Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-26
Head of Mid-City Group De-
nOunCeS Destruction on
Capitol Hill.
CHARGES STEAM TUNNEL
EXCUSE insufficient
Plan to Prevent Future Official
Vandalism" to Be Sought
by Committee.

Aroused by the destruction of half
eentury-old elrns on East Capitol street,
the Midcity Citizens Association not
only has passed a resolution in pro-
test, but has started its most influential
committee-the Executive Committee,
composed Of officers of the association
to thoroughly investigate the matter
with q view to seeing If such deStruc-
ton can be prevented in the future.
A. j. Driscoll, president of the asso-
citation, today deplored the destruction
Of the trees especially at this time,
just before the Washington Bicenten-
NAL Celebration.
ut is unfortunate that the beauty of
Washington should be marred at this
time, when. as someone has said, we
are expecting a million or two visitors.
The trees are one of Washington S
greatest attractions and now this beau
tiful vista Of fine old elms has been
destroyed. These trees should have
been protected"
Sacrifice Held Unnecessary.
Realizing that eventually East Capt.
tol street may be widened under the
plan suggested by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, and
explained yesterday by David Lynn,
architect of the Capitol. Mr.. Drtscon
expressed the opinion that it would not
have been necessary to sacrifice these
trees at the present time. Many OF
the trees have been cut down, because
they were considered by District au-
thorities to be too dangerous to passers-
by. Their roots had been all cut of
on one side during the digging of a
new steam tunnel which is to be used
to carry heat to the Library of Congress
and the annex to the Library of Con-
gresS. The steam tunnel was dug
through the sidewalk.
This steam tunnel, Mr.. Driscoll still
thinks, could have been placed else
wherein the lawn of the Library OF
Congress, for instance-to save the old
elm trees and the vista to the Capitol.
The statement made by the chief
engineer of the Capitol power plant
that to extend the pipes through the
lawn of the Library of Congress would
kill the grass" said Mr.. Driscoll, sis
rather a peculiar one and cannot be
accepted as defense of those re-
sponsible for the butchery of these
splendid and attractive, as well as use
full trees.
1T seems but sensible argument"
said Mr.. Driscoll, that the heating
pipes could be properly covered to pre-
vent the escape Of heat, which would
protect the grass, this simply in the
interest of economy. If the pipes are
so constructed that they will kill the
grass, does it not follow that they will
likewise kill the trees, thus completing
the job Of destruction already begun.
"By our way of reasoning, there is
no excuse to be offered that will justify
the apparent indifference on the part
of those responsible for the protection
Of our beautiful trees in this entire
case"
Mr.. Driscoll expressed his hearty APP
proval" of the recent Star editorial
entitled "Oh1cial Vandalism" concern
ing the destruction Of the trees.
AS head of the Mid-City Citizens
Association, Mr.. Driscoll has been an
active worker in citizens affairs in this
city, and has led previous fights to pro-
tect the trees of the Capital. A move
ment which had been started to cut
down all the old elm trees on New York
avenue between Ninth and Thirteenth
streets. was halted following vigorous
protest by Mr.. Driscoll and his aSsocia-
ton. They took their protest personally
to the District Commissioners, and the
elns on New York avenue still are
standing.
No Objection TO Progress.
with at least three different govern
mental agencies in charge of the trees
VI I44C GN611OAAdA NdPAldl, OI4SCOl1
suggested that some kind Of co-opera-
ton should be developed by which there
could be more conservation of the tree
life Of Washington. The development
of the city is naturally taking away
some of its trees, which have to be
sacrificed to progress, Mr.. DriscolI said,
explaining that his association does not
object to such real progress.
But where no real beneficial results
can be obtained by the removal of
trees" he continued, I'VE are vigorously
opposed to such removal"
ION Capitol Hill, in the case of the
present destruction of elms," said Mr..
Driscoll, ut seems to me that better
plan would have been to save this fine
old vista to the Capitol for many years
until the newer trees could be grown
farther back from the curb, to provide
q new vista Why destroy these fine
trees with hundred years more life
before the small and young trees for the
new vista are even planted?"
The Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens
Association also has formally protested
against destruction of the elnls on Cap