Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-17
LOOKING FOR A HOME.
The Building Committee of the Acad-
emy Of Arts and Sciences
FACING A VERY KNOTTY PROBLEM.
Temporary Quarters Needed for lis Grow
ing Collection.
MEETING TO-DAY TO TALK 1T OVER

The Building Committee of the Academy
OF Arts and Sciences will hold a meeting
this afternoon at o'clock to consider the
very bothersome problem of an immediate
home for the various societies whose men,
bership constitutes the body. Mr.. c. C.
Mellor, who is enthusiastic over the founda-
tlon of the academy, and who has worked
lncessantly for its promotion, made an ex-
PLANTATION yesterday OF the difficulties that
at present confront the committee. Mr..
George A Macbeth is Chairman of the
committee, the other members being John A.
Brashear, W. S. Bell, George S. Orth and
DR.. W. j. Holland.
Mr.. Mellor said: 'T am not a member of
the Building Committee, but / take an
active interest in the progress Of the Acad-
envy scheme. We need building imme-
6iately, in order to accomplish the actual
amslgsmation of the various scientific and
artistic bodies now included in the Acad-
envy. We had hoped to obtain the old Tnaw
mansion, on Fifth street, by permission of
Mrs. Thaw, but it seems that the will gives
her nc control, and we must rent the build
ing off the trustees. 1t is said that the
rental will be placed at g, 500 per annum,
just 81, 900 more than we can afford to paw.
1t is hinted that Curry University desires to
rent the Thaw mansion, and it is to ascer-
tain what can be done that the committee is
to meet tomorrow.
THE BUILDING NEEDED.
Il is the idea Of the Academy to secure a
building large enough to accommodate each
society in a separate room, with, perhaps, a
1arT for i
hibitions. The importance of the necessity
of such a building will be better understood |
with the explanation that the collection of |
curiosities which will be housed under one |
roof is meant to be the nucleus of the mu-
scum which is a portion of Mr. Carnegie's |
plans. Our Academy library must in like |
manner grow to much larger proportions in |
the next two or three years, in order to be |
adequate to the home Mr.. Carnegie will |
provide. In order to achieve all these ends. |
1t is absolutely necessary that the present |
societies get together speedily and commence |
work with the future in view.
Each of the societies has much that is |
valuable to contribute to the general plan,
but nothing can be done without permanent |
quarters. The latter will also assure us |
the possession of thousands of dollars
worth of curious scientific. liter.
sry and artistic specimens, as well |
as many botanical and natural history |
articles of interest. Several very valuable |
coin collections are also in view, and hon. |
estly believe that when we obtain permanent |
quarters, such a stream of contributions will |
fiow in that when we get into Mr.. Carnegle's |
building we will have a museum second to
none outside of the Smithsonian Institution.
This is the possibility. and it can be readily
seen how important proper beginning is at
the present time.
IN HARMONY WITH 1T,
eve have been for a year past in consul
tstion with Mr.. Carnegie and are moving in
harmony with his views, and the Academy
is sure to be enriched in various WAYS by his
liberality. Once we get a building and the
various societies housed in it, it will be plain
sailing.
Ways and means are knotty problem
just at present. The societies concerned in
the movement pay S1,100 In rent at the
present time. Then we have $50 members
who pay SO per annum as their dues. so
we can reckon on an income of nearly 81 0OO |
On the other hand, the Academy must have
a competent and educated janltor, who will
be scientific and artistic Pooh Bah in the
matter OF being able 10 take care of our in-
Struments, books and property in general
we hgure that help, light, heat and acces-
sorles will cost s., 500a year. Then a heavy
rental on top of that compeIs us to wonder
where the money will come from.
1t Is bound to cost considerable to fur
nish any building we obtain, and to ar
range the equipment of the various societies
Will add to the expense. 1t is not desirable
to impose any extra burdens upon the so
cieties in the Academy. They should be
lett free to improve their individual COL
!ections and their autonomy as DIR. Hol-
land STYLES it.
HARD WORK AHEAD.
There is hard work ahead for all of the
societies, and we want everybody in Pitts
burg who has any interest in such matters
to help the good work along. What we
have engaged ourselves to do is 10 event
lallv be enjoyed by the whole public. and
I'll the people have an interest in the move
nent. With plenty of room each of the |
societies can branch out in the matter of
membership, and the Academy itself
hould number at least 500 members within
he next year. The University buildinps
re admirably adapted to the uses of the |
Academy, but the price set upon them by I
he County Commissioners places them out
i our reach, unless the miraculous occurs.
NO, cannot say what will be done. We j
Till have an ultimatum on the Thay man. I
ion tomorrow, and hope that we can secure G
!, Tor its central location and ample size {
lake it admirably adapted to the purposes t
the Academy" a
SeIect school for Boys, C
Kenyon Military Academy at Gopb;oS |