Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-19

OF the Department OF Agriculture began
the distribution of trees in addition to
garden, field and flower seeds among mem
bers Of congress. These ~saplings were
divided into two classes, ornamental and
useful. 1t was hoped hat the recipients Of
the young trees would report from time
to time to the department as to the success
which they met with in this new line of
arbor culture. But these hopes have not
yet been realized. Now a new departure
is contemplated. 1t is proposed to get into
communication with the superintendents
Of parks in all the large cities of the coun-
try and to secure their assistance. These
superintendents who are willing to aid in
the investigation will be supplied with
young trees Of species foreign to their
neighborhood and they will be asked to
care for them properly and to report prog
ress. 1t is believed that the result will be
the naturalization of a number Of beautiful
foreign growths heretofore little known in
the United States which will add much to
the beauty of urban breathing places and
that possibly valuable nut AID fruit-bearing
trees will be added to the list Of native
growths.
Women Block Turkey Deal.
There are in round numbers 1900 en-
plOy6b VI all BIdut5 III the government
printing ONCE in this city. In the winter
OF 18SS-s9 there were about 5000 men and
women employed in the building. Probably
that small army of servants of the gov
eminent never heard how hfty-hve girls
employed in the bindery prevented the dis
tribution of 5000 terkeys on the day before
Christmas, 1888.
Mr.. Peters, chief clerk Of the Navy de-
%partment, told the story to a party Of navy
officers the other evening. ON November,
1885," said Mr.. Peters, Secretary Whitney
postponed the preparation of his annual
report until a very late day. In fact, It
was not until the Thursday before the
Saturday on which it must be mailed that
he began the dictation. But he was a rusher
when he started, and the document was
written, printed, bound in pamphlet form
and mailed before midnight on Saturday.
THE secretary himself visited the gov
eminent printing ONCE and watched the
work Of the compositors, pressmen and
binders. and was greatly pleased over the
interest which everyone seemed to take in
helping us out. On Tuesday OF the follow
ing week, Just two days before Thanksgiv-
ing, Mr.. Whitney sent for me and said:
'Mr. Peters, / wish you would go to the
market and buy a turkey for each and
N'CAy SmPASJO VI hHO government printing
Office
but, Mr., Secretary / replied, 1t would
require 5000 turkeys to fill that order
1T makes no difference II 5000 would
be needed, buy them.
1T is impossible I said, there are not
5000 unsold turkeys to be had in Washing
ton today
Then said he, ascertain the names OF
the men who had the principal part in get
ting out the report. get a turkey for each
today, and order the necessary number
5000 or 5000, and see that they are de-
livered in time for Christmas
Under these instructions nine turkeys
were sent TO the printing ONCE tina day
The next morning the secretary received
ten letters. Nine were notes Of thanks and
the other was a letter from h~fty-hve girl
in the bindery who demanded a turkey eaci
because Of the part they had taken in get.
ting out the report. AS soon as he haC
read that letter the secretary OF the nav
sent for me and handing the letter ovel
said:
"Mr. Peters, I have gone out of tn,
turkey business
Nothing further was necessary. Tn,
Christmas distribution was not made ant
all on account OF the haste Of hfty-hv,
women TO get recognition for their serv.
ices"