Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-08
Mr. Carnegie Pleased With Councils
in Offering 10 Acres of Park
Land for The Library,
AMARGIN LEFT FOR A MUSIC HALL.
The Commission Meets Tomorrow to Begin
the Necessary Preliminary
Work in Earnest.
JAMES B. SCOTT OUTLINES THE PLANS.
Valuable Collection Of Paintings and curiOs for tie
Main Building.

sites and commencing work on the Carnegie
libraries for Pittsburg will be done in the
next few days. The commission will meet
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, at which
the iron master will be present. MI. Carnegie
attended the funeral of Captain Lapsley
Yesterday, but before he went he had a
short conference with J. B. Scott. Mr..
Carnegie expressed great satisfaction over
the manner in which the scheme is working
itself out and the interest manifested by the
people He was delighted with the action
of Councils authorizing the commission to
use part or all OF the 19 acres in the East
End purchased from Mrs. Schenley for the
location of the main library and hall.
From those most intimate with the million
aire 1t was gathered that if more money is
needed to erect buildings in keeping with
the magnitude of the gilt, it would be forth
coming. Mr.. Carnegie is not man who
does things by halves, and he is determined
that lack of funds will not interfere with
elaborate plans.
Practical Work to Begin To-Morrow.
james B. Scott was in excellent humor
yesterday afternoon when seen by DIS
PATCH reporter. Mr. Scott said; up to
date the commission has practically done
nothing decisive, but with the resolution
passed by Councils we will begin work in
earnest at the meeting en- Thursday.
knew Mr.. Carnegie was coming here, and
the meeting was postponed SO that he could
be present When 1 told HIM OF this ar
rangement he was pleased, and said he
would be glad 10 attend. 1 now
speak for myself personally, and
not for the commission, because
don't know what will be done, and
my views might be entirely reversed. 1
think we all want large hall and art
gallery in connection with the central build
ing, but the question of site that would not
take up too much of the gift was what
bothered US. l was amused at one member
of the commission, who suggested a
locality below the Court House, but
as l had been one OF jury to
assess the property in the division of
the estate had put it at $500, 600 FOR 100 feet,
$4,000 for 15O feet, and tie entire site
would not be sold for less than 81, ,OOO 900.
1t was apparent at once that this property
was out of the question"
Great Cost of Downtown Property
Mr.. Scott here exhibited list of figures
for desirable properties which be had looked
up on which to build the main library. The
lowest amount was 100000 and running up to
S45O,OOO. eff we had to pay out even $500 600
for Site" continued MIR. Scott. "a
hall with the library could not be built,
as there would not be enough money. Person
ally think the offer of Councils to use the l9
built for the money that would have to be paid
fer the land. But then l don't know what the
negie viii build all the Libraries in keeping
with his CenerOns nature and the growth and
importance of the city,
While air. Scott would not speak for the
commission, he rather thought that bis fellow
members would accept the offer of Councils.
The resolution passed by Councils emanated
from the commission; but he said it must not
be taken as expressing the opinion of the
commission.
Mr.. Scott said further: ''Mr Carnegie is
very much taken with the Pratt sys-
TEN, in Baltimore. My idea would be
TO have all the libraries complete
in themselves. The main library should be for
reference, containing full line of books and
authorities on questions pertaining TO the arts,
scientific subjects, etc. Why, every day men
il the city have to go to Washington to cons uls
works Of reference there. or to the Franklin
Institute library in Philadelphia. We ought
10 nave such library here to avoid these trips.
''The main library should be one to which
everybody goes, and from which the books
wonld not be removed. The people of the East
Enu could be supplied from a minor library in
the building.
- don't like the term branch used in con-
nectiun with the other libraries. That is not
the idea. They are to be complete in them
selves. The people have had the impression
that the local ones will be tributary to the
main library. which is a mistake. ! have made
it point to 90 over the Southside, Temper
anceville, and Lawrenceville. was
surprised at the number of people
living in these places The question of sites has
not been considered, but it will be done at
once as soon as the commission gets to work
The people in LawrenceYille have made certain
offers and we will be ready shortly to talk with
them. All the buildings will be put up in good
style, and Will be credit to the different Sec
tions"
Cost of the Various Sites.
Mr. Scott added that the building would be
erected, and the amount of the donation would
not be exceeded. When asked If much of the
gift would be consumed in securing sites for
the various libraries, he replied that it would
not take as much money as some people think
Property on the Soutbside, in theWest End and
in Lawrenceville brings fair prices, but good
sites will be selected and creditable buildings
can be erected without exceeding the sum do
mated. 1t is when this feature of the business
is considered that the friends of Mr. Carnegie
1eel that ratner tnln see any OF the DraDch
libraries lack for anything because there is not
enough money, that his gift of 81 900 600 will be
increased, but not until the necessity is demon
strated.
Mr.. Scott said also that he would like to see
a hall in connection with all the libraries. 1t
would give the people what is much needed in
ali these localities, and If men are invited to
deliver lectures any subject, a suitable
place is at hand in which the people may
gather Men like Profs. Brashear and Lang
lev would often 60 out and illustrate scientific
matters if halls could be secured.
Portraits and Paintings for Pittsburg.
1t is said that Mr.. Carnegie already has a
very valuable collection of portraits and paint
ings, worth at least $40 000 for the main library
His friends, also, all over the country have
promised and donated a lot of interesting lit
erary curiosities for the building so that the
nucleus of a magnificent biblophile has
already been formed. 1t was learned
incidentally that many of the things
sold at the Brayton-Ives sale in New
York were purchased by agents of Mr.. Car
negie for the Pittsburg library. Duplicates
OF a number of valuable articles, to be found
only in the Smithsonian Institute and in noted
libraries have been secured.
The one point that worries the commission is
the title to the 10 acres OF land. There is no
doubt, under the Constitution, that the city
can't acquire the ground without a vote of the
people. The property was really purchased by
MT. Carnegie in personal interview with Mrs.
Schenley for $4,000, but the city was admitted
into the deal as a matter OF courtesy. The iron
master regrets now that he didn't buy it him.
self, to be presented to PittsburG.