Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
CANNOT BE HURRIED.
Why More Rapid Progress is Not
Made in the Library Matter.
VIEWS ON A SITE ARE IN ORDER.
A Heavy Increase in Tonnage OIL the ALLIE
gheny Valley Road.
MRS. FORD FAVORS SUMMER CONCERTS

"Whv is there not some progress in the
selection of site or sites for the Carnegie
lbrary?" was asked Chairman James B.
Scott, OF the commission, at his Office yes
terday. Yankeelike, Mr.. Scott answered one
question by another. "Why does not the
public indulge in more discussion of the
sites known to be within availability"
BY way of explaining himself more fully,
Mr.. Scott allowed THE DISPATCH repre-
sentative to copy his just-written
letter to the Trades Assembly in
answer to its formal communication:
1t will be remembered that the Trades
Assembly, at its meeting of Saturday.
March %, adopted formal resolutions pro-
testing against the Point Breeze site, and
suggesting popular vote as the best means
of arriving at an idea of tine most desirable
location. Mr.. Scott's lengthy and cour-
teous reply will tend to disabuse the popu-
lar mind in regard to many allegations
made at random as to the intentions OF the
commission. 1t is as follows, in full:
MR.. SCOTT IN REPLY.
MARCH %, 1890.
Mr.. Charles F. warde, Secretary Trades Assem-
bly, of Western Pennsylvania, Box 662 Pitts
burg.
DEAR S1R-Your favor of the 24th inst
reached me this afternoon, marked posted at
o'clock this morning. 1t incloses resolutions of
the Trades Assembly of Western Pennsylva-
mia" relative an alleged selected site for the
Carnegie Library. viz: at Point Breeze.
This location has never been proposed to or
by the Library Commission, and therefore has
never been considered by that body. What
private or personal remark may have been
made about II. do not know. 1t is probable
that had it been proposed it would have met
with objections of various character.
The Library Commission will certainly give
respectful consideration to any and all proper
suggestions regarding the matter of site, and,
indeed. invites such suggestions in the hope
that through popular expression on this subject
its members may be assisted to right conclu-
sion, and to this end, the communication of
your assembly will be received as valued con-
trlDutiOn to the discussion upon this interest
ing detail.
THE CITY'S RAPID GROWTH.
Our city is growing so rapidly that the citi-
zens of one section can hardly realize the great
developments and additions to the populations
of other sections. A popular vote such as is
suggested in your paper. while an excellent
idea in some respects, would, think-in addi-
tion to delay-result in showing preference in
each large community for location within its
own limits (Which is natural), but would hardly
prove the advantage of one locality over an
other. but rather furnish census of the popu-
latiun of each section.
1t is gratifying to have such evidence as is
afforded by the letter of your Assembly of the
great and growing interest in the munificenJ
enterprise of Mr.. Carnegie 1t must be much
more gratifying to that gentleman himself to
notice such appreciation of his endeavors to-
ward the benefit of his feliowmen in the city
of his business success - his first American
home.
am certain that when Mr.. Carnegie's scheme,
in its full scope and character, with its adapta-
tions TO the several points and localities of
close populations, shall have been fully pub
lished and understood it will carry with 1t the
cordial appreciation of the general public, in
cluding the worthy organization which you
have the honor to represent Very respect
fully, JAMES b. SCOTT.
WHY SUCH A DELAY.
Mr.. Scott stated that the delay in deter
mining site was due to several reasons.
In the first place, it is Mr.. Carnegie's desire
to secure as many expressions of opinion as
to location as possible. In the second place,
there is so much in connection with the
general plan that is inchoate and crude, that |
time must be given 10 formulate plans in
detail. Mr.. Scott refused to be quoted any
further upon the subject.
The commission, while acting in final |
manner upon all matters in connection with |
the Free Library. will, of course. defer to |
Mr.. Carnegie's wishes, in whole or in part. |
The following explicit confirmation of the |
recent item in this paper shows very clearly |
what Mr.. Carnegie's wishes are:
A gentleman who knows Mr.. Carnegie |
very well met the millionaire recently in
New York. The Pittsburger is interested |
in the location of the library, and when he
asked Mr.. Carnegie which was
his choice of sites, the iron
man promptly replied that he
nreferred the Redford basin nronertv near
the High School, overlooking the city. He
had personally visited the ground, and he
preferred the location beyond all Others
The fact that the city owns the property
makes it desirable from a pecuniary stand
point But Mr.. Carnegie had decided to
leave the selection of the site to the COM
mission.