Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-28
HARRISON TO OPEN It
Mr.. Carnegie Telegraphs the
Presidents Promise.
JAS. B. SCOTT SUMMONED
To Washington to Confer as to the
Free Library Opening.
THE DATE is AS YET UNCERTAIN

Andrew Carnegie has secured President
Harrison's consent to be present and formally
open the Carnegie Free Library and Music
Hall of Allegheny City.
A few moments before 6 o'clock last even
ing a DISPATCH reporter was sitting In
Mr.. James B. Scott's private Office when a
telegraph messenger boy entered with an
envelope in hand. Mr. Scott tore it open
and read it; whistled softly, and handed it
to the newspaper man for perusaI. 1t was
to the following effect:
President Harrison will open the library.
Can you leave Pittsburg tonight and meet me
here tomorrow, to arrange details Of pro-
gramme ETC.? Answer Hotel n ormandie.
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
Mr.. Scott is man of action. He looked
at his watch and consulted a railroad guide.
Then he wrote telegram saying that he
would be in Washington in the morning.
After hurried preparations and a hasty
supper he departed for Washington via the
Baltimore and Ohio express leaving at e:2O
WILL TALK WITH BEN.
Messrs. Carnegie and Scott will have an
audience with the President tomorrow
afternoon. Mr.. Scott stated that the open
ing exercises had been projected for Thurs
day evening, February 6, but as President
Harrison's convenience will doubtless be
consulted, it is possible that the date an
uounced in an Associated Press dispatch
from Washington, d. c., last night-Tues-
day, February 11-wiIl be the ultimate de-
cision.
Considerably over a month since Mr..
Carnegie impaired to few friends in this
city the fact that be had President Harri-
sons assurance that if possible he would
open the library. Mr.. Carnegie also had
definite promi e from Hon. James G. Blaine
that he would be present whether the Presi-
dent was able to come or no. The recent
distressing bereavements of the Secretary of
State have rendered his presence problemat-
icaL
1t is not known whether Mrs. Harrison
will accompany the President. Mrs, Nc
Kee will undoubtedly be present, however.
An effort will be made to induce some of
the Cabinet to be present, and several Seua-
tors and Congressmen are locked for in ad-
dition TO the Presidents party.
The Carnegie Free Library and Music
Hall will be the first institution of its
nature
OPENED BY THE PRESIDENT,
and an address from General Harrison and
a reply by Mr.. Carnegie may be looked for
as features of the occasion. AS noted by
THE SUNDAY DISPATCH the musical poE-
tion of the programme of the opening night
is in the capable hands of Mr.. c. c. Mellor
The announcement of the intended visit of
the President may cause slight revisions of
the proposed plans
1t is a singular fact that there is no prop
erly constituted authority to receive the
building on behalf of the city of Allie
.gheny from the donor and the Carnegie
Building Commission, of which Mr.. James
B. Scott is Chairman. There has been no
ordinance finally framed and presented to
Councils, and the next meeting of both
branches of Councils will take place after
the formal opening of the building has
taken place. Just what will be done in the
matter is a subject OF considerable discus
sion. In the meantime the arrangements
for the details of the opening are being con-
cluded, but will not be announced for sew
eral DAYS.