Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-07
STILL A DEADLOCK.
The Allegheny Board of School Con-
troll Emphasizes Its Position
ON THE OLD AND NEW LIBRARIES.
Mr.. D. B. Oliver Says the Library Cannot
be Legally Surrendered.
CoNFEREEs CAN ACCOMPLISH NOTHING

brary Committee made movement last
night very similar to the celebrated army
they marched into the Board of Control meet
ing and then marched out again. The con-
ference accomplished literally nothing, but
the discussion of the matter by the Board of
Control was very interesting.
Under the head of new business the re-
port of the former conference committee was
brought up and communication from
Clerk Dilworth. of Councils, was read, in
forming the Board of Control that confer
ence committee had been appointed at the
last meeting of the Library Committee to
reopen the matter of transferring the pres
ent library to the new building. 1t was
then stated that the gentlemen of the sub
committee were without and awaiting the
pleasure of the board. Messrs. Ammon,
Cochran and Thomas composed the commit
tee.
It was moved to lay the whole matter on
the table for the purpose of inviting the dis
cussion. President James s. Young called
for remarks and Mr.. David B. Oliver OBJ
tanned the floor.
HE'S A STALwART.
Mr.. Oliver spoke as follows: 81 am a
stalwart on this matter of the library, but
hope that Mr.. McMullen's motion to lay
the matter upon the table will not obtain.
think that Allegheny Councils have fallen
very far short of their duty in establishing
public library, to be created and MAIN
tanned by public money. without making an
effort to embody the library of the Board of
School Control with the new library, and
the beautiful edifce erected by the Carnegie
Commission. No citizen Of Allegheny be-
lieves that two libraries are expedient. It
is an argument against our attitude that the
popular desire is for the old library to pass
into the new building. But our attitude
has been consistent and logical, as well as
strictly within the letter of the laws apply
ing to public libraries, and we have main
tanned it with dignity. We should be fit
subjects for public criticism if we refused to
entertain any such overtures as the Library
Committee may contemplate"
After considerable discussion Mr.. Nc
Mullen withdrew the motion to lay on the
table, and a motion was offered to appoint a
committee of three, subsequently amended
to five, to meet the other committee. Mr..
Oliver again rose and said there had been
an immense amount of lying and misrepre-
sentation.
A voice: "Who did it?''
AN ANIMUs CHARGED.
Mr.. Oliver said that as the misrepresenta
tion was Invariably against the Board of
Control, the animus was evident. He then
read an item which appeared in an after
noon paper which he denounced as untrue
and misleading. He did not believe that
Councils could "whIp in" the Board of Con-
troll, as not cents of the library maintenance
came from Councils. He denied specifically
other allegations, and closed by saving:
"The present library is part of our school
system, and must SO remain, as far as am
concerned"
President Young disclaimed an alleged
quotation in the item read by Mr.. Oliver,
and said that he had talked to no one for
publication.
The motion to appoint conference COM
mittee was then passed, and the President
appointed Messrs. Oliver, Walton and Nc
Mullen and Drs. Woodburn and Mcmillan.
The board then adjourned, and the con-
ference committees met. The gentlemen
from the Library Committee asked for the
books of the Board of Control, saying that
no other instructions had been given them.
The Board of Control conierees could only
say that they would refer the request to the
board.
MIR. DIVERS PLAN.
Mr.. Oliver said subsequently that the plan
he proposed was for mixed commission to
be placed in charge of the library, five
members of the Board of Control, one of
whom should be the President, and five
members on behalf of the city, as follows:
The Mayor, the Presidents of Select and
Common Councils, the Chairmen of the
Finance and City Property committees. He
had faith in the results that would flow
from such a combination. and said he was
not in favor Of transferring the library under
any different circumstances, and, in fact, did
not believe legal transfer could be made
upon any other basis.
Among the routine business Of the meeting
was the reelection of Prof. John Morrow as
City Superintendent of Schools for term of
three years at the annual salary of 81, 800, an
increase of $500 per annum. Prof. Morrow
appeared and thanked the committee.
NEW TEACHERS ELECTED.
The new teachers elected were: Miss
Gertrude Hemphill, Third ward, vice Miss
Grace G.. Swan, resigned; James M Morris,
Twelfth ward, No. 1, vice T. B. McCandless,
Grace r. Swan, vice James NJ. |
Morris, transferred. A report was adopted |
new standing committee upon |
to consist of one school director |
from each ward. A telephone will be |
placed in the Presidents Office. A resolu-
tion to teach German ''or Latin in the |
High School was tabled. Mr.. Morrow's |
that ten children from
each ward be prepared to assist at dedi-
eating the II memorial blocks in UniondaIe
Cemetery on Decoration Day was adopted.
1t was also decided to authorize subscrip- |
tions to the Newsboys' Home among the |
school children.