God. CALCULATED Mr. Smith at this point.
"and those who were not have lived TO see
his mighty genius recognized and exalted
There were three members of that parking
commission. John Saul. who took little or
no interest in the work, dear old William
Saunders. who was potential in everything
he undertook, and myself. We put ont be-
tween 6o.en and 70.00o trees. Eventually the
duties of the commission We're usurped by
Others and | can frankly say that our
tree system here is in great danger Hney
should be cared for more sensbly Trees
that need trimming numerous and
should be trimmed constantly. Others need
no trimming and should be let alone. But
under present conditions no expert knoWl-
edSe seems TO be eXerted in their treat
ment here in Washington. The system
needs to be and should be reformed
"Speak king of Governor Shepherd reminds
me of an incident that occurred one night
at dinner out at his country place
Bleak House In the course of il / was
toasted as president of the parking COM
mission. and replying 10 the compliment
tary illusions about the commissions
work said IL was largely due to the excel
lent instructions it had been given by the
governor / went to dwell upon these
instructions, when Shepherd became impa-
tient and asked, Smith what were those
Instructions. anyhow? / then related that
when | had called him after nv an
pointment and asked him wh&. the COM
mission should do he mad calculated oh
well, Smith, just it 3"