Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-17

ID. w. Voorhees, Ohio II S;,,,rl,.tan
mos. r baIaTd. Gilbert ". u oodward
justin \ AGrruG Newton w. Nuttlnc.
John +. Miller
p republican Senator's. 10 rpOublican Afemh.rs
democratic Senators. Sdemocratic Members.
Iotal-2S members of library committees
since 1913. anG every report favorable
Inc necessity for additional accommodations
lot the aaliy increasing demands OF one con-
gressionai library is illustrated by the fact that
the shelving capacity ~ the present library ia
Tor 900 books. while over GOO 600 are piled
ny ana ciGiillEed INTO II wide the annual reports
OF the librarian OF ConErrss). IL must he re-
memoered also that there Is an agt.aaI access
sion 70 tins library of 5000 or $1,000 books
The plan selected by the committee and rc
commended TO Congress for adopt .on Is the "a
suit OF continuous competition OF eleven
years duration. IN which IL of the foremost
members OF the architectural fraternity of this
country and OF ondon. England. participated
The Librarian Of Congress, than whom no one
IL more competent, issued In proper time "a
prospectus. setting forth the multifarious re-
quirements "t this building. which served as :.
guide to The competing architects for the framing
of their designs
This said plan has been freely criticized in all
its aspects 10y eminent architects and distin-
guished Librarians in both hemispheres and re-
celved elaborate encomums, SO that the cues
Settled.
OF all the objections brought forward by the
opposition to this bil none are so unworthy
as those which are aimed at the site selected
for this structure. These objections are two
fold-and are founded on false economy and
transformation. But before controyprtiny these
suggestions word may here be said IN reference
to the paramount requirements of site for Ii
erary structure. lt is an acknowledged fact
that dampness is as damaging and destructive
TO books as fre-the process is only a slower
one. This is not the dampness that arises from
rainy or turbulent weather. The da;ppness I'm
question IS occasloDea 10y the noXious exhala-
tons OF gaseous nature which constantly is
sue from the ground ground air) in low places
and made. hlled-!a grounds and which are dele
ferrous or fatal even 10 animal life. This damn
and roXious atmosphere permeates stone brick
!ron and IN fact iii materials il comes IN con-
tact with and premsturely destroys them THERE'S
ineffective Remedy to prevent this. At certain
times Oft year is greater than at others but II
all times Of the year il is very deleterious and de-
structiye. 1t attacks and dissoives the glue i'm
the paper and in the bindings Of the books: n
disco0rs mildews and ultimately decompuses
books and papers, parchments manuscripts.
rare old writings. Autographs, maps, engrav-
ings. etc.
There is but one sure WAY Of avoiding thin
destruction by dampness. viz: by selecting
site which lies high and dry. and which will
expose as much of the structure as possible to
the constant circulation OF fresh and dry mir
such place is tie site selected. Ii lies high
and dry, and in other respects is suitable aud is
cheap
An examination OF the Official statement of
the cost of sites for public buildings of the gen.
eTal government in eight of our largest cities
Will readily convince everybody OF the cheap
ness OF this site. IL will prove that the average
cost OF these eight sites per square foot is
SllSS, while the square foot of the site selected
is 81 40. or one-eighth; and that at the rate OF
S11. s. per square loot the selected site would
cost 14.3S3. 1928, instead of $3.50 600 which is
what is asked for it. N.Y.