Evening star., 1939-08-17

AeoooSN NSAe . 41AAAAy AAOlAlS pv -
for your telegram of August 8 and to
tell you that you have, of course, the
right which all citizens have to pur-
chase any property which you may
desire to acquire.
In regard to the Vanderbilt estate
at Hyde Park, the President asks
me to tell you something of its his
tory which you may not know
This old place was originally de-
veloped about 1850 by DR.. John
Bard. famous physician of New
York, who was George Washington S
doctor during the Revolution. DR..
John Bard was also a naturalist and
began the planting of specimen
trees. The place was then for many
years occupied by his equally famous
son DR.. Samuel Bard. The latter
was one of the founders of the Col
lege of Physicians and Surgeons in
New York but was also greatly in
terested in botany and trees. DR..
Samuel Bard planted trees from
many countries in Europe and the
place therefore took on the char
acter of an arboretum.
He, in turn. was succeeded by his
partner, DR.. David HoSack, who was
also naturalist and who added to
the collection of trees. going as far
/ as Russia and Scandinavia to get
specimens.
/ Later the place was owned by Mr..
| Walter Langdon. Sr.: Mr. Walter
Langdon, jr., and Mr.. Frederick w.
Vanderbilt. All of these gentle
men. like their predecessors, took
special 1ains to preserve the many
interesting examples of trees and
shrubs. replacing Them with new
ones. when necessary.
Thus, the place for nearly 200
years, has acquired a character of
an arboretum containing many ma
ture species of trees from all over
the world that can be found no.
where else in America.
For all of these reasons, the Presi-
dent has felt for many years that
the Vanderbilt place should be ac-
quired preferably by some public or
government body in order that it
might serve the public in perpetuity
as a point of interest to visitors
from all parts of the Nation. The
house itself, which is comparatively
modern, is somewhat expensive to
keep up and because the rooms are
very large, the main floor of the
house would probably serve we'll as
a public museum for the display of
forestry, landscaping and similar
exhibits.
There is, of course, no present
public appropriation for such a pur-
pose at the present moment, but
ever since the death of Mr.. Wander
bllt the President has been trying to
interest public and quasi public Or
ganizations toward this end.
Very sincerely yours,
STEPHEN EARLY,
Secretary to the President.
Rev. M. j. DIVINE,
1887 Madison Avenue,
New York, N. Y.
Father Divine's Second Letter.
10 this Father Divine replied as
follows:
PEACE.
Aug Is, 1899, A. Ed.
FRANKLIN Delano Roosevelt, President
OF U. S. A.
The White House,
Washington.
Mr.. Dear Mr. President:
l receiveL yours of the 14th in
slant and I hasten to reply. 1 do
highly appreciate the information
concerning the Vanderbilt estate at
Hyde Park as given, Your Honor
by your secretary, Mr. Stephen Early
1t has been my aim and purpose
to lift up standard of moral bet
terment for social justice by the
act of the cooperative system, in
cooperation together with others to
improve the economic system, to en-
courage and promote the brother
hood of man and the love for this
democracy.
Therefore, do preach and stress
the Constitution and it's amendments
and the Declaration of Independ-
ence as the two great documents
to be fulfilled in each and eyerv
American citizen, to express their
cltlzenry with the spirit and the
meaning of both it and them full
filled in their experience that they
might be real American citizens.
1t is for this cause that some of
my followers, friends and other rep-
reSentativeS desired to purchase the
vanderbilt estate as my residence
to receive distinguished guests and
also foreign diplomats and other
representatives of the world of af-
fairs, as we hope to bring about a
closer relationship between the ma
tions by negotiation.
My followers, friends and secret
investigators were secretly making
an investigation and were negoti-
ating for the property, as they had
heard that the owners did not desire
to sell to any of my followers. When
this was brought to my attention ]
stopped the negotiation until could
hear from you and Mrs. Roosevelt.
I do not desire to do anything
to embarraSs or antagonize any
one, although this property could
have been purchassG without the
owners knowing directly to whom
it was going However, since it is
agreeable with you and your fam
lily, 1 am sure it will not embar-
rass others but will bring about a
closer relationship between neigh
bors and neighbors in all commu-
mites.
Therefore, will instruct my