Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-31
FLAG FAILS TO
SAVE BIG TREE
CEDAR HEIGHTS COUNCILMAN
REMOVE OAK WHICH WoM-
EN- PROTECTED.
AXES FALL WHILE
WOMEN SHED TEARS
Postmasters, American Legion and
Others Appealed to in vaip-Tpe
Stood in Roadway Of Iowa's Model
INTERPRETATIONS Being Circulated
Asking designations.

VudSe-V eeitionS oetn9 SirCuIated
Asking designations.
| Waterloo, July 31.-The flag draped
tree at Cedar Heights, that has been
| the center of q turbulent storm of
protest stands stark naked, its limbs
ana foliage lying at its foot in the
dust of the roadway.
A deputy sheriff accompanied E.
II. Shoemaker. a councilman and
chairman Of the street and alley
committee, when he went to remove
the two beautiful silk flags. the prop
erty Of Mrs. G. W. Wilson and Mrs
William Galloway. and the servic.
flag contributed by Mrs. j. .. King.
who lost a son in France.
At the scene OF the sturdy oak
when Mr.. Shoemaker arrived was q
crowd of boys and girls apparently
bent upon personal violence. but the
presence of Jacob Anton, the deputy,
saved any possibility OF bloodshed.
1t was reported that call went to
Cedar Tails for members Of the
American Legion to protect the tree,
but that the soldiers of the world war
expressed desire TO stay out Of the
trouble.
Many eyes were moist with tears
as a def axnan, with climbers upon
his feet. rapidly chopped off limb at
ter limb.
Great God. look at it now" walled
a woman when only the gaunt trunk
remained.
| Complained About Mail Boxes.
Those who had United States mail
boxes attached to the tree were loud
in their condemnation Of the act Of
Mr.. Shoemaker in removing them to
a place in the street A. J.. Eychaner.
81 years old. who spent IS years in
the active ministry, bewailed the pos
sibility Of harm that might befall a
precious piece Of mail that was IN his
box. He said 1t contained $3.50.
Complaint was made to Postmaster
M. II. Kelly, at Waterloo. by the citi-
zens, who commended the councilman
had no legal right to remove the mall
baxes without authority. Mr.. Shoe
maker. when asked about this matter,
stated he had talked with the post
Office force in waterloo and was as
sured he would be within his legal
rights in removing the boxes IL he
saw that no harm came to the mail
matter In them.
Postmaster Hughes Summoned 3
Mrs. Lew Rosenthal hurried to
Cedar Falls in her automobile and
brought Postmaster q. w. Hughes
and City Marshal Nathan F,nlow to
the scene at II q. m. Mr.. Hughes ex-
pressed himself vigorously, IFS IL his
won't. He stated 1t was serious mat
ter to interfere with Uncle Sans
mail.
The stars and stripes and the SER
vice flag were carefully removed by
Mr.. Shoemaker. folded neatly and
deposited on a bench at the roadside.
When workmen began to cut down
the limbs they were made the objects
Of many uncompiimentary express
sions. but they paid no attention to
them. All the limbs were safely guild
ed to the ground except one which
brushed the telephone wires,
Must clsar Roadway.
This particular tree was beautiful.
graceful and majestic in its forma-
ton. It stood near the center of
Grand avenue. close to the west en-
trance to Cedar Heights park, In
front Of J. L. Heichers store Mr.
Heichel, approaching the shade from
the tree on his front yard, offered to
give the city a space 10 feet wide, ex-
tending back to his sidewalk, II the
tree was spared. II
"The city council has plans for
clearing the streets" said Mr.. Shoe
maker. 1.-THE streets are only 20 feet
wide and it would be impracticable to
leave any trees In such a narrow
roadway. We propose to clear and
grade the roadway on either. side of
the ihterurban railway on Grand ave-
nue.. This particular tree was a sub
ject Of discussion by the city council
men. Action upon its removal was de-
ferred to give the citizens time to
bring an injunction suit or take other
legal steps. Finally, 1t was decided
that the tree must come out. Only
four large trees have been removed
thus far on Grand avenue"
Mr.. Shoemaker said that some of
the trees that We're felled in other
parts Of the town. on the winding
drives, appear to be outside the road
way. The reason for this is. he ex-
planned, that the drives are over
private property.
Indignation is running high among
the faction opposing the removal of
trees and the petitions are being cir
culated requesting Mayor w. F. Par
rott and members OF the council to
| resign.
Members of the faction opposing
the removal of trees were determined
to prevent the removal of the tree
protected, by the flag. but the ap-
pearance Of the deputy, sheriff avert
ed trouble.