Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-22
THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
An Interesting Discussion at Its Regular
Meeting Last Night
Gen. Greely's Report Read and Con-
sidcred, but Laid Over for Action
Until the Next Meeting.

The newly organized Washington Library
Association held a meeting last night at
the Columbian University, which, in the
absence of President Spofford, was pre-
sided over by DR.. Adler. The object Of the
meeting was to receive a report from a
committee consisting of Gen. A. W. Greedy,
chairman; Mr.. A. r. Spofford and Mr. A.
H. Allen, which had been appointed at a
previous meeting to determine ways and
means for the establishment of free pub
lie library in this city.
Gen. GreeIy's Report.
Gen. Greedy presented his report, in
which he stated that at the one meeting
held he was authorized to ask, in the name
of the association, additional subscriptions
to those already obtained by him in his
individual capacity. About $50 volumes
have been offered as a nucleus for the Ii
brary itself. He considered that an~an-
nual income of 5000 for five years would
be necessary for the care and existence of
a small library and reading ROOM but hoped
that the sum Of $4,000 annually may be
secured.
He added that the sum Of $2,3S5, payable
In five annual installments has been Sc
cured, and 500 to 5000 more practically
promised thus insuring an annual income
Of nearly 5000. There has been no plan
formulated, no room selected, no step taken
to advance any partial or imperfect scheme,
but the whole question of organization.
location and administration is left to the
action of the committee to be hereafter
selected by the subscribers
The Board of Trades Bill.
After Gen. Greedy had read the report.
DR.. Adler suggested that as Mr.. Dubois
and Mr.. Flint two members of the library
committee of the board of trade were
present, he would like to hear from them
as to the progress which the board Of trade
is making in the direction of securing a
free library. Mr.. Dubois said his commit
tee had prepared bill which had been
favorably reported by the House committee
on the District of Columbia, and would
be called up in the early part of the COM
ing session. This bill has frequently been
described in The Star and its provisions
are familiar. He read the main points Of
the bill and said 1T had been prepared with
great care after consultation with the IL
brarian of Congress.
At this point somewhat lengthy dis
cuSsiOn ensued upon the merits of the
board of trades bill. 1t developed that
there was opposition to some features of
the bill on the part Of the librarians of the
various departments, several of whom
were present. They feared that the bill
proposed to take away some of their books,
and they announced their opposition to
such a plan. DIR. Ames of the Interior De-
partment library, Mr.. Fitzgerald of the
" "
Treasury Department gave testimony to
the effect that but Vefy few books could
be supplied by the departmental libraries
tor the proposed free library.
Mr.. Lowdermilk said the bill proposes to
do what every othets library in the country
Is trying to avoid. To deplete the depart
mental libraries, which might be called
branch libraries. and to establish a central
library is not a good idea, as every one
would have to go to the central library to
get books which they can now obtain
through the departments.
At this point DR.. Adler suggested that
the discussion was getting away from the
business in hand. The question before the
meeting was not the merits of the board of
trades bill, but GepL GTeely's report. Mr..
Dubois Of the board of trade committee
said his committee would be glad to con-
fer with the library association upon the
methods of securing public library, as 1t
was evidently the aim and object of both
organizations to do this. The bill could be
easily amended to meet any objections
which might seem serious.
Mr.. Rufus Thayer advocated the plan of
procedure suggested in Gen. Greely's re-
port, and said that IL the city would first
show some inclination to take a step in
the direction of establishing a library Con-
gress might be encouraged to aid the move
ment.
The Report Laid Over.
A resolution was adopted declaring that
the association had listened with gratifca-
ton to Gen. Greely's report, and that on
account of its Importance it should lie
over until the next meeting for further
consideration.
Secretary Fassig then announced the
election of new members of the association
as follows: DR.. J. NJ. Toner, Mrs. A. F..
Stevens. Irene Tyler, Rev. Mr.. Coppins of
Georgetown and DIR. Cleveland Able.
Committees Appointed.
Committees appointed by the executive
committee were reported as follows: Free
public library Messrs. Greedy, Spofford
and Allen. Formation of a union list of
periodicals in Washington libraries, Messrs
Adler, Cutter and Fassig. Care of maps
Messrs. Darwin and Persons. Lending
books, Messrs. Prince, Coppin and Pres
well. Public documents, Messrs. Ames,
Lowdermilk and Church. Exchange of de-
partment books, Messrs. Farquhar, Fftz-
ger aid and Fuller
At the conclusion of the business meet
Ing DIR. Adler described in an entertaining
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