Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-17
Nationwide Movement for
Erection of Memorial to
William R. Smith.
CHAIRMAN GUIDE ISSUES
CALL FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS
Plan Inaugurated by Society of
American Florists and Orna-
mental Horticulturists.

The first step in the nationwide cam
paign for funds with which TO erect in
this city a suitable memorial to the
late William Robertson Smith, for more
than sixty years superintendent Of the
National Botanic Garden, was taken to-
day when William F. GUIDE. chairman
of a special committee of the Society
of American Florists and Ornamental
Horticulturists, sent to each branch Of
the organization throughout the country
an appeal for subscriptions The COM
mittee. of which Mr.. GUIDE in chairman.
has as It's members J. X. NJ. l.. Far
quhar of Boston. J. A. Valentine OF Dem
Yer. Harry Papworth of New Orleans
and Richard Vincent. tr.. of White
Marsh. Md
Already more than S25OO has been
subscribed toward the fund for a me-
| mortal to the noted horticulturist. and
Mr.. Guide believes that as soon as the
various branches of the Society of
American Florists and Ornamental
Horticulturists throughout the land are
now ready to receive subscriptions they
will be Forthcoming. He believes that
subscriptions also will be received from
florists and horticulturists who are not
members of this society. for Mr. Smith
was universally liked and respected by
every one engaged in those professions
Throughout the country.
Chairman Guides Letter.
Mr.. Guides letter to the presiding off,
GERS of the many branches of the society
follows:
Your committee, charged with the Sc
curing of funds wherewith to erect
suitable memorial to the late William
r. Smith, who was for over sixty years
superintendent of tthe United States Bo-
tanic Garden. and father of the charter
of the Society of American Florists and
Ornamental Horticulturists, has so far
completed all preliminary steps. and is
now ready to receive subscriptions to-
ward erecting memorial worthy of the
man.
The form which the memorial shall
take cannot be definitely decided until
we have an approximate idea of the
amount of money at the committees dis
posal. When this has been ascertained
the committee will then formulate plans
and submit them to the Society of Amer
lean Florists and Ornamental Horticul-
turiSts, which will finally pass on them.
THE committee, therefore, asks that
you take immediate steps with your or
ganization to further this cause, and for
ward subscriptions to William F. GUIDE,
chairman of the committee, Washington,
ID. c.
Movement Started Last Year.
The movement to erect memorial to
Mr.. Smith was started at the twenty
eighth annual convention of the Society
of American Florists and Ornamental
Horticulturists in Chicago last August by
Mr.. GUIDE, who was a close friend of the
famous horticulturst. Members of the
or MI in voicinp their of
the suggestion spoke of the esteem in
which Mr.. Smith was held by high gov
ernment officials cabinet members and
members of Congress 1t was through
the efforts of Mr.. Smith that the So
cety received a charter from Congress
in 1901. The society appropriated. $1,000
as nucleus of a fund for a memorial
TO Mr.. Smith and members present at
the meeting then came forward with
subscriptions totaling more than $1,000
'It is desired that the memorial to MIR.
Smith be as national in character as pos
sible. for he was man who had ad-
mirers in every state of the Union said
Mr. GUIDE today. Just what type of me-
mortal will be erected cannot be decided
until some idea of the amount of sub
scriptions toward the fund can be had.
Wide Circle of Friendship.
THE movement to erect memorial to
besides being called the grand old man
by the professional florists and horticul-
tursts throughout the country he was
loved and respected by thousands of
amateur flower growers and gardeners.
His wonderful library of the works of
Burns and his vast collection of infOrma-
ton concerning the Scottish poet won
scores of friends and admirers for him
among the literary folk of this and other
lands. He also counted among his friends
hundreds of government officials and men
prominent in national affairs with whom
he became acquainted during the many
years he served as superintendent of the
National Botanic Garden.