Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-01
COUNCIL PROVIDES
FOR CITY FORESTER
By Vote of 3 to z Taylor Ordinance
lnsuring Care of Shade
Trees Is Passed

City Council by a vote of to . this
afternoon adopted the Taylor city for
ester ordinance.
Commissioners Taylor Bowman and
Lynch voted for. and Mayor ROYAL
and Commissioner Gorgas voted
against it,
Ihe ordinance provides for the ap-
pointment of a city forester" who
shall have charge of and supervise
the selection. planting. trimming,
maintenance, protection and removal
of shade trees" in the streets and in
the city parks. Any assistants he may
need other than what can be supplied
by the Park Department must be ap-
pointed by Council. The forester will
De under the Jurisdiction of the De-
partment of Parks and his compensa-
uon shall not exceed $1,000.
Ihe measure was adopted following
a brief discussion on the merits of
the forester ordinance over the shade
tree law. which it substitutes CON-
missioner Taylor incidentally ex-
planned the new ordinance.
Got Idea From Mcfarland
Some opposition, it seems, has been
directed against the city forester ordi
l
thought on the subject from the re-
marks j. Horace Mcfarland made in
MS talk before us, 4 few weeks ago.
me shade tree law was passed in
lSVt, nut very few cities have adopted
1t. 1t may have merit, but there seems
10 De considerable opposition to it.
Ihat was one OF my motives in sug-
seStnS the city forester ordinance in
stead. Another is that the city for
ester measure undergoes all the ex-
pense incident TO the removal. plant
ing, care, and so forth, of the trees.
Some question has been raised he
cause II gives too much power to the
forester Why the forester must be a
man OF ability, and if he is such man
ne ought TO have ample power. He
must be man of technical knowledge
ana practical training"
AFTER all, declared Mr.. Taylor in
conclusion, the main object is the
care OF the trees. isn't it? Then what
dl1erence does 1t make as to the
method-as to whether the city for
ester Is under the jurisdiction of a
shaGe tree commission or the city
Park Department"
Nobody I'm View for job
Mayor Royal questioned whether a
suitable man could be obtained for
SlUUO. Mr.. Taylor explained that that
was the salary TO start with and that
II the man merited more money ba
would command more money. No an
polhtee was in view. he said, but he
assured Council that the man who
would be named would have To he a
competent one, whose testimonials and
oIher credentials as to qualifications
would be carefully looked into. Mr.
lay!or denied that he objected to the
shade tree law on the ground of the
possible personnel of the commission
IhlS personnel, he said. would at am,
rate have to be named by the Councii
The Civic Club sent a. communica-
ton to Council urging the appoint-
ment of shade tree commission
Mayor Royal had a resolution to that
efect in his pocket, but he never pro--
duced 1t. L didn't get a chance" he
said smilingly.
Church Wants Fire Protection
The trustees of the Second Baptist
church, Cameron and State streets,
asked Council to provide some safe
guard against possible fire because of
the proximity of junkshop. Council
VIII take up the question with the City
Solicitor. The paving assessment for
the Sixth Street United Brethren
Church was also authorized.
Council passed a resolution trans
ferring to a fund for taking up the
necessary bonds for the paving of
Front street from Maclay to Division
street to the extent of $4,000. This
money had been appropriated and if
the city ever loses out in a suit brought
by property owners for half the street
assessment the money will be ready.
If the city wins, the money will be
paid back.
Fatal, FIGHT nv TRAIN