Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-09
THE PETITION DENIED
REGULATION FOR SHADE TREES
TO BE MAINTAINED.
Col. Biddle's Reasons for Refusing to
Comply With Request Made by
Business Men.

Engineer Commissioner Biddle has declin
ed to grant the petition of business men on
G street between 7th and 9th streets north
west that no shade trees be planted on the
north side of G street between the streets
mentioned The petitioners claimed that
trees darken their show windows and the
interior of their business establishments,
prevent a view of their signs, and are 9TH
erwise Objectionable
Continuing. the petitioners said with ref
erence to planting trees on G. street:
THE planting of trees here would mark
the place outside the business section,
and thus be a discrimination as Injurious to
us as it would be unjust and unreasonable
The objection to trees in front of business
houses has prevailed in this city, SO that on
this street every tree has been removed
from 9TH to 18th streets except the four
large trees just west of Sth street. Trees
were removed from in front of the Boston
House and Palais Royal
In numerous other cases you have recog-
nized as reasonable the objection to trees in
the business sections. and we feel sure you
VIII not allow any discrimination against
the section now involved,
The Signatures.
The petition is signed by the following:
John r. Major. druggist; G. A. Young BIZ
cycle dealer; o. E. Duffy, patent attorney:
r. l.. Nichols. machnist F. Scha fhirt sign
painter; J. d. Burns & Co.. merchant
tailors; w. A. Hahn. dyer; Joseph H. Ire
land, gentlemen's furnishings: c. w. Jones.
restaurant keeper: w. II. Fisher dyer; O.
H. Hoover tobacconist; George w Herold
tailor; Charles j. Klein and w H. Britton
In ms comment on the matter Col. Biddle
says ne does not remember any cases
Wnere trees have been removed from a
street on account Of it's being a business
ihoroughfare. number of trees he said
have been planted Pennsylvania ave-
nue., business street and in several other
instances he has refused requests for re-
moval of trees business streets
On and G street in the business sec
ton, 1t is true. the trees were practically
all cut down., says the Commissioner
But this was done some years ago and
apparently, was done in order that vaults
might be constructed under the sidewalk
there are number of very important
business streets in this city such as 14th
street, 18th street between Pennsylvania
avenue and Connecticut avenue. the bust
ness section of III street and the business
portion of Connecticut avenue, and many
others, where the existing trees do not seem
to interfere with the business carried on
on these streets.
Policy of the Commissioners.
The policy of the Commissioners in the
last few years has been that where the
sidewalk was wide enough for tree, the
tree should be planted. l should never
have recommended the widening of G street
at this point if had thought that the trees
would not be planted. The actual location
of the curb was adopted in order to save
some large trees already existing.
1T would therefore seem contrary to the
present policy of the Commissioners not to
plant new trees on G street between 7th
and 9th streets. Personally, / do not think
that they will in any way interfere with
such business as will be carried on in that
locality"
At the conclusion of his statement. Col
Biddle moved that the trees be planted
The Commissioners also declined to grant
the request of Wolf & Cohen to trim d
tree at 14th and G streets the signs
the windows of the second floor of the
building at this corner would show
He feared it would be detrimental to the
life of the tree.