The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-05-06
BY ELMO SCOTT WATSON


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A HE observance of Arbor day varies
E in the different states of the I'm
m wN ion, although the majority of the
~ ~ y celebrations are held during the
AAE "a A latter part of April or the first
(.$kE.E " part of May. But whatever the
49, date, it has a special significance
S this year because of two men, For
wS- 1882 is the bicentennial of the
ST5 birth of George Washington, the
E@@Zss Father of His Country" and the
f.ENSs@a@ centennial of the birth of J. Ster-
-SS=s ling Morton, the Father of Arbor
Day"
The connection of George Washington with
ArbOr day celebrations lies in the fact that this
year he has been the inspiration for the most
extensive tree-planting program ever undertake
en- in this country. For a part of the general
bicentennial celebration program this year has
been the project sponsored by the American
Tree association of Washington, d. c., of plant
ing 100000 trees, all dedicated to Washing
ton, veritable living memorial stretching from
the Atlantic TO the Pacific and from the Cana
dian line to the Mexican border.
In announcing this project at the time that
President Coolidge created the Washington BIZ
centennial commission to have charge of the
general celebration this year. Charles Lathrop
Pack president of the American Tree associa-
ton, said:
What more significant and unique method
could be employed to manifest the affection
which American feels for Washington? Wash
ington himself must have loved trees, for his
diary contains repeated references to their value
and care; and he chose spot for his home
where their beauty is unexcelled. Along the
shaded path that leads to his final resting place,
two columns of trim, straight larches stand
like sentinels his constant companions, along
with those thousands of Americans who come
to pay him reverence during the daylight hours
He must have loved the regal beauty of a
tree. In the symbolism of a tree can Washing
ton be remembered prominently. Deep-rooted
in the ground, a tree is like man, coming up
out of the earth, but lifting its branches to
heaven. And as it grows in usefulness, so it
grows in beauty. 1t may outlast the ages, it
offers its shade all alike and its disinterested
ministries succour a thirsty countryside and
provide for its physical and esthetic necessi-
ties. So tree bespeaks the spirit of Washing
ton. He was democratic in his services, regal
in his leadership, commanding in his principles
while he extended a brotherly hand to
and independent people struggling for fuller
freedom"
Not only have millions of trees already been
planted in honor Of Washington and registered
with the American Tree association by social
civic and patriotic clubs and organizations as
well as by individuals, but the bicentennal
tree planting idea has now gone around the
world.
King Boris III of Bulgaria has joined this
great tree planting army in honoring Washing
ton by presenting to Henry W. Shoemaker, the
American minister at Sofia, two very rare Balk-
an varieties of evergreens, one for the legation
garden, the other for the American school
Sofa. These trees have been planted by Min
lister Shoemaker, who is from Pennsylvania,
with the help of the legation staff and with L
kerekoff Of the Bulgarian foreign office repre-
senting that nation. Mrs Shoemaker Mrs. May
nard Barnes, Mrs. Frank Barnes, wives of the
secretaries of the legation, and Mr.. 81. Frey, the
kings landscape gardener, aided in the planting
Of the tree.
Joseph c. Grew, the American ambassador at
Istanbul, Turkey, was the first representative
of the American government in the foreign
land to register on the national roll when he
planted three black walnut trees with Eugene
NJ Hinkle signing the application on the
tional honor roll a witness.
Following this came the registration of Fred
Morris bearing American ambassador at Lima,
Peru, who, with Garrett G. Ackerson, Jr.,
witness, planted to mark the bicentennial
of the birth of Washington at the Country club
at Lima. Another registration also came from
T. E. Libenow, the consular agent at Charnaral,
chile who planted six English walnuts there.
From Cuba came the registration of Eugene E.
iowa, the American consular agent at Sagua
La Grande. PompiIlio Montero, the director of
the board of Sagua Yacht club and secretary
of the Rotary club of Sagua la Grande has also
registered on the national honor roll. In the
name of the Yacht club itself, Eduardo Radelat,
ST., the president of the club registered two
trees. Eduardo Radeat Jr.. registered two more
in his name Manuel Mill and A. NJ. Ribas
have registered also.