Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-09
A VISIT TO ALLEGHENY.
MR.. CARNEGIE TAKES A QUIET LOOK AT
HIS GIFT.
He Wished to Examine His First Local
Library yCriticaIly-GreatIy Pleased With
the Work His Wealth and Generosity
Have WrouRht.

| He Wished to Examine His First Local
Library yCriticaIIy-GreatIy Pleased With
the Work His Wealth and Generosity
Have Wrought.
At $50 O'Clock last evening Mr.. Carnegie,
accompanied by Mr.. Scott, drove up to the
Federal street entrance of the Carnegie Free
Library in Allegheny, and entered the
building. His own expression explained his
errand. As he shook hands with Superin-
tendent Waddington, Mr.. Carnegie said;
"When was last here it was in a blaze OF
| glory, and 1 recollect but little of what /
saw. 1 want now to examine it critically
and quietly"
The reading room was visited first. Mr..
Carnegie said: 81 see newspapers here,
but no books. That library ought to be
moved across the street. This room is GER
| tainlv exquisite and fascinating" Crossing
by the fireplace his eyes fell upon Bryan
Wallis portrait of himself He tried to
pass without stopping, hut MIR. Scott de-
tanned him forcibly, and explained that Mr.
Wall had had to give the portrait a high
color. ''Oh, we'll" said the subject, 'I
don't mind liberties taken with my COM
plexIon."
ALL Is ADMIRABLE.
The stairs were ascended to the Art
Gallery. "This is a beautiful ROOM" said
Mr.. Carnegie. 1.-THE great success of that
art loan exhibition ought to result in
periodical events of similar nature 1
think that exhibited paintings ought to be
so handled as to insure the public some
thing new at each exhibition. There is a
grand future here for local art" He was
much interested in the lecture room, and
thought the whole upstairs arrangement of
the building admirable.
The party then went underneath, through
the cellar to the music hall. Engineer
Fisher explained the workings of the ma
chinery, and Mr. Carnegie said: ''To this
day 1 cannot understand how 1 was rich
enough to create such beautiful building"
On reaching the music hall, Mr.. Car
negie and Mr.. Scott went TO the gallery,
while the newIy-elected organist, Mr.. Leon
ard Wales, assumed the organ and pro-
ceeded to develop the beauties Of the instru-
ment Mr.. Carnegie remarked afterward
that he felt like the King of Bavaria, who
once had Wagner opera performed in
Bayreuth for his exclusive benefit.
PERFECT HARMONY.
The impromptu recital lasted 20 minutes,
and closed with some Scotch ballads Mr..
Carnegie commended the organ verv highly,
the organ and hall was perfect. He also
thanked the organist warmly. Subse-
quently Mr.. Carnegie said ior publication:
SIN providing for the giving of free re-
citals. Allegheny Councils have done wisely
and we'll. The plan is one that, entrusted
to capable hands, must go forward always.
The benefit to be derived is no less i'm
portant than the literary portion of the build
ing. Music is humanizing agent, and the
pipe organ in this hall has been SO success
full that nv plans for the Pittsburg music
hall include much larger instrument, aud
a hail three times as large, at least.
81 see the Allegheny hall producesa reve-
nue. from societies or persons able to pay. In
the free organ recitals Councils can return
to the masses what the classes pay. Mr..
Wales selection as organist is personally
pleasing to me, and I shall watch the plan
and expect only the best of results"