The Washington herald., 1907-10-19

That the "Crittenden Peace Oak" the
Beck Elm" and other historic trees in
the Botanic Gardens, which were to be
cut down 10 make room for the Grant
Memorial Monument, are destined to live
unil nature disposes Of them seems now
to be an accomplished fact. in view OF
the powerful influences which have been
invoked in their behalf
The publication in The Washington
Herald on Saturday, October 5, that these
historic trees We're to be sacrificed
aroused widespread sentiment for their
| preservation.
! Yesterday President Roosevelt by a
! telegram addressed to Acting Secretary
lof War Oliver, directed that no trees Of
/ any consequence in the District Of Co
lumbia be destroyed for any purpose
without full consideration. and in the
event Of there being the slightest ques-
ton raised TO bring the matter before
him.
This telegram is the result Of one ad-
dressed TO the Acting Secretary of War
/ by Speaker Cannon. who requested that
action looking 10 the cutting down Of the
/ trees be delayed until Congress met As
the Acting Secretary was not authorized
to direct such action, ne sent the follow
ing telegram to Secretary Taft at Manila:
/ Message 10 Mr.. Taft.
Great objection made by press and
/ individuals against the destruction Crit
/ tenden peace tree and other historic trees,
l made necessary b,- s.f.-ts,- ,f -4. -
/ Grant memorial in Botanic Gardens.
Speaker Cannon suggests postponement
until Congress can review the matter
Contracts let. preparation OF site is be
| sun; postpOnement involves possible ac-
/ ton for damages. Under statute laws
/ you and Grenville Dodge appear to be
! only persons having authority. Dodge
/ unwilling TO take action alone VIII you
4 authorize me 10 act for you In case"
! To this cablegram Secretary Taft re-
piled that 1t was the first he had heard
/ OF the difficulty and he authorized Acting
/ Secretary Oliver to act after a conference
/ with the President Mr oliver communi-
Gated with the President and this re-
+ suited IN the latter's telegram OF yes
/ teTday morning Mr.. Oliver wired 10 Gen.
I Dodge, who is at COUNCIL Bluffs, Ia d.,
/ suggesting he postpone definitely all
work until he could personally take UP
| the matter here This Gen. Dodge has
done, and it is understood he will be in
this city some time in the progress Of the
next week.
Chief Justice ClabaUgh, OF the Supreme
Court of the District OF Columbia, yester-
day gave the trees legal lease Of life by
continuing. until next Wednesday, the
injunction proceedings instituted by At
torney Conrad Syme on the day the trees
we're 70 be cGt down, October S. Mr.. Syme
obtained a rule for Capt John II Poole
engineer officer. L. s A., In charge Of
the work Of erecting the Grant Memorial
10 appear and show cause yesterday why
he should not be restrained from cutting
down the trees Mr.. Syme set forth in
mis- petition that the trees were purposely
planted, that they had been "A source Of
expense To the United States In their
maintenance and that their presence con
stituted an occupation of the ground.
In the act authorizing the erection OF
the memorial md the selection Of a site
in the Botanic Gardens II was pro-
yided that the memorial should be erected
on "unoccupied" ground. Justice Ga
baugh granted Mr.. Syme permission 70 file
an amended bin of complaint and this
viii have the effect of restraining order
until next Wednesday morning at 10
o'clock