Evening star., 1907-11-13
Represents Secretary Taft.

other member, is now in the far east on
his way home from an official visit to the
Philippines.
Represents Secretary Taft.
Although Secretary Taft cabled author
ity for Gen. Dodge to represent him on
questions arising before the commission.
the general very evidently hesitates to
shoulder the responsibility in a matter so
important as that under consideration.
The general favors the retention of the
Botanic Garden site, believing, too. that
the opinion of his advisory committee is
worth a good deal and should be needed.
1t is perhaps doubtful whether he will go
so far as to commit Secretary Taft to the
line OF action favored by the advisory COM
mittee.
Gen. Dodge's position regarding the con-
troversy over the site Is indicated by
statements he made this morning:
Grand Army men all over the United
Statas," said Gen. Dodge, would rise up
in anger if they believed for an instant
that the work of erecting a statue to Gen.
Grant is to be stopped account OF a
I have heard little adverse comment, ex-
cepting in Washington. l feel certain that
much feeling would be aroused among
G. A. r. men in all parts of the country If
the erection of the statue were interfered
with In any way.
L
If they are historic. cannot be removed. as
many trees elsewhere have been. l do not
think that even the statesmen who plant
ed these trees would object to their re-
moval If they knew statue to a great
man like Grant was to rise up where they
once stood. The memorial commission
chose the place for the statue after care
full consideration. and its erection In the
Botanic Garden will not mean that 1t Is
the opening wedge for L'Enfant's plan Of
nv,tj ~ AhA 81 SHSA tot vufy1
be erected In the Botanic Garden. so that
II that plan Is ever carried out the statue
will fit in with the scheme. just as 1t will
it In with the scheme II no changes are
made in the MALL
Opponents Of Present Plan.
Opponents of the present statue plan
consider that Gen. Dodge. in the above
argument. gets away from the subject
which has as one of its main points not
only the matter Of the tree removals. but
also the taking, by indirection. of the first
step in the park commissions plan Of Sc
curing an established axis" on which to
work.
Gen. Dodge's remarks Indicate conclu-
sively, however, that he Is disposed to
approve the recommendation Of the ad-
visory committee that the Botanic Gar
den site be retained and that the historic
trees be removed. Secretary Taft's views
on the subject are not known. but he
will undoubtedly be guided in his action
In the matter by the wishes of the Presi-
dent, who has taken deep personal in
terest in the premises.
One of the first steps to be taken by
the memorial commission in anticipation
Of final action is to secure the revocation
of the injunction secured by Attorney G..
H. Syme. which now prevents the further
prosecution of the work of building the
foundation for the monument.
While that rule of the court obtains
the commission is enjoined from doing
any work in connection with the erection
OF the monument. Mr Mcnamara of the
United States District attorneys office.
who represented Capt. Poole in the in
junction proceedings. has been instructed
to represent the memorial commission, as
represented by Gen. Dodge.