Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-23

ny pICptI SdHltdIy TeSulallOuS uuueT dppTO-
pirate legislation. Such a project Is beyond
the necessities of the present, but not OF the
future and there are many considerations
which commend It to present att ention.
r. L. Hox1E Lieut. Engineers, U. s. A.
To Major VIM. J. T,cining, corps or Engineers,
.. s. A.. Engineer Commissioner d. C.
ABOUT THE CON GRESSIONAL LIBRARY
ITS ORIGIN. HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION
ITS ENORMOUS GROwTH-CoNTAINs ALsEADY
$4,000 VOLUMES - NINETY THOUSAND VOL
UMEs UNSHELvED-NEBD FOR NEW QUARTERS
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARCHITECTS
NO ROOM IN THE CAPITOL-ANOTHsR BUILDING
EECEssARY-THE TWO SITES PROPOSED.
The Congressional Library Is an Institution
as well known to Westinghouse ms as the Cor
coran Art gallery, but few OF those who fee
quent Its alcoves and reading room are aware
OF the vast number OF books periodicals., CHI arts,
maps, etc., contained In the library. The fouu
dalton OF the library was laid eighty years ago.
one or the provisions OF an act of Congress re-
70 Washington, appropriated s., 600 for the pur-
cnase or such books as may be necessary for
the use OF Congress at the city OF Washington"
This act was passed on the oath OF April, 1900,
splendid library. At that time Washington city
contained less than 500 Inhabitants and
in The United States embracing over 5000 vol
umes. In January, 1902, Congress passed an
act, after considerable discussion, making s. 500
available for books for the library, regulating
the use OF books, creating the joint committee
On library, and giving the President the author
lily to appoint librarian. Until 1915 the clerks
OF the House OF Representatives were the libra
Tians of Congress. Since that time there have
been but four librarians viz: George WatterSOn,
appointed by James Madison, served IA years.
JChn 5. Meeham. appointed by Gen. Jackson,
by Mr.. Lincoln, served years, and the present
incumbent. Ainsworth +. Sponord, appointed
by Mr.. Lincoln in 1864, who has served over 16
years. When the British forces burned the Cap
ftoi, In 1914, they destroyed the library, which
then contained but 5000 volumes.
PURCHASE OF THE JEFFERSON LIBRARY.
When Congress convened In special session In
september, 1914, there was not book of the
library left. just when Congress was puzzled
as to the best means Of beginning restoration
OF the library letter was received from Thomas
Jefferson Offering his valuable collection of
TO the government upon its oTn terms. Toe
Senate promptly passed bill authorizing the
purchase Of Jefferson's library, but 1t was Bit
telly antagonized in the House: some OF the
members holding that the collection contained
more books than Congress had any use for.
The bill, however, finally passed the House by a
vote OF 81 yeas to Il nays Then there were
delays and discussions in Congress over the
question as to where the books should be set up.
The collection remained In the post Office build
ing for three years, was then removed to the
Capitol, and In 1924, opened and set up IN the
present location OF the library. Meantime
The animal appropriation for the purchase OF
PER annun. and In 1924 1t was raised to $1,000.
In 1851 fire from defective 1lue destroyed
80 GOO volumes, leaving only 10000 remaining
with which to again start the library. Con-
gress was aroused, by this fire. to the necessity
Of doing something for the library without de-
lay, and an appropriation OF $4,000 was made
or the repairing and restoring OF the library,
and OF SIS, 600 for the purchase of books.
OTHER ACCESSIONS.
The next steps In the way Of improving and
building up the library were the construction
Of the two wings In 1865, and the immediate
ii ling Of each with $4,000 volumes-15O,OoO In
the two; the acquisition OF the great Smithso-
MAN library in 1866; the purchase Of the Peter
Force historical collection for 100000 in 1861,
and the enactment OF the copyright Law In 1870.
In 1864 the library contained Sc All Volumes but
1t has grown with each year since until last
Vt ar QS79) its contents included 3I4 022 yolImt
In short, it has been more than quairuplet iIr
Ing the last sixteen years, and since Nj 5 ,lc
ford became librarian II Is now the tentl CO.
lection OF books, In size, in the world.
NINETY THOUSAND VOLUMES PILED on TIE
FLOOR
At present the library contains mora than
$4,000 volumes, and in the space assigned to it
there is only shelf-room for 25O,c00, leaving
10000 to be piled in heaps on the floor or In the
alcoyes or On the shelves behind other books.
In addition to the books there are 10000 pam
embracing more than century OF American
history complete sets Of the London Tinles
since 1896, OF the London Gazette since 1868, and
1ea s ali the Engsn se and ' Hm ana Gl
reviews and magazines. Two newspapers
from each state, representing both po-
litical parties, have nave. been taken ~, for
is an Immense accumulation OF maps and
charts illustrative Of the chartography OF this
country In every stage OF its Development. The
~ IN r-n t..n
record OF copyright and to receive copyright
publications for the United States In 1879
there We're more than $4,000 entries OF copy
copies or the publication are required to be
deposited In the library. The value OF the
Law books alone deposited under this law is
the ten years OF the operation OF this law an
immense number of prints engravings,
chIomo nos and photographs, some OF them of
IDLY forming collection, which will mlkea
most instructive gallery OF the arts or design
IN America. There Is not room In the library
all these other things periodicals, engravings,
maps, etc, have TO bundled up and piled away
Ia heaps. There Is not room even Tor packing
ana unpacklng, without using space intended
lCr readers and visitors.
EVERYWHERE PILES AND STACKS OF BOOKS
greet the eye. For six or seven years the libra
lan has been urging Congress to provide addl-
tionai accommodations, and While all the men,
Oers OF both houses recognize the Importance
the necessity, or this, differences Of opinion as
10 a Site Tor the proposed new library has pre-
vented final action. AT the last session OF Con-
gless an act was passed authorizing the ap-
pcintment Of three expert architects to consider
aud report upon the question OF increased
Library accommodations. The gentlemen Sc
lected were Messrs. Edward Clark and John l..
Sinlthmeyer, OF Washington, and Alexander 4.
Esiy, or Boston. They have had several meet
ings during the summer, and have agreed
unanimously, upon report, which will be sub
mitted to Congress at the coming session. This
report is to the effect that while the Capitol can
be enlarged without injury to the architectural
harmony and beauty or that edi1ce, no such en-
large ment
COULD POSSIBLY GIVE THE NEEDED ROOM
for tie great and rapidly growing library. The
joint committee of Congress on the library will