Evening star., 1938-11-18
Roosevelt
Refuses 70 Halt
Memorial
Agitation to Save
Cherry Trees Hit
As 'FIim-FIum'

President Roosevelt today fatty
refused to intervene with the con-
stituted authorities to save 88 cherry
trees on the foundation site of the
Thomas Jefferson Memorial, dis
missing the agitation, which he said
was aroused by the owner of two
local newspapers, as the worst case
OF m-f1amming the public TO
which Washington has been sub
jected in long time.
Even as he discussed the Tidal
Basin cherry trees at a press con-
ference, $50 angry women wrapped
themselves in chains to cherry trees,
took ShovelS from Workmen and
started Shoveling dirt back into holes
dug around the trees and stood
around muttering bitter comments
about the congressional double
cross
Told that a group of women had
announced they would chain them
selves to the trees to prevent their
destruction, the President laughingly
replied that he would order the trees
removed any way, the women as we'll
as the trees. Congress having de-
clded that the memorial should be
built on the Tidal Basin site. MI.
Roosevelt said there was nothing
he could or would do to intervene.
Bids to Be Opened Monday.
The Presidents decision, which
was anticipated in official circles,
means that bids for the construction
OF the foundation will be opened
by the National Park Service next
Monday as scheduled. and the con-
tract awarded soon thereafter.
Informed of the Presidents an
nouncement, spokesmen for the
women declared they would appeal
to the Commissioners to seek
court restraining order that would
prevent removal of the cherry trees.
Some of the sting of the Presi-
dents scathing criticism of the case
of film Tanning "a word he used
three or four times in connection
with the agitation-was removed by
his own personal chuckles.
Quoting Al Smiths famous re-
mark. Let's look at the record" the
President pulled out memorandum.
Sees Gain of 9l2 Trees.
The actual net loss of cherry trees
on the foundation site is 88 trees. he
reminded. With 1000 trees that
/ eventually will be planted within the
wide area of the's site and grounds he
pointed out the net gain would be
9l2 trees.
! Mr.. Roosevelt reviewed the history
of the plans for the Jefferson Me-
mortal and caused much laughter
when he finally summed up that
when he returns to visit Washington
he will be attracted by the fine me-
mortal on the Tidal Basin and the
1000 cherry trees that will make 1t
better than ever before
What year do YOU expect to come
back?" he was asked.
The President replied heartily
that he would come early and often.
Mr.. Roosevelt said it was difficult
10 believe that there was so much
feeling aroused over the fate of the
trees. but explained he was afraid
he would have TO say something
impolite about the newspapers. He
did not mean all the papers, he ex-
planned. in adding that the film
fam game was started by the
owner of two papers apparently to
make campaign of misconceptlon.
At this point Mr.. Roosevelt took
sheath of newspaper clippings which
he carefully guarded from prylng
eyes and read them to the circle OF
newsmen and women. From tins
record the number of trees ranged
from 600 of all kinds within the
memorial site to 1913 cherry trees
that would be removed.
Public aroused to find 1913 cherrJ
trees to be removed was the ina
headline quoted.
Putting the clippings back on his
desk, the President repeated that al
/ this represented the worst case o
film famming" the dear old Cap
ital has been subjected to in a Ions
time. 1t was then that he followed
AL Smiths oft-repeated advice ant
produced records that had beu
turned over to him by park offlclaE
tSee CHERRY TREES, Page Ais