The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-27

SOUTH BEND, Ind, June GA
cross of living green, with arms six
teen and eighteen miles long, in st.
Joseph county will be memorial to
the men and women who served in the
world war The cross will be COM
posed of 5000 trees-one for each man
or woman in Che service The Lincoln
and Dixie highways, which intersect in
this county, will be lined with elms,
naples and other suitable trees to
form memorial avenues.
This township is believed to be the
first in the United States to present
definite organization in which citt-
zens will have full charge of memoir
ial plans. relieving the American
Legion. which had taken first steps.
More trees will be planted this
fall in St. Joseph county than in any
other in the Union, unless other
vicinities do some remarkably fast
work in the meantime said Mrs. j.
E. Neff, jr., whose mind the plan of
organization, to be used here, was first
formulated
Legion Relieved Of Work.
local civic movements, first thought of
the plan when she learned that the
American Legion had voted for a me-
mortal tree project. 1T seemed unfair
that the soldiers should supply their
own memorial" she said Accordingly
after working out a plan, she laid it
before a number of business men here
who heartily Endorsed the project. The
\ ex1n II l., Il IL,
X to a citizens committee, to which II
pledged full cooperation.
A permanent organization has been
formed with an executive committee
of fifteen, including a vice-president
from each township. The treasurer
has been bonded. An organization
committee Of seventy-hve is being
formed, including members from each
township.
Each township, whether on the me
mortal highways or not, will partici
pate. Certain parts of the avenues will
be assigned to each township, anC
thereon trees will be planted, honorins
their own service men and women.
Records to Be Kept.
Every tree will definitely represent
a soldier, sailor or Red Cross nurse
by individual families, and full record:
of ownership will be kept in the
county Offices.
Citizens who buy trees can choose
their location on special detail maps
which also will be a part of the per
manent record Each tree will bt
numbered and prices will be low en-
ough so that every citizen will have
10 ~ hoc 81,
of absolute equality.
There will be little solicitation, bu
much publicity will be given to the
plan" said Mrs. Neff I'VE are tryins
to make the system so attractive tina
when it is presented to individuals the,
will be anxious to volunteer to do thei
part"
Not only those who gave their lives
but those who were willing to do so
although not called on to make thi
sacrifice, will have memorials. Eacl
living soldier will have a tree. ant
when he dies it will become a monu
ment to his memory.
Quota for townships.
y The townships will be assigned thei
quota of trees in accordance with tn
number of men who served Tree
will be planted only under the super
vision of the association. AS far a
possible existing natural beauties wi
be retained, and no trees now standin
which have a chance to live will b
removed
The association will act only afte
obtaining the best advice availabl
from local and out-of-town experts an
state officials. The trees will be un
form in size and variety, conformin
10 the soil and to local conditions. T
c. Bird, county agricultural agen
making a test of soil along the Lincol
highway, which will be the first of tn
two roads to be planted
Rights of traffic, drainage, Telegram
and telephone poles will be taken int
consideration in planting the trees
landscape gardener has been inspec
ing the route of the highway to asce
tain how many miles of trees can /
planted without grading and fillin
recommendations from experts
Washington, D. c., Chicago and othe
cities indicate that the white elm, No