New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-21
WANT ONLY FORESTERS
Civil Service List Doesn't Suit
Park Board.
NO APPOINTMENTS MADE
Park Commissioners Say Men
Certified Are Not Qualified
for Work Required.

The Park Board and the Civil Service
Commission have locked horns over the
appointment Of four foresters, Park Com
missioner Eliot, Of Queens, said the mem
bers of the board had refused to appoint
men as foresters from list of arboricult-
wrists submitted by the commission and
intended to make no appointments from IT,
The trouble grew out Of the establish
ment OF the grade OF forester. Some
months ago Commissioner Eliot succeeded
In having such a grade established for
his department. Lately the three other
Park Commissioners have done likewise
The salary for the place is $3.50 1t had
originally been lower, but the Queens Park
Commissioner made such strenuous OBJ
lection on the ground that first class
foresters could not be secured for 80 low
rate of wage that it was raised to
1850
Now. according TO Commissioner Eliot
the chief examiner Of the commission.
Frederick Ireland, has notified the Park
Commissioners that they must make the
appointments from list Of arboricultur-
lists.
None on the List Qu5iited.
And that is Just what we do not in
tend doing" said Commissioner Eliot yes
terday. mfr. Ireland is very estimable
man, but we know what we want and he
does not. There is no person on the
arboricuturists list qualified for the place
of forester. We want graduates Of for
estry schools and not gardeners or climb
ers and primers The list submitted by
the commission Is composed Of Just such
men as have enumerated.
THE place was established in order to
get first class foresters to look after our
trees. in the parks and on the streets
In the coming year thousands OF dollars
worth Of trees are to be planted, and
great deal OF scientific tree conservation
IS necessary. It requires a skilful for
ester to meet the needs OF such a stu
alton"
For a long time the Queens Commits
sIoner has been anxious to get graduate
Of one Of the university forestry schools.
lie has received favorable replies from o
number OF such men, and he said II was
his plan to have a real forester installed
long ago. II he could possibly have done so.
Tree pests have caused a big problem
The plan TO have foresters in each Of the
boroughs was advocated by the Mayors
park cabinet" OF which a. II. Spencer
Is the head
Need Men TO Fight Pests.
II IS absolutely necessary, the Queens
Commissioner said, TO have n man who
=. t.L Oh pf
work IN the different boroughs. IL
Queens. especially I'm Forest Park. tree
pests have done untold damage. Seven
teen thousand chcsnuts were removed
earlier I'm the year. At the present time
thousands OF hlckoTies are being attacked
by an insect that promises 10 do great
damage unless taken care Of at once
All the chestnuts are out OF the parks
in Manhattan, and in Van Cortlandt Park
they were all chopped out two years ago
Thousands Of new trees are 10 be set
out next year by Park Commissioner
Stover. who, in conjunction with the Bor-
ough President, is considering the plant
ing OF new trees on Broadway. II has
been pointed out that It will need an ex-
norienced forester In each borough 10 look
after the trees that are no" mehaCeu ny
disease and the new ones that are to be
set out at great expense.
Some Of the very men whom we are
asked 10 appoint as foresters," said Com
missioner Eliot ARE now arborlculturists
working in that grade in the present park
forces. We know what they can do and
what they cannot DO, Mr.. Ireland to the
contrary notwithstanding. We are after
foresters OF the first order. who are
trained TO take charge Of Just such prob
lens In the care and protection OF the
city's trees as are now facing the Park
Commissioners"