turned into a people's park. At one time the banks of the Danube were gradually becoming disfigured by large quantities of stone being taken away; it was then determined that the stone for public buildings should be obtained from those quarries which did not interfere with the landscape. In 1841 an order was issued which dealt more especially with the trees, making it almost impossible to remove or alter the existing avenues in the streets. It also provided that oaks, elms and beeches be specially looked after, and also many trees connected with history or legends. By the Bavarian forest law of 1852, private as well as public forests came under State superintendence. About 1902 an order was circulated that for the welfare and the increase of birds, hedges and bushes should be planted, or existing ones looked after. Moreover, uncommon birds were to be particularly safeguarded and spared, as complaints had been made that their number was decreasing. Similarly, orders were issued for the preservation of certain local plants which were threatened with extinction in the neighborhood of Garmisch. several cases telephone wires have been laid underground, and in Saxony a certain proposed mountain railway was not built in order not to spoil the view. In More recently, similar regulations have been made in Prussia. There in 1903 a law was passed forbidding the disfigurement of provincial neighborhoods by advertisements, and Saxony, Baden, Hesse and Weimar have all adopted, in one respect or another, the same precautions. It would appear from Professor Conwentz that Europe is far in advance of the United States in the regulation of bill-boards. WOMEN'S AUXILIARY. The officers and executive committee of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society remain the same as reported last year, namely: Founder and organizer, Mrs. M. Fay Peirce. Honorary Presidents, Mrs. M. Fay Peirce, Mrs. William Brookfield. President, Miss Mary Van Buren Vanderpoel. Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Robert Abbe, Mrs. Archibald Alexander, Mrs. L. D. Alexander, Mrs. F. II. Bosworth, Miss S. F. Brodhead, Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, Mrs. Henry F. Dimock, Mrs. Charles R. Flint, Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen, Mrs. J. W. Henning, Mrs. Robert Hoe, Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, Mrs. A. T. E. Kirtland, Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Mrs. B. B. Odell, Jr., Mrs. Isaac N. Phelps, Mrs. James W. Pinchot, Mrs. William Rhinelander, Mrs. I. N. Seligman, Mrs. George P. Slade and Mrs. Henry Villard. Recording Secretary, Mrs. Edward Emerson Waters, 108 West Forty-third street, New York City. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Virgil P. Humason, Yonkers, N. Y. Treasurer, Mrs. James E. Pope, East Orange, N. J. Executive Board, Mrs. Geo. S. Bixby, Mrs. James A. Blanchard, Mrs. Emil L. Boas, Mrs. J. W. Boothby, Mrs. William Brookfield, Mrs. John C. Coleman, Mrs. J. H. Crossman, Mrs. J. R. Curran, Mrs. S. M. Evans, Mrs. R. H. Greene, Mrs. J. C. Marin, Mrs. J. T. Pultz, Mrs. C. D. Sabin, Mrs. C. H. Terry and Mrs. S. R. Weed. The auxiliary was organized especially for the preservation of Washington's Headquarters (the Jumel Mansion), Fraunces' Tavern and the Poe Cottage in New York City. The first two objects having been attained by means heretofore reported, the Auxiliary's solicitude is now particularly directed toward the saving of the Poe Cottage. GENERAL WORK AND CONCLUSION. In the foregoing pages we have recorded only the most salient features of the Society's work during the year and events related to the general objects for which we have labored during the past thirteen years. It is impossible in these limits to convey any adequate idea of the numerous other matters which have en gaged our attention from time to time. The condition of the parks and monuments and other municipal conditions in New York City have received a large amount of attention, and at the upper end of Manhattan Island some very interesting archæological excavations have been made which we shall hope to be able to report more fully another year. Tree protection, tree labeling, the care of neglected monuments, the recommendation of tablets, the identification of sites, the preservation of many buildings not mentioned herein, and the giving of counsel and information to individuals, officials and organizations throughout the country have involved much labor. The correspondence of the Society alone has grown to large proportions, due to the demand for information from all parts of the United States. The unique position which we occupy has also been indicated by the increased number of requests from public libraries and institutions of learning in this and other States for our annual reports, due in part to the notices contained in the bulletins of the State Education Department. The supply of these reports furnished by the State printer is inadequate to meet the demands, and we have had to have additional copies printed at our own expense. With so many evidences of the Society's usefulness and of public confidence the Trustees feel amply rewarded for their sacrifices of time and attention during the past year, and entertain a growing sense of appreciation of the public spirit of the Hon. Andrew H. Green who founded, of the Legislature which chartered, and of the Legislatures and individuals who have supported the work of the organization. All of which is respectfully submitted. GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, EDWARD HAGAMAN HALL, Secretary. President. |