The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-10-22

site is at the eastern end of the DO
tanical gardens, opposite the capitol
grounds, and in preparing the ground
many historic trees may be sacrificed
1t is said that the plans of the park
commission, which selected the site
contemplate changing the whole char
acter Of the park system, extending
from the capitol to the Washington
monument.
Authorized by Congress.
AT the last session of congress per
mission was given to the park COM
mission to erect the statue on ian I'M
occupied part of the botanical gar
dens.' The commission selected for
the monuments site spot at the east
ern end of the gardens, directly in
front of the main gate. Far from be-
ing an unoccupied spot, the site select
ed contains more historic trees tnan
any other equal space in the gardens.
One of the first trees to feel the ak
was huge oak that was planted by
Senator Rowland of Michigan.
The crittenden Oak.
A mighty oak planted in 1868 by
Senator John ]. Crittenden of Ken
lucky must be another victim unless
the plans can be changed while be-
side the Crittenden tree stands an elm
planted by Senator Beck, Crittenden's
colleague, from slip from tree
planted by George Washington in the
capitol grounds. From similar slip
an elm was also planted by Boss
Shepherd, once governor of Washing
ton.
This great oak is known as the
"Crittenden peace tree" and acorns
from it's boughs have been sent all
over the United States, making it the
progenitor of very forest of mighty
trees, rising in every state.
Cannon Champions Trees.
Speaker Cannon opposes the plan OF
the Grant memorial commission to cut
down historic trees in the botanical
gardens to make way for the proposed
Grant monument.
The speaker learned of the proposed
destruction of the trees, many of
which have sentimental value,
through press reports which reached
him while he was in the west. Many
other public men have taken deep
interest i'll the preservation of the
trees Some of them have written
strong letters to the department Off
Gals asking that the construction of
the memorial be delayed until the act
of congress authorizing the erection of
the monument is further considered.
To Move Washington's Statue.
If the plans of Elliott Woods, super
intendent of the capitol. materialize
the statue of George Washington, de-
signed by the sculptor, Horatio Green
ough, will be removed from its pres
ent position at the east front of the
capitol to the national museum. This
statue, which has withstood wintry
blasts and the blistering sun of sum-
mer for the most part under the shell
ter of wooden framework built
around it, has long been bone Of con-
tention. Many visitors to Washington
object to the scanty attire in which
the Father of His Country is repre-
scented. while others say there is no
use having statue there at all if it is
to be covered up for long periods.
Not In Keeping With Surroundings.
Mr.. Woods now wants to, have the
statue moved, because he thinks it is
not in keeping with the present gen
eral arrangement of the capitol
grounds. The erection Of the new Office
buildings for the senate and house, the
library of congress and other I'M
provements which will follow make
changes necessary in the general lay
out of the capitol grounds, and in this
new arrangement Mr.. Woods sees no
place for the Greenough statue
Zoo Improvements.
The $4,000 appropriated by congress
for improvements to the geological
park has been we'll expended, and the
new walks and roadways are said to
be the best macadamized roads in the
District.
Two new steel cages have been erect
ed in the bear house. and Taft, the big
brown Alaskan bear the largest cap
tive bear in the United States, which
has reached the thousand pound mark,
now occupies quarters suited to his
huge bulk.
Animals In Fine Fettle.
Zoo keepers report that all their
charges are in fine health. They are
very proud of the compliments paid
the animals by the directors of foreign
geological parks who attended the re
cent international geological congress
in this city. The delegates praised the
beauty Of the park, saying that it was
the finest geological park they had ever
seen and asserting that the animals
had been placed as nearly as possible
In surroundings which resembIed their
native haunts. The condition of the
animals also evoked much favorable
comment from the delegates.
New Houses Planned.
Two macaQue monkeys, purchased in
New York, have recently been added
to the zoos simian collection, and the
birds of the park have been called
upon to welcome a large barred owl
who formerly claimed Mauertown. va.
as his residence. There are also two
white storks, recently arrived from
Yardley, Pa. The most important ac-
QUESTION the park has received in the
last few weeks is fine large Canada
lynx from Alberta. The newcomer is
a splendid specimen, and n0twithstand-
ing his inconsistencies he displays an