The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-28
Frederick Haskin's Letter
Fifty Years of Arbor Day.
Special Correspondence of The Arrus9

twas officially adopted in Spain in
1896. Hawaii took it up in 1905
Arbor day is now recognized and
celebrated in all of the dependeb-
cies of the United States, in Great
Britain, Canada, Australia, the Brit.
ish West Indies, South Africa, NeF
Zealand, France. Norway, Russia
Japan and China.
Climatic conditions make the OBJ.
servance of this occasion occur al
various times of the year through
out the world. In Alabama and
Texas, as well as other places, q
day already a holiday has been Sc
Iected. In the two states named
Washington's birthday is also Ar.
Dor day. In Jamaica the day is
celebrated on Queen Victoria's
birthday. In many of our states il
| is combined with Bird day The
date is earlier in the south and
later in the north of our own coun-
| try, the dates running from Febru-
airy to May.
War Aided Tree Planting.
The recent World war gave tree
planting an added impetus The
idea of memorial trees was put
forth and received well throughout
the country. Memorial groves and
trees for the heroes of the late war
are being planted generally
throughout America now. Lining
roads with trees in memory OF the
soldiers killed in France was taken
up also. the roads being given the
designation, Roads of Remem-
brance."
The colleges have taken up me-
mortal tree planting with vim
The University of Washington, at
Seattle, has planted IS trees in
memory of the 81 men and one
woman student who gave up their
lives in the World war. Hereafter
on Armistice day additional trees
will be planted in memory of these
student heroes, November being a
good tree planting month in the
northwest. Beside this tree plant
ing, the university dedicated Me-
mortal Way, one of the main en-
frances to the campus.
Pennsylvania State college is ar
ranging to plant trees in a giant
'S" on the shoulder of Nittany
where the trees can be
observed from the college campus.
What the Future Holds.
In a generation or two, il the
good work is kept up-and it is
sure to be-America will have es-
capped the threat of deforestation
it has faced. It will produce all of
the lumber it needs and will be
able to export some without i'm
pairing the supply for the future.
There will be wooded and beautiful
breathing places throughout the
land for people in cities as well as
in the country. And there will be
many miles of shaded highway to
bring to memory those who laid
down their lives in France.
Mr. Morton, the father of AProE
lay, was born in New York state
30 years ago. He was educated In
Michigan, taking up his residence
n Nebraska after he reached man
lood. At Nebraska City he found
ID the first newspaper published in
he state.
In 1856 and 1857 Mr.. Morton was
/ member of the territorial legisla-
,ure, and the next year he was ap-
pointed secretary of the territory
>y President Buchanan. When Gov
,rnor w. w Richardson resigned
/ few months later he became act
ng governor.
In 1856 Mr. Morton was the Dem
)cratic candidate for governor OF
he state. but was defeated. From
hen until he was again the candi-
late in 1881 he took no active part
n politics.
President Grover Cleveland aD-
pointed Mr.. Morton as his secre-
airy Of agriculture in 1898. which
)ost of honor Mr. Morton held IN
il 1897. Mr.. Morton was bitterly
opposed to William Jennings Bry-
N when the latter became prom
nent in politics. Mr.. Morton ar
aged himself with the gold wing
# the Democratic party. The last
,ost of honor he held was as one
# the commissioners of the Lo1isi-
ma Purchase exposition, to wNich
lie was appointed by President Nc
1inley in 1901.