The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-13
A GOOD LOCATION
Open to the Mercantile
Library.
ROOMS OF THE VEREIN.
Situated Over the Sutter-Street
Market.
OFFERED AT A LOW RENTAL.
But the Board of Trustees Persists
in Refusing to Consider the
Removal.
OFFERED AT A LOW RENTAL

There is one place in San Francisco to
which the Mercantile Library might have
decided to move with great profit to itself.
Even now 1t may not be too late. This
fact has been develo ped since the recent
meeting OF the trustees, when all PROPOSE
tons for change of location were sum-
marily dismissed. Various mem bers of
the association are talking about the mat
ter, and it is hoped that some day second
wisdom will come to the trustees and the
move be made.
The location referred to is the corner of
old market. and in the rooms now occu-
pied by the San Francisco Verein. These
quarters can be obtained at rent almost
nominal. The lease of the verein will ex-
plre April l, and a. some time not long
thereafter the organization will remove to
its new building on Post and Leavenworsh
streets. The rooms will be left vacant,
and they are admirably suited for the
purposes of the library.
The building is centrally located. 1t is
where IL will cach the greater portion of
the downtown traffic from the north side
of Market street during ali hours of the
day. 1t is situated where business men
and women who are shopping can reach it
easily. 1t is even close 10 the cross car lines
from the Mission and all the south side of Mar
ket street. Ii Is where the great majority of its
iriendS aud patrons wish IL were now esta b.
lished.
just before the meeting Of the library trust.
eeS at which the question of moving was deter.
mined III the negative The owners OF the Suffer-
street property realizing that the lease OF the
Nerein was about expire, offered the rooms
TO the library association. A figure for rental
was placed upon them which was exlraorGi-
naEily low. and which was far less than III L at
which any similar rooms could be obtained.
The size OF the building Q37 :6x20O) affords
ample floor room. There are two large halls in
II ana series of small rooms extending
around the two sides facing on Grant avenue
and Suffer street. The ceiling of all the rooms
is eighteen feet high, which would give plenty
OF shelf space; and the roof of the TWO halls
Is glass-covered. 50 that there Is an abundance
of light.
l he minority of the trustees were pleased
with the cffer- One of them was for accepting
IL right OH and at once. But aversion to max
ing any more determination to abide by a bad
bargain through proht or through loss hesita-
ton, timidity aud lots OF kindred notions pre-
vailed over The minds OF the majority. and the
proposition was rejected along with the others
made at the same time.
The min GRITTY, OF course, was forced 10 &C
quiesce IN the decision, but the matter has not
been allowed 10 rest at that point. The posi-
billy OF securing so favorable location for the
library was such an exceptional one that II has
been impossible for those who are Interested TO
drop IL out OF consideration
The majority of the trustees wish it under
stood now that the question OF moving is set
tied Tor this year, and that there is no farther
occasion for agitation of 1t they think IL would
lnjuIe the growth and prospects OF The library. |
But the minority are inclined 10 The opinion !
that the question Is one OF more than moment |
airy importance. IF by agitation" they say |
"a move To such an unusual location as that on |
suffer street could be brought abouI all the |
temporary injuries would be more than COM |
pen>ated by future profit"
SAID one OF the most prOmnent of the trus- |
tees yesterday; while do uoI like 10 do or |
say anything that Will add anything 10 The
al a
heads OF The association, still L do think that
The rooms of the San Francisco Verein ap-
ptoach so nearly The ideal from all points OF
view that too much cannot be said or done To
bring the library 10 them. If we should move
into them The membership would be increased
threetold, and the income from their dues
would come lar nearer 10 covering our eX-
penseS than we c0ma TO il at present, even
with our present freedom from rent.
II We were 10 move downtown the lower
floor OF the Van Ness property could undoubt-
eddy be rented at profitable figure 1t would |
make splendid saesIoOm Tor some plano
house, for instance. Then The upper rooms |
imposed at present.
The majority party OF the trustees meet the
objection that the present location OF the |
library is not central with the claim that the |
center OF the population Is gradually shifting |
westward. From time point of view That Is |
perhaps true; but how long Will It be before tie
ceuter Will get from Grant avenue to Van Ness !
avenue? L, for my part. should nate to make |
an estimate. Ii might be twenty years. Mean |
while what shall we do who are downtown now |
aud cannot run out TO Van Ness every Time we |
want IA book?
mo. say bring the library to where we can |
reach II. Put IL where the women can 90 into |
IL when they wish to stop and rest during the |
day while they are shopping. Put ii wnere |
business men can apply 10 il at all hours Put |
IL where 10 Is convenient 10 Dozen lines of |
streetcars Put il where everybody can reach !
it,"
The gentleman who spoke thus was only one |
OF many who are dissatisfied with the decision of |
tile trustees. Others express themselves In |
similar If not stronger terms. Some of them
hoped that even yet there might be possibility |
OF change, and of final acceptance OF the |
Sutter-street property.