The morning call., 1893-11-30
Change of Place and Reduction
of Dues Discussed.
A PETITION IN CIRCULATION.
The Spirit of Progress Moves the
Trustees to Accommodate
Downtown Patrons.


ing the location Of the library is in crcu-
lation; resolution for the reduction Of
dues is pending, and various other schemes
are being considered for the benefit of the
institution
The present handsome building on the
corner of Van Ness and Golden Gate ave-
nues is owned by the Library Association.
But the location is unsatisfactory to many
members, and the project under cOnsidera-
ton involves the selling or leasing of the
present quarters and move 10 the new
building now being erected by Mrs. A. NJ.
Parrot on the site OF the old Trinity
Church at the northeast corner of Powell
and Post streets.
Among the considerations urged in favor
OF the project are the central nature of the
new location, its readiness of access for
the ladies of Oakland, Alameda, San Ra-
fael and the peninsula, besides for busi-
ness men and ladies engaged in shopping
EXPEDITIONS.
The new lot has an extensive from tage OF
1926 Ieet facing to the south and opening
upon Union square, with a view of the
Mission hills, together with a space of
137 Is feet on Powell street. Cars pass the
doors to the park, ferries and all the prin-
cipal railroads. The present building, il
visit requiring special trip and no car
line passing nearer than a block distant.
No trustee, it is said. can get nearer than
i've blocks by car from his residence.
Against this claim of inaccesslbility, it
is urged that the location of the library was
only chosen after deliberate consideration
and Is In the heart of the residence dis
trlct. Many claim that since the associa-
ton has acquired its own building, and
been at the expense Of moving, 1T would
be foolish to move again simply TO pay
rent. The party of content points TO the
fact that subscribers are Increasing, if
slowly, and maintains that other meas
would be sufficient to meet the pro blem of
how 10 increase the revenue in order to
Keep up the necessary supply of new
books and periodicals.
There seems 10 be a wide variety OF
opinion on the subject and petition TO
the trustees in favor of the change is now
In course OF circulation in order to ascer-
tain the general wish of the 1000 sub
scribers in the premises.
1he spirit OF progress is also manifest
ing itself by the discussion of a reduction
of dues from $40 year to Sc, the rate al
other libraries. A motion in favor of this
change has already been adopted. but will
come up for reconsideration at a future
meeting. There are also other novel ideas
being incubated by the present board of
trustees. the members of which have only
two more months to hold office and to
carry any changes into execution.
Edmund Tauszky, president of the board.
said yesterday that no action had been
taken in regard to the proposed change of
location. de was conscious of the pres
ence among the members of a certain
amount of dissatisfaction. but believed that
that no step so Important should be taken
without the most careful thought He
would wish to see an available tenant for
the present quarters for one thing, and to
have accurate data as to the demand for a
change among the members. He was con-
scious that the membership was not in
creasng as rapidly as was desirable but
did not think reduction of dues would
solve the difficulty. The recent offer to
give special rates to teachers and their
classes had been accepted by over 100
teachers and more were coming in at the
end of the year.
MIR. TausZky limited that as the Whist
CluD had been given accommodation at
special rates, so it might be proposed TO
extend the same chances TO other clubs of
literary or esthetic character. The library
was hourlshlnR, II slowly, at least steadily.
Trustee Z. b. Young admitted having
introduced resolution In favor of O
change In the library's location.
Il told the trustees" said he, "that we
were dying by inches out there: that all
our income was hardly enough for our ex-
penses, leaving nothing tor new books,
and that consequently people would not
come in. said If the experiment failed it
would simply mean an Instantaneous in
stead If lingering death.
u maintain that we might sell the pres
ent building outright and with the interest
OF the purchase money rent place down.
town. where people could drop in con-
veniently, or we might sell and rent our
nrnCnnt m or
favorable terms on that condtion-any-
thing so that we may have some surplus to
devote to the books.
1T is only sentiment that keeps us to
the present location. Some of the board
have great idea of our being our own
mind mortgaging the building up to the
handle. l am in favor of revenue rather
than idle sentiment"
Trustee William Doxey rather favors the
proposed change, but would prefer to ascer-
tain definitely the collective desire of the
subscribers. He is not in favor of the pro-
posed reduction In dues, inclining to the
belief that the library already attracts a
very desirable class of patrons at its pres
emit reasonable rates and that the reduc-
ton might be unpopular with many
present subscribers. He did not believe
any radical changes would be carried
though by the present regime.
DR.. e. L. Deane, another trustee, was
one OF the most enthusiastic for the ch ange,
but said yesterday that the matter had
cone up and had been defeated. 1t came
In the form of proposal from the agent
of the lessee OF the Parrott building
Dr. Deane is one of the most active
workers among the trustees and is specially
interested in promoting any plans for the
benefit of the library. 1t was he that
secured the passage of a resolution for re-
ducing the dues and caused the library 20
become subscriber to the latest medical
works and magazines, whereby many
medical subscribers to the library have
been obtained. He says the Mercantile
Library is the best equipped of any library
west of New York and has rare old books
and art treasures that few of the public
dream of. DIR. Deane's plan Of admitting
teachers to the library has been specially
encouraging and the doctor has several
more projects in view.
In the meantime the final destinies of the