The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-11-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
ESPECIAL correspondenos.l

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tanical gardens, opposite the capitol
grounds, and in preparing the ground
many historic trees may be sacrificed.
II IL said that the plans Of the park
commission, which selected the site,
contemplate changing the whole char
acter OF the park system, extending
from the capitol to the Washington
monument.
Authorized by Congress.
| at the last session of congress per
mission was given TO the park com
mission to erect the statue on ian I'M
occupied part Of the botanical gar
dens." The commission selected for
the monuments site a spot at the east
ern end Of the gardens, directly in
front Of the main gate. Far from be-
ing an unoccupied spot, the site select
ed contains more historic trees than
any other equal space in the gardens.
One OF the first trees TO feel the Ak
was a huge oak that was planted by
Senator Rowland Of Michigan.
The crittsnden Oak.
mighty oak planted In 1868 by
Senator John ]. Crittenden Of Ken
lucky must be another victim unless
the plans can be changed, while be-
side the Crittenden tree stands an elm
planted by Senator Beck. Crittenden's
colleague, from a slip from a tree
planted by George Washington in the
capitol grounds. From a similar slip
an elm was also planted by Boss"
Shepherd. once governor OF Washing
ton.
This great oak IN known as the
"Crittenden peace tree" and acorns
from its boughs have been sent all
over the United States, making 1t the
progenitor OF a very forest Of mighty
trees, rising in every state.
Cannon Champions Trees.
Speaker Cannon opposes the plan OF
the Grant memorial commission 10 cut
down historic trees in the botanical
gardens 10 make way for the proposed
Grant monument
The speaker learned Of the proposed
destruction Of the trees. many OF
which have sentimental value,
through press reports which reached
him while no was in the west. Many
other public men have taken u deep
interest In the preservation Of the
trees. Some OF them have written
strong letters TO the department on
clals asking that the construction Of
the memorial be delayed until the act
Of congress authorizing the erection Of
che monument Ia further considered.
To Move Mashinaton'u Statue.
IL the plans OF Elliott Woods, super.
intendent Of the capitol, materialize
the statue Of George Washington, de-
signed by the sculptor. Horatio Green
ough. win be removed from its pres
ent position at the east front OF the
capitol 70 the national museum. This
statue, which has withstood wintry
blasts and tho bllsterlng sun OF sum
mer for the most part under the shell
ter Of a wooden framework built
around II. has long been a bone Of con-
tontion. Many visitors 10 Washington
object to the scanty attire in which
the Father OF His Country IL repre-
aented. while others say there IL no
use having a statue there at all II It Ia
TO be covered up for long periods.
Not In Keeping With eurroundlnas.
Mr.. Woods now wants TO have the
statue moved. because he thinks 1t b
not In keeping with the present gem
eral arrangement Of the capitol
grounds, The erection Of the new once
buildings for the senate and house, the
library Of congress and other I'm.
provementa which viii follow make |
changes necessary In the general lay.
out OF the capitol grounds. and IN this |
now arrangement Mr.. Woods sees no
place for the Greenough statue.
Zoo improvements.
The $4,000 appropriated by congress
for Improvements to the geological |
park has been well expended, and the /
new walks and roadways are said to |
Be the best macadamized roads in the
District.
Two new steel cages have been erect.
Cd In the bear house. and Taft. the big
brown Alaskan bear. the largest cap
tive bear in the United States, which
has reached the thousand pound mark,
now occupies quarters suited to his
huge bulk
Animals In Fine Fsttla
Zoo keepers report that all their
charges ara In fne health. They are
very proud OF the compliments paid
The animals by the directors OF foreign
Sociological parks who attended the 10.
sent International geological congress
IN this city, The delegates praised the
beauty OF tho park. saying that Il was
he finest geological park they had ever
Been and asserting that the animals
bad been placed a. nearly as possible
n surroundings which resembled their
native haunts. The condition Of the
animals also evoked much favorable
somment from the delegates.
NSw Houses Planned.
Two macaque monkeys. purchased In
New York, have recently been added
o the EOos simian collection. and the
birds Of the PARK have been called
80. .