Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-12-30
-,ses stirs Contro versy.

! An old and much-prized juniper, or red
cedar tree cut down on the side Of Jones
Mill road and erected in Chevy Chase
Circle for the community Christmas cele-
bration last Saturday night. has become the
center of lively controversy that is aeitat-
ing large section Of Montgomery county.
Residents Of North Chevy Chase. near the
place where the tree stood out as land
mark for nearly three-Quarters Of century.
insist that IL was cut without proper
authority and are demanding legal action.
States Attorney Robert Peter. Jr.. has
been notified and in response to requests
has begun an investigation to determine
the fact. He will decide later whether to
take legal steps on behalf of the county.
Meantime members Of the Woman Club
of Chevy Chase, sponsor for the commu-
nifty Christmas exercises. and the CON-
munity Christmas tree committee. of which
Alex Mcclure Ashley. Of Chevy Chase. is
chairman. are claiming that the tree was
cut only after permission had been OBJ
tanned from DIR. Benjamin C. Perry. of Be-
thesda, president Of the board of county
commissioners.
Il said they might have the tree, IL 1t
was on the county road" said DR.. Perry.
when asked about the matter. II did not
know where the tree was, and cannot say
yet, for certain, whether it was on county
property or private property"
States Attorney Peter has directed that
an official survey be made Of the road to
determine whether the tree belongs to the
estate Of the late George Dunlop or the
county. Many persons assert that Dr. Perry
had no authority to grant permission to
cut the tree. even II it was on county
property. Apparently this is fine legal
point yet to be determined.
The tree was planted 70 years ago by
Judge James Dunlap. long since dead. the
grandfather Of the late George Dunlap and
ereat-uncle Of C. Thomas Dunlap. Washing
ton lawyer, whose home is at North Chevy
Chase Lake. 1t was one OF several similar
trees planted along the boundary of the
Dunlap estate, and it held many memories
for members of the Dunlap family and old
residents Of the neiehborhood.
ut was an outrage to cut down that
fine, old tree. said Mr.. Dunlap. I'VE have
always regarded it as being on my cousins
property. But even il 1t was within the
county rieht-of-way. do not believe il
faL Nui \
intend to take whatever action is possible
in the matter for the protection Of our
trees.
Mrs. Mary Rsy Waters. who was form
erly Mrs. George Dunlap. now lives on the
estate with her two daughters. She was
heartbroken when she discovered that the
old tree had been cut down and carted
away.
II would not have taken thousand dol
lars for it," she said. THE matter has
been called to the attention OF the States
Attorney, and survey is being made to
determine exactly where the line runs. He
will decide what to do"
The juniper tree in question was cut
down after fine. old spruce tree on the
property Of William II. Parker, on Jones
Mill road. short distance east Of Connec-
ticut avenue. had been saved by Mrs.
George E. Phillips, Of 200 Jones Mill road.
who placed herself close to the trees trunk
and dared workmen. under the direction
Of Lincoln Potter. a contractor. Of Chevy
Chase. to saw through her body This spruce