Crosby High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Waterbury, CT)

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fa- BLUE AND WHITE '22 Tree Oration THE NEED OF CONSERVATION by JOSEPH T. NOLAN When our forefathers settled along the Atlantic seaboard they found themselves confronted with impregnable forests that seemed to extend end- lessly toward the west. Forced by the need of cleared land upon which to grow crops, the settlers, malignantly lacking in a sense of proportion attacked the forests with fire and axe. This practice continued, especially as our country became more and more densely populated. Lofty pines which formerly revelled in all their pristine splendor disappeared rapidly. Despite this prodigal destruction of our trees, there have always been some people who mourned the exodus of the virgin forests. The settlers of the Plymouth colony recognized the necessity of trees to their daily life, and attempted the first forestry legislation in America. In spite of this noble effort, the waste mounted to appalling proportions, and only occasional spasmodic laws were passed to prevent it. Not until 1891 did the country adopt anything like a national policy to stem the sequence of forest wastes. Since the days of Gifford Pinchot during Theodore Roosevelt's administration, however, con- servation and reforestation have become relevant issues. The executive leaders of the present administration fully realize the necessity of conservation and have established various governmental branches such as the Citizens Conservation Corp more generally referred to as the C.C.C. You doubtless have heard the following verses by Henry Abbey which endeavor to portray the usefulness and value of trees: What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the ships which will cross the sea, We plant the mast to carry the sails, We plant the planks to withstand the gales, The keel, the keelson, the beam, the knee, We plant the ship when we plant the tree. 19-CROSBY-38

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'Q' BLUE AND WHITE The Creed of the Crosbyite 1. I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign states, a perfect union, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity, for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.-Williafiz Tyler Page 2. I believe in the grand Old Commonwealth of Connecticut, the pioneer mother of political liberty, because she had the first written democratic Constitution in history and because she has kept step in the march of events for the amelioration of mankind. I believe in this my state because, as a political, social, and moral entity she stands in the front rank before all the world, in freedom, in toleration, in education,-in everything that fosters culture, progress, and good-will among men. 3. I believe in the City of Wfaterbury, because its government, its leading citizens, are doing all they can to make it a desirable place in which to live. I believe in it because of the mutual respect and goodwill among all races, classes and conditions of citizens. Here law and order reign. Here are work, amusement, education for all. Here when all the world is troubled are peace, harmony, and neighborly fellow-feeling among all citizens. I believe that from Athens down to the present no city that ever existed was more desirous than the City of Waterbury to make its citizens Prosperous, Enlightened and Progressive. 4. I believe in Crosby High School, and I am profoundly grateful to the City of Waterbury for founding and liberally supporting an institution like it, where I may lay the foundation of the deepest, the most liberal culture. And if the hour of peril ever comes to this city or to this state I believe that in return for what I am receiving in this school I am bound in conscience to leave everything even to the sacrifice of my life-that I may defend the constituted order of things for the coming generations, and preserve that stability of government of the people, for the people, by the people, which has prevailed in this state from the very beginning of its existence. 19-CROSBY-38

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BLUE AND WHITE What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the houses for you and me, We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors, We plant the studding, the lath, the doors, The beams, the siding, all parts that be, We plant the house when we plant the tree. What do we plant when we plant the tree? A thousand things that we daily see, We plant the spire that outtowers the crag, We plant the staff for our country's flag, We plant the shade, from the hot sun free, We plant all these when we plant the tree. Although the purpose of forestry is very definite, namely, to care for forests and make the most of their products, the problem of forestry presents a myriad of complications. While it seeks to prevent the present generation from despoiling the future of that which is right, it must avoid the opposite error of saving for the future at the expense of present welfare. That is, it is not merely a question of forest preservation. The government of the country could not simply decree that no trees were to be cut down, and thereby have the solution of the entire problem, for trees must be cut continually to supply imperative needs. But there should be other forests growing up to supplant those being cut. The work of the forestry service, therefore, includes the pre- servation of forests, the reforestation of areas which have been cut, and the planting of regions which have, before, been treeless. The necessity of conservation has become apparent through the increased use of substitutes for lumber. In this age cement, stone, steel and glass bricks are used extensively in the construction of houses. Today we dedicate this tree in the name of the Class of 1938-trusting that it may always be a symbol of the growth we hope for. Inseparable in our minds is the desire to honor in this dedication, the loving memory of jimmy Arnold, who, until so short a time ago, actively participated in our little citizenry. With these two symbols-this tree's promise of growth, and Jimmy's example of high-hearted endeavor, we humbly dedicate our lives to the un- compromising future. 19-CROSBY-38