Evening star., 1938-11-16
Removal Of Trees
For Memorial Site
Is Under Way
81 Cherry and II Elm
Trees Are Involved
In CIeorina

Federal park officials disclosed to-
day that work already is under way
to transplant or destroy 81 cherry
trees and II American elms to clear
the foundation site of the Thomas
Jefferson Memorial on the south
shore of the Tidal Basin. They esti-
mated that the entire operation
might involve the removal or de-
struction of Ill of the 1923 cherry
trees in the memorial area.
Workmen today first marked
about so holly trees and an assort-
ment of other trees for destruction
or removal. Tree specialists have
been at work on the site for several
days. officials said, as it is planned
to remove all the trees within a 300
foot radius before contracts for the
foundation are awarded. Bids for
the contract are to be opened Mon
day by the National Park Service.
Roosevelt Considers Fate.
Meanwhile President Roosevelt is
understood still to be considering
the fate of the cherry trees in con-
nection with the memorial plans.
At yesterdays press conference he
said he probably would have some
thing to say about the matter Fri
day.
The number of trees actually in
volved on the foundation site is
somewhat larger than the estimate
made last Thursday. At that time
park officials said So cherry trees
were involved in the foundation,
and that 20 of these would be cut
down. The remainder would be
transplanted in other park areas.
The fact that II elms also are
doomed within the foundation area
was made known for the first time
today.
"As many trees as possible will be
saved by transplanting." park
official explained.
Officials pointed out that the re-
moval was going on now because
this is the proper season for trans
planting before the ground freezes.
Meanwhile L. A. Carruthers, pres
ident of the Federation of Citizens
Associations, announced he has
called special meeting of his Ex-
ecutive Committee tonight to con-
slider the cherry tree controversy.
The session will be held at o'clock
in Room LOG in The Star Building
Mass Protest Planned.
Meanwhile, Executive Committees
and officers of many of the city's
women's organizations prepared to
discuss plans for a mass protest
against the destruction of the cherry
trees. A meeting of the repre-
sentatives has been called for II 80
am. tomorrow at No. IS Dupont
circle. Among the women's groups
to participate in the session are the
District of Columbia Federation of
Women's Clubs and the District of
Columbia Parent Teacher Associa-
ton.
A resolution protesting destruc-
ton of the trees was passed yester-
day by members of the Housekeep-
erS Alliance, VINO decided to send q
representative to the mass meeting
tomorrow.
At regular monthly meetings last
night, several civic organizations
passed resolutions opposing destruc-
ton Of the trees. Members of the
Petworth Citizens Association said
they are not In favor of the me-
mortal # its. construction necessi-
(eates removal of any of the trees.
The Council of Southeast Citizens
Associations voted to send letter
OF protest to President Roosevelt,
while the Benning Citizens Associa-
ton said that the proposed memorial
would not compensate for the loss
of the trees.