The herald., 1894-08-17
WILL THE DIRECTORS RESIGN !?
Mayor R0wan's Power Under
the Charter.
What the Library Board Ought
to Do.
The Need for . Change in the Msnags-
mont OF the Library and How II
Can Be Quickly Ac-
complishsd.

The need Of radical change in the
management of the public library is
glaringly apparent to the great body Of
citizens who pay taxes for its support.
1t is not emily true, 90 has been shown
in the columns OF the HERALD, that the
institution is extravsgan tly managed
while the great bulk of the employees
receive pauper wages. but it is equally
a fact that OF $25, 900 directly or in
directly required foi the maintenance OF
the institution, only $4,000 is devoted to
the purchase of new books. The poorest
kind Of judgment hss been displayed in
the conduct of the library finances, as
can be demonstrated by any good busi-
ness man who will take the trouble to
examine into the methods pursued.
The responsibility for th is management
rests on the present board OF directors
of the library. and more especially on
President Dickinson, who has always
displayed an ultra jealous int crest in
the management Of the fiduciary affairs
of this public institution.
The system observed in the distribu-
vion of books is open 10 the severest
criticism, and this is most strikingly
demonstrated by the fact that there are
large numbers OF books on the shelves of
the public library that are unfit for gen.
erRl circulation, and yet the claim is set
up that the library management was
unaware Of their character. This GER
tainly does not indicate that the mana
gerial duties have been efficiently per-
formed. In addition to this, in q wild
and ill-judged effort to swell up the 'cir-
culstion figures" of the library, children
from IA years upward have had free ec-
cess to all the books in the library that
are in the catalogue, thus giving free and
unrestricted opportunity to debauch the
minds Of the youth of the city. The ac-
tion Of several prominent clergymen in
denouncing the circulation OF vile and
infamous books will be followed gener-
ally by the clergymen OF Los Angeles,
who will publicly criticise the bad man
Agerial methods from the pulpit.
Mr.. Rowan has some responsibility in
the premises under the city charter.
Under section Al article ~ it is pro-
vided: "It shall be the duty OF the
mayor to exercise a constant supervision
over the acts and conduct OF all city
officers and employees; to receive and
examine into all complaints made
against them for violation or neglect
of duty"
A well-known citizen stated to HER.
AID reporter yesterday: 81 am satisfied
from what / have learned that Mayor
Rowan is anxious to correct any exist
ing evils in the management of the pub
lie library. He has the appointment oil
the library directors in his power, sub
jsct to confirmation by the council. The
simplest manner in which to bring about
a change would be for the entire board
of directors of the public library to ten.
der to the mayor their designations.
While there are some good men on the
library board. this would leave the
mayor free to act, and II they will dc
3d. I AIN satisfied the mayor will &C,
promptly. This is the quickest way tc
bring about change that is demanded
by the Taxpayers. The mayor could re-
appoint those OF the board who are sat-
isfsctory to the public, and in the place
of very Objectionable ones could put in
good men"