The morning call., 1890-12-17
INSTITUTE AFFAIRS.
Sale of the F0lsOm.S Street Prop.
erty Squelched.
No Decisive Action Taken by the Trustees
Toward The Erection of New Msehan-
ics' Library Building.

The improvement of the Mechanics In
stitute property, on the corner of Hayes and
Larkin streets, was discussed at meeting
OF the Board of Trustees last night in the
Library Building on Post street. President
David Kerr presided
The debate was introduced by the Secre-
tary reading previously adopted resolution
to employ an architect to prepare plans and
specifications for new $780, COO building. to
be erected-on a portion of the Pavilion lot.
The burden of the opposition to the reso-
luton rested upon David Farquharson. He
advocated utilizing the present Library
Building for five years more by placing ex-
ira shelves in the room devoted to meetings
of the Trustees, and holding such assem-
blies in the reading-room. The idea of i'm
proving portion of the Pavilion lot and
cramping the space for fair exhibits he con-
sidered premature and tending to disaster.
A BETTER LIBRARY BUILDING.
Irwin c. Stump moved as a substitute for
the resolution under discussion that the
board erect a building on the corner of Lar
kin and Hayes streets for library purposes.
the structure to have $50 feet frontage on
Larkin street, 200 feet in depth, to be five
stories in height, and to cost not less than
100000
The idea of plans for the improvement of
the entire lot was more congenial to Mr.
Farquharson. He desired the exhibition
building to be moved TO the Folsom-street
lot.
Mr.. Stump suggested that the excavation
for basemen in the Pavilion would make
plenty of room for the increase of exhibits,
but Mr.. FarquharSon contended that two
or three story exhibition building is never q
success.
The matter was laid over for further dis
cussion at special meeting to be called by
the President.
The proposal 10 sell the lot at Folsom
street was introduced and permanently
squelched. Mr.. Stump moved that the
Finance Committee be empowered TO nego-
tiate sale of the land within the next
ninety days for 500. 900, subject to the ap-
proval of the members of the institute.
AN ACT OF MADNESS.
The value of the lot was appraised at
100000 by Mr.. Farquharson. He said its
sale would he an act of madness. as it is
the best site in the city for the exhibition.
President Kerr did not believe the board
had the power TO sell the lot. and any at
tempt to do so would stir up hornets
nest.
When the board voted his motion down,
Mr.. Stump stated that he was we'll satisfied
TO have il understood in the future that the
lot was not for sale.
A communication from the Edison Light
Company, requesting payment of $1,000 for
the electric tower at the fair, caused Presi-
dent Kerr to comment severely. upon the
manner in which the contract for that exhi-
bitiOn of electric lights was carried out. He
said the company was five days late in plac-
ing the tower in readiness. and failed to
operate promised flash" apparatus.
On motion the account was referred TO the
Finance Committee with power to dispose
of il.
An objection from the Electrical Engi-
neerng Company to being uaawarded at the
fair was referred to the committee.
A SPECIAL SILVER MEDAL.
BY resolution special silver medal was
awarded to Dodge's vertical compound en-
CINE exhibited at the fair.
The board approved the recommendation
of the Power aud Machinery Committee for
the placing of a better main exhaust steam
pipe at the Pavilion, and also for the pur-
chase of third boiler in time for the next
fair.
Bills amounting to S41o1 Ga, which were
audited by the Finance Committee, were Or
dered to be paid.
Several members were unfavorable to the
recommendation of the Committee on Books
and Donations to empower the Librarian
TO remit fues at his discretion, but it was
adopted.
David II. Kerr and J. C. Cebrian were
elected life members, and the meeting ad-
journed.