Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-18

With an order from the President that
no trees of any consequence in the Dis
| trict of Columbia be destroyed without
full consideration. the protest against the
destruction of historic trees in the Botanic
Garden made by The Star less than two
weeks ago and echoed by citizens OF all
degrees has been successful.
From the canebrakes of Louisiana,
where the President gave orders that he
must be disturbed by no affairs except
this morning a dispatch from Mr. Roose-
Welt to Robert Shaw Oliver, acting secre-
tary of war. This message, and one from
Secretary Taft, at Manila, are contained
in the following telegram sent this morn
| ing to Gen. Dodge at Council Bluffs By
Gen oliver:
Have received the following telegram:
THE President directs that no trees Of
any cons sequence in the District of Co.
lumbia be destroyed for any purpose with
out full consideration. and in the event
of there being the slightest question raised
bring the matter before him. NJ. c. Lat
ta assistant secretary
Secretary Taft cables as follows: 'Au-
thorize Dodge to act after conference
with the President Suggest you direct
Capt. Poole to postpone indefinitely all
work until you can personally take up
matter here. Wire answer"
divers Message to Taft.
The cablegram which Mr.. Oliver sent to
Secretary Taft at Manila October 16 10 az
follows:
Great objection made by press and In
dividuals against the destruction Critten-
den peace tree and other historic trees
made necessary by selection OF site for
Grant memorial in Botanic Gardens.
Speaker Cannon suggests postponement
until Congress can review the matter.
Contracts let. preparation of site is begun;
postponement involves possible action for
damages. Under statute law you and
Grenville Dodge appear to be only persons
having authority. Dodge unwilling to take
action alone VIII you authorize me to
act for you in case:"
Secretary Taft replied: First have
heard of such difficulty; authorize
Dodge to act after conference with
President"
Attorney Conrad II. Syme, acted as d
check to the telling of the historic trees
in the Botanic Garden when the danger
was most pressing. Mr. Syme obtained
the order Tuesday, October S, three
days after The Star called attention
to the proposed act of vandalism. and
this morning reply was filed by Capt.
Poole of the engineers, in Charge Of
I'll
After considering the matter Chief JUS
tice Clabaugh gave Mr.. Symc permis-
sion to file an amended bill OF COM
plaint next Wednesday.
Planned to Kill Trees.
The Star was notified Saturday, Octo-
bcr s. that three historic trees at the east
end of the Botanic Garden were to be
cut down to make room for the pedestal
of a huge memorial to Gen. Grant. Supt
Smith of the Botanic Garden took re-
porter from The Star to the proposed
site of the memorial and showed him
how the plans were made by the COM
mission in charge of erecting the statue
to cut down an oak planted by Senator
Crittenden of Kentucky and two elms
planted by Senator Beck of kentucky
and the late Gov. Shepherd.
These trees stood near the eastern gate
of the garden. 1t was proposed to have
the pedestal of the statue extend nearly
fifty yards on each side of the walk.
Trenches had already been dug for tho
foundation one side and workfnen
were busy excavating around the roots
of one of the big trees. Superintendent
Smith pointed out that the plan for tho
erection of the memorial was a part OF
the scheme of the park commission, which
contemplated ultimately the destruction
of nearly all the trees in the Mall and
the transformation Of that whole area
with a view to producing an imitation
Versailles.
The Star imme d ately made a vigorous
protest against the proposed vandalism
In the paper issued that afternoon, and
in the Sunday issue, next morning, many
citizens of the District went on record
in opposition to the projected denudng
Of Washingtons great breathing spot.
The Star put itself in communication with
members of the park commission, of the
Grant memorial commission, officials Of
the War Department and members OF
Congress.
In the meantime Attorney Syme took
a step which stopped. for the moment,
al work leading to the destruction OF
- trees until other protective measures