Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-27

ground is to. be given and the commission
will decide what buildings shall be put
there"
A general discussion followed about the
proper location of the main library. Messrs.
Ford and Holiday were emphatic in the
belief that downtown site should be
chosen, even if half the money had to be
expended for the site. for then the people
would get chance to use the library
occasionally. MIR. Bigham thought the
main building might as well be at Sharps-
burg as at Schenley Park as far as his
people were concerned. Mr.. Lambie
thought that if site was chosen on the hill
in the Eighth, Eleventh or Thirteenth
wards, it would be more to the liking OF the
people at large than any other. He thought
the Bedford avenue site the best yet offered.
Mr.. Heating said he believed the main
building should be out where the center of
population is soon to be. Not because he
lived in the East End, as he might not live
there another year, and did not own foot
Of ground there, but that was the best place
in the city, and would accommodate the
greatest number of people.
The Dispatch Ballot Conclusive.
Mr.. Lambie returned to the subject, say
ing: IAN attempt has heen made by this
commission to create a fixed senti-
ment among the people in favor
of the park site. and they have
since gone and attempted to create the
impression that the park site has been Sc
lected and agreed upon. They have at
tempted to forestall public opinion in this
way without having had any consultation
with this committee or taking any action on
the question at ALL Now we are to agree TO
Mr.. Keating's resolution and thus indorse
what this commission has been doing by Of
fering them site before they ask for it.
They have been fritteripg away the time for
months, and there is nothing to show for it
except this resolution.
81 have been taking notes on this site
question, and have memoranda taken from
newspapers and personal observations which
satisfy me that the great mass of the people
do not want the Scbenley Park site for the
main library. While the Exposition was in
progress vote was taken on this question.
resulting in vote of 245 for downtown
site against 165 for the East End and all
other districts combined, including the
Schenley Park site. The commission, how
ever, wants to give us the park site regard
less OF the popular wish, aud they have not
taken the trouble to ask for even that from
Councils"
j. b. Scott's Supremacy Questioned.
"Well." said Mr.. Kestng, ''the E1ecu-
tive Committee of the commission has been
worrying me to get Councils to act on this
matter for months, and they have said that
as soon as Councils give them the necessary
right they will proceed with the work"
"Who are the members of the Executive
Committee?' asked Mr.. Ford.
"Why, Mr.. Scott Mr.. Pitcairn"-
"Yes. but it looks as it Mr.. Scott was try
inp TO RIM this whole business -
He deserves credit / think, replied Mr..
Keat1ng for the interest displayed and the
work he has done. AS the representative of
the commission, he went over to see Mrs.
Schenley and practically secured this park
entrance property. He"
"Who authorized him to represent the
commission" demanded Mr.. Holiday.
why, the Executive Committee. They
got him to go over and see Mrs. Schenley,
and he paid his own way, too"
A Conundrum From Mr.. Lambie.
"And how can the Executive Committee
send him without having meeting to de-
eide upon it?'' demanded Mr.. Lambie.
you'll have to consult the gentlemen
composing that committee" was the reply.
The amendment to the preamble offered
by Mr.. Bigham was taken up again. On
Mr.. Ford's motion the words referring to
the main library building" were stricken
cut entirely, leaving the resolution to apply
only to the music, art and museum build
ings.
Mr.. Heating moved to substitute mo-
ton to return the original ordinance to
Councils with negative recommendation,
but it was treated with scorn by the other
members, excepting Mr.. Shannon.
Tha amendment was then adopted as pre-
sented by Mr.. Bigham, who had changed
the wording to make it appear that If the
commission desired the park entrance for
the other building they could have it, but
the main library building was LETT out alto
gether. Mr.. Heating and Shannon voted
against it. As amended the resolution was
then affirmatively recommended to Councils.
Another Storm Raised.
Before adjourning Mr.. Heating took oc-
casion to make some remarks about the ac-
tion of the gentlemen on the committee who
were opposed to the park site, and said that
by their acteon it was probable that next
summer instead of building the library and
spending the Carnegie money they would be
putting some barrier in the way to stop
progress. He did not believe their opposi-
ton was so self-disinterested as they made
believe.
This remark riled Messrs. Bigelow and
Holiday. and quite warm personal cross
fire followed.
Mr.. Heating said that while the gentle
men were trying to make believe they did
not know the attitude of the commission in
waiting for councilnanic action on this reso-
luton, he was we'll satisfied they did. If
they were sincere, however, they could have
easily allowed the resolution to go through
aud then oppose it by defeating it in the
commission.
Mr.. Holiday retorted that he would not
stultify himself in that way. He was op-
posed to the location and thought that In
this committee was the best place to exert
his influence against it. If the committee
did not look out for the ihterest of the city
In their own sessions they would have but
little opportunity to do so in the commits
sion.