Evening star., 1940-06-02

absolutely unnecessary and too ex-
pensive and that systems of one-way
streets would care for traffic better.
3. That specific ree-protective
regulations are neither enforced or
even incorporated in street contracts
or permits to do street work.
Lax Prosecution CHARGED.
4. That damage to trees by pri-
vate citizens is not prosecuted under
existing laws.
S. That trees are not replaced
with a view to the ultimate width
Of streets.
6. That no comprehensive tree
protective plan, tree census or tree
planting program has ever been
developed by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission,
whose responsibility it should be
to deal with the problem by ad-
vising the Highway Department.
Z. That when bitches are dug
near trees they should be filled with
rich earth instead of cinders, clay
and broken cement.
8. That funds for tree planting
and particularly maintenance are
grossly inadequate.
8. That tree wells should be
bricked over to prevent hard-pack-
ing of earth and that a continuous
brlcked-over strip should exist be-
tween the curb and the sidewalk.
10. That street trees should be
fertilized. watered and aerated to a
far greater extent and that disease
control programs should be in
creased far beyond present spraying
rounds.
To these Capt. whitehurst an
swers:
l. That there are more things to
be considered in the life of a big
city than its trees. To place the
public utility lines in the middle of
the street would be more costly
than it would be worth and would
disrupt traffic. Connecting lines to
buildings would have to be much
longer and could not be ALWAYS
straight if they were to avoid trees.
he says.
Widening Held Necessary.
z. Street widening Is necessary to
handle greatly increased traffic.
Substitution Of one-way streets
would not be as desirable as wider
streets.
8. All contracts and permits for
street and public utility work con-
tain tree protective requirements.
Work must be done in such a way
as to protect" the trees and a long
list OF other items in which trees
are included. is the wording used.
4. Mr.. Lanham, Capt. White
hurst's subordinate, admits few
violations Of tree protective laws are
prosecuted. When he was younger.
ne says. he hauled many an Of
fender against the trees into court"
because he formerly had police
authority when the Department of
Trees and Parkings was an inde-
pendent organ Of the District Gov
ernment. This authority does not
exist any longer and the police must
De relied on to enforce the law.
Practically no cases involving dam.
age to trees by the public are
prosecuted nowadays, he admits.
5. Capt. Whitehurst asserts that
trees are planted with a view to
the ultimate width of streets where
streets have been widened. He said,
however, that new trees planted on
new streets, which might have to
be Wldened some day, were planted
on the curb line and that construc-
ton OF new street did not count
as street widening.
6. Officials OF the National CAPITAL
Park and Planning Commission ad-
NIT they have worked out no tree
protective and planting program or
scheme for taking a tree census.
T. Capt. Whitehurst says that If
bitches were filled with rich earth
pavement above could not be sup
ported.
Funds Held Inadequate.
3. Mr.. Lanham asserts his funds
are inadequate. Capt. Whitehurst
asks-the funds of what depart
ment IN the District Government
aren't? Mr.. Lanham estimates
that 1t would take him IL years to
make single round Of tree pruning
throughout the city with his present
maintenance force.
3. Capt. Whitehurst says bricked
over tree wells and strips to pre-
vent hard packing of earth and
increase air and water for the trees
would be too costly and would result
IN too many complaints from the
public. 'O
III. Mr.. Lanham admits any com.
prehensive fertilizing, airing or
watering program for street trees
IS impossible with present funds
and that disease control must con-
slst through necessity of what spray.
ing and surgery he can do each year
with his small resources.
Those who fear for the future Of
the trees are of the opinion that
Washington's reputation as a city
OF trees is doomed unless all DOS
slole Efforts are made to protect the
trees and aid them in their fight
against the enormous odds presented
py modern city. Few cities at
tempt to have trees in their more
congested areas because of the ex-
pense involved. There are WASH
lngtonians, however, who believe
washington should not run the risk
OF sacrificing its tree-nned streets.
They fear the young trees now be-
ing planted will never have the ad.
vantages which their predecessors
had before them when Washington
was only a big town and that the
toll wrought on mature trees now
lining the streets will materially
increase as the effects of the last
Is years urban expansion are felt
more and more.
The Highway Department, whose
main task, after all, is not to pro-
vide trees but efficient highways, is
inclined to believe the trees have
always taken care Of themselves and