Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-29
MEMORIAL TREES
FOR. SOLDIERS
Governor Urges Them in a
Proclamation on Arbor
Days

''1t is patriotic impulse to pre-
serve the names of the heroes who
have made the supreme sacrifice In
long lived vigorous tree" says Gov
ernor William c. Sproul in his frs
formal proclamation issued to-day
designating April IL and rs as the
spring arbor days. The Governor
refers in his proclamation to the Wit
al Importance of restoring forests
and conservation of water ano
makes a special plea for the plant
ing of native trees in memory oi
the fallen soldiers.
The proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, The restoration,
protection, and utilization of
forests is now recognized as
proper function of Statecraft.
The one important and impera-
tive immediate duty is to re-
store forests to every acre of
land within the Commonwealth
not capable of producing a bet
ter crop. The forest products
now required by our industries
we are obliged to purchase
from other regions. Nothing
ed restoration prevents selling
our own timber to our own
people as once we did, millions
of dollars worth every year;
and
Whereas, Much of the power
of the future will be derived
from falling water. The indus
tries of the future will surely
be required to depend upon this
power. If thE timber on the
highlands of the State is not
restored, the tree clad hills will
be lacking that cover which
should be there to retain the
rains and melting SHOWS. The
water will pass out of the State
in disastrous floods, leaving us
at the most critical season of
the year with insufficient water
either for the production of
power or for ordinary purposes:
and
Whereas, Having fought a
victorious foreign war we are
now filled with the spirit of the
memorial tree in honor of our
soldier dead, victims of great
and cruel contest, held in
tender memory by the public
mind. 1t is a patriotic impulse
to preserve the names of these
heroes who made the supreme
sacrifice, in a long-lived, Wig
orous tree, capable of outliving
the centuries. to bless those who
are to come by its cooling shade
and its added beauty to our
land. For this high purpose
no short-lived or puny trees
should be taken. The lofty
spirit of patriotism is not salts
fed with anything but that of
the most enduring character.
Our native white oak. red oak.
pin oak, scarlet oak, elm, sugar
maple, black walnut, the pines
themselves for memorial pur-
poses. The grounds about many
of our schools are ample for
tree planting. and the pupils
ought to be encouraged to plant
memorial trees in honor of the
heroes of the neighborhood.
These children should also be
made responsible for their prop
er care and protection. The
experience had and the lesson
so learned will be enduring
kind, servicable to the pupils
as we'll as helpful to the COM
munity,
Therefore, l, William c.
Sproul, Governor of the Com
monwealth, in pursuance of the
foregoing. and in recognition
of the lofty and patriotic service
to be rendered by tree planting
do hereby set aside, Friday.
April IL, and Friday, April 25,
1919, as Arbor Days throughout
the State. Two days are desig-
mated so that opportunity may
be given to the pupils of schools
with an early closing date to
participate in the planting of
trees. This practice, which I
commend to the pupils in our
schools and to all our people,
is of wise and generous charac-
ter. In urging the observance
of these Arbor Days through
out the State, I do so in the ex-
pectation that thousands of
young trees will be started on
their future growth to bless
ma in fha wears IN o0mo