New-York tribune., 1902-02-05
TREELESS NEW-YORK.
NO RESPECT SHOWN THE FEW TREES
ON THE BOULEvARD-"DECEN
WAYS OF TREATING THEM"

New-fork's treeless condition and the possibility
OF providing remedy the subjects that
sased the attention of the Women's Health Pro-
tectlVe Association at its meeting yesterday after
noon. One member created a sensation by boldly
aVoWlng that she remembered New-York fifty
years ago. adding that it had trees then. Others
spoke OF the futile efforts of twenty years to
courage trees to grow, and there seemed 10 be
general feeling that modern civilization as exem-
culture
Inc discussion was incident 10 a talk by Datus
= Smith, chairman Of the executive committee OF
the Tree Planting Association. whose address
divided into four heads: Trees: Do We Want
Them" Shall We Have Them?' ''Win They
Grow" Who Should Care for Them7'
Inc condition of the trees on the Boulevard is
positively demoralizing to the community" de-
clared Mr.. Smith. Many have been allowed to
ole without reason. month ago magnificent
elm at least a foot in diameter stood where to-
DAY It's dismenlbered trunk is lying. There was no
necessity for IT'S destruction. Ii stood several feet
away from the subway excavation and all that 1t
needed was trihing bit OF Snoring keep 1t in
pace as the loosened earth gradually caved away.
Just log or two and a few minutes would have
saved 1t, but the wOrkmen did not care; nobody
cared. So IT fell and cut up
The trees that standing have derricks at
tached to them, and being Ftrained and injured
so that they probably will die. too. That is not
decent way to treat tree, and we can never
haye M trees unless we learn to respect them"
S1nlth believes that II Is the business of the
tGs tGsy 10 PROVIDE and care for trees. He asked
II ne thought that it the province of the Park
commission, and answered: 1T ought to be. They
ousht 10 attend to it-but they have They
90 not even plant trees in the parks
.druIy expect them to put them in the streets
seward Park has not single tree in 1t, and 1 have
beeil told that there is another park in the
condition. n strange lack of intelligence has run
through all the administrations of late years-even
inc reform one of few years ago. II Is to be
reared that the same lack Of intelligence will char
acterize the present"
Some of the members said that their trees had
peen destroyed by leakage from gas mains. but Mr.
Srnlth took the optimistic view that other cities
nave gas. yet nave many and fine trees Why not
Inls CITY! he regards trees a necessary part
OF the beauty OF city, and urged every member
OF the association to aid in Cuttvatng sentiment
in the direction of tree planting
Mrs. Ralph Irautman, the president asked the
speaker II trees would grow in the tenement dis
trlCts we need them there more than anywhere
ana am convinced that they would thrive
something in that line and have money enough to
plant hfty trees this spring the lower East Side
we shal! put them before settlements. boys clubs
and such institutions and the guards around
them Shall place tablet with this inscription: A
GIT to the children. Be friend to It, or
thing OF that nature"
Or. Lederle. president Of the Board Of Health
was expected TO talk sanitary problems but
after the meeting began Mrs Trautrnan received a
note saying that he had been called testify in the
Patrick case, and was compelled TO be in court
Mrs. Trautman said that the street railroad Of
fcias are having larger and more impressive signs
on tho splitting nuisance prepared, and intend TO
try to enforce the law more vigorously in the mat
ter.
After the meeting salads and other refreshments
Mrs. Trautman. Mrs. Emily Spencer and Mrs. S. B.
Crowcll.