Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-03
A CORRESPONDENT, whose communication

correspondent, whose communication Is
printed r. another column, suggests that space
be provided in the new post Office building for
- Warrington public library. The idea is q
, good one. II Is discreditable that this need
has not long ago been supplied II suitable
and convenient quarters are furnished, such as
those suggested by this correspondent, the
books can readily be obtained.
The departmental libraries at the capital con-
tain nearly 800, 900 volumes, accessible only to
few employees Of the government The vast
wealth Of reading matter in the Congressional
library il practically out Of the reach of the
workingmen, owing to the hours of opening
and closing. aud the conditions placed upon the
enjoyment Of its privileges. Viewing this ocean
Of books, spread tantalizingly before him, the
workingman, thirsty for the knowledge which
comes from reading, might well exclaim with
the ancient mariner:
''w.ter. water everywhere nor any drop to drnkr'
Nearly every little New England and Middle
States town has q library Of the kind needed
here, not to mention the well-supplied large
cities Of the republic. In some of these smaller
towns the records show that as many as one
out Of every five inhabitants counting men,
women and children, is registered as a Dor
rover Of these books. The statistics also show
thak at first fiction was most largely drawn upon
BY such readers, but that as the taste for read
ing was acquired and developed. stronger food
for the mind was demanded, and the ratio of
serious reading steadily increased. The read
ing room has proved a strong rival Of the pool
room and drinking saloon in claims upon the
evenings Of many, especially the young, and
has served as a satisfactory substitute for
nightly idleness in dreary lodgings or on the
streets.
There have been several local movements
toward securing such library. In 1897 the
labor organizations Of the city gave some at
tention to the matter and number Of citizens
agreed TO subscribe amounts for the purpose
aggregating some $1,000. A library having
local character. installed in the new post Office
building. would certainly grow rapidly through
private donations of books and money and when
it had demonstrated its usefulness and that it
was appreciated by the public, some one of
washington's wealthy men might be moved by
local pride or other good motive to endow it
and give il a name.
Last year the Commissioner of Labor eug-
fested that arrangements might be made tc
use the library connected with his department
as the nucleus Of a free library and reading
room, for the benefit of the general public, and
bill was introduced to accomplish th:s pur-
pose. In another part Of todays paper are
collected interesting facts concerning ali of the
departmental libraries. 1t appears that out
side Of the technical books and works of refer
ence which have a direct bearing upon the
work of the various departments these Libraries
contain many thousands Of volumes which are
Of the kind found in the ordinary circulating
library. The circulating books are also massed
in certain departments and are not accessible
TO the employees in other departments. If the
heads of all the departments affected
were Of the same mind as the Com
missioner Of Labor, and Congress and
the President should approve, this class
OF books might be separated from the technical
and reference books, and placed in the post
once building as the nucleus Of public and
departmental library. The books would thus
become accessible not only to the general pub
Lie, but to the clerks in all of the departments,
instead Of TO those only who are employed in
the departments with circulating libraries. To
facilitate the drawing Of books by the clerks
the use Of accredited messengers by them might
be permitted for this purpose. The govern
ment would profit by checking of the dupli-
Coson VI cHcuiatlIS DOCKS IN tne various de-
psrtments and the money might be applied
upon this general departmental library. Many
serviceable books might also be obtained from
among the duplicates in the Congressional
library, without the slightest injury to that
collection Indeed it would be benefit by in
creasing shelf room to remove such superiuous
volumes a. could be utilized to advantage in
the new library. II the District government
has quarters in the post-ofice building its mu-
nicipal library might be merged in this collec-
ton, and some contribution toward the sup
port Of the new library might well be made in
the District appropriations.
The project Of public and departmental cir
culating library and reading room, open in the
evenings, is worthy Of the strongest and most
enthusiastic labors in its behalf 1t will doubt
less receive the hearty support of all friends of
the capital and its people. who appreciate that
city Of q quarter-million Of inhabitants con-
tains men to be considered, and not merely
buildings, trees. statues and monuments