Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06

trees Mr.. Shoes has large property in
terests on Capitol HHl. where he has re-
sided for many years. Continuing, he said:
Il have always admired the trees IN the
Botanic Garden and Capitol grounds. and
think they are the greatest attraction of
the city. If the plans for the Mall. as
outlined in The Star, are carried out the
beauty of that park will be seriously
marred. 1t seems to me that there ought
to be some way to save the historic trees
which are now threatened. Move the statue
to another site II necessary, but save the
trees. There certainly ought to be some
authority to prevent their destruction
Public Sentiment Disapproves.
Mr. E. Southland Parker: Il am very
much opposed to the destruction of the
trees. 1 do not think there Is anything in
the city that should be so carefully guarded
as our trees. 1 think this plan to make
room for the Grant statue is a great mis-
take. and am sure that public sentiment
will be very much against it. When that
law was passed, I feel sure Congress
thought there would be no general slaugb,.
ter of trees Every tree here should bs-nre-
served, because the trees alone -,ka .ho
climate IN the summer bepTabn II 10
much better to preserve tie trees we have
than to plant trees ecd walt untIt panare
tons unborn tQsnsve benefits from them. 7
H mo-. some gay will be devised to prevent
Agrees With The Star. 4:.
Mr. Robert N. Harper, president of the
Chamber of Commerce.:
i am In sympathy with the stand The
Star has taken in connection with this
wholesale destruction of our trees. I am
FAMILIAR with that location and l feel sure
that Congress thought that whatever the
commission would do would be in the in
of ht,fI1
down. They supposed there would be i'm
provement and not destruction. In nv
Judgment it would be far better to DESTROY
the old houses on the north side of the ave
nue. near the Capitol for site for the
statue rather than to invade the park space
and cut down such a vast number of
trees.
There are many dilapidated houses in
that section. and to tear them down to
make room for beautiful statue and sur
rounding grounds would be in the line of a
great Improvement. AS The Star states the
act or Congress provided for the location
of the statue in some unoccupied place
and 1 certainly hope that our established
park spaces will not be destroyed
Not Ready to Express Opinion.
Gen. John NJ. Wilson. president Of the
Washington Board of Trade. said the b.,
tanic Garden is under the control of Mr..
Smith, and he had not been in it and could
not express an opinion until he visits the
ground and looks 1t over.
Hopes for a Solution.
Commissioner Mcfarland when seen last
night by Star reporter, said that he hoped
some way may be found by which the valu
able or historic trees of the Mall could be
spared and at the same time the Grant
statue be placed In the most appropriate
and desirable spot. He was not sufficiently
informed on the park matter to discuss 1t
In detail. but he has full confidence In the
Grant commission and believes the mem
bers had the best interests of the National
capital at heart. He hopes solution of
the problem might be found.
Deplores the Destruction.
Dr. Charles w Needham. president of the
George Washington University. deplored
the destruction Of the splendid trees in or
der to secure site for the Grant statue or
for any other purpose.
Il always regret" he said. ''to see fine
trees destroyed. It takes so many years
to grow trees. and we have such a fine
variety In our parks here. 1 think it is a
great mistake to locate a monument where
1t Is necessary to destroy valuable trees
AS to this particular plan I am not IA
miiar''
Mr.. B. II. Warner: THE old trees of the
District of Columbia should, without doubt.
be preserved and no destruction should be
tolerated whether for the purpose of locat-
ing a monument or for any other reason
The trees add much to the beauty of the
CITY, and l hope some means may be
adopted whereby this proposed destruction
or so many of historic nature may be
prevented