The Washington herald., 1907-10-22
PLANS BEST
FOllOWThem and Make Wash
ingtOn the City Beautiful.
COMMENT ON TREE EPISODE
Thousands of Trees Are to Be
Planted and but Few Disturbed.
Boston Paper Advises Congress TO
stand by Park Commission in Carry
ing Forward Their Park Work,

From the Boston Transcript
On the west front of the Capitol in
Washington is a garden enclosed by a
high brick and iron fence with narrow
gates open by day and closed at night.
Within this garden dweHs the gardener.
a vigorous Scotchman. with his dogs and
his collection Of the writings of Robert
Burns. The garden has some large green
houses, from which bouquets are sent 10
favored members Of Congress; but even
the president of the Senate has been
snubbed when he asked to have flowers
sent to the desk Of the presiding officer.
Years ago when the despoiling Of the
L'Enfant plan for Washington was un-
der way horticultural society obtained
the use Of the space in question, and
when the society died a natural death.
Congress took over the garden, and has
since provided for it's maintenance. in
dependent Of any Of the departments of
government.
The chief artificial adornment Of the
garden is a large and well-designated
fountain Of imitation bronze: while
among the trees that have grown up
within the inclosure are oaks and eIms
planted by statesmen like Crittenden and
Beck. Of Kentucky and Howard. of
Michigan. One tree dear 10 the hearts of
Nashingtonians is sacred to the memory
of Alexander r. Shepherd. once reviled as
the boss Of the District Of Columbia, but
now held in high esteem,
Authorized by Congress.
1t is now proposed to fell some Of these
trees in order TO make room for the
Grant Memorial which the Army Of the
Tennessee is erecting, and Washington is
up in arms against such vandalism. 1t is
true that the location was permitted by
Congress, and that the site was selected
by the special commission charged with
erecting the statue; but the blame IS
placed on the long-suffering Park Com
mission, which reported in favor Of re-
| turning to the plan for the Mall pre-
pared by L'Enfant under the immediate
direction OF Washington and Jefferson
/ The commission is accused of attempt
| ing 20 thrust on the modest and Tepub-
/ lican city Of Washington the splendid
conceptions Of that effete and decadent
monarch, Louis XIV. LEnfant planned
"a great square as a suitable approach 10
I the Capitol from the west. and the com
mission adopted this obvious suggestion,
and advised placing in this square statues
of Grant, and OF his famous lieutenants.
Sherman and Sheridan. Fortunately the
government owns the land and can carry
out the original design.
The opposition Acknowledges with rever-
ent gratitude the services Of the Park
Commission in securing the removal Of the
railroads from the Mall, and the con
struction of the most monumental rail-
way station in the world; but the device
OF opening a vista from the Capitol To
the Washington Monument. and thus re-
covering those axiaI relations throughout
the Mall for which / Enfaut strCye but
which the monument builders sacrificed
this seems TO the critics nothing short Of
vandalism because il means the removal
of some trees. No account is taken Of
the multitude OF trees TO be planted. As
a matter of fact the commission plans
contemplate planting q thousand trees
where one tree is disturbed. and. further,
they provide for such an arrangement Of
these trees as shall give the most enjoy
ment alike 20 visitor and citizen. Shaded
drives and walks more than two miles in
I length are designed 20 make an agree
able passage between the legislative and
executive departments; and the now arid
stretches Of Potomac Park are TO be con
verted into groves with basins and foun-
z fafug