The morning times., 1896-11-26
WHEN THE LIBRARY MOVES
Mr.. Spofford and the Committee
Discuss the Transfer.
MANY SCHEMES PROPOSED
Librarian Submits Estimates for
Clerks and Assistants-He Thinks
the Building Can Be Furnished
for Protection Against
Rook Thieves Provided.

for Protection Against
Book Thieves Provided.
The Joint Committee Of Congress on
Library, at its meeting yesterday alter
noon. touched Incidentally upon the ques-
ton of the Use of the new Library building
for the inauguration ball; also glanced at
the extra session.
The time was devoted TO considera-
ton of tie force necessary TO man the new
building, and plans for removal OF the
books from their old quarters to the new.
The matter of copyright WAS also talked
over at some length and the present sys-
TEN placed before the committee. The
forms in use were exhibited and explained.
Senator Wetmore was in the chair;
Representative Quigg asked most OF the
questions, with occasional aid from Messrs.
Harmer and Cummings and the chairman.
Mr. Spofford alone furnished Information.
The hearing OF DR.. Adler of the Smith
sonian was completed at the morning
session.
Mr. Spofford said he estimated for care
| and service of the library TO Congress anu
| tine public that there should he ninety
| employees, whose salaries would FOOT up
| ST, ,oOu. \ comparison with the British
| Museum was made, showing that institu-
| ton has for its library force OF 2oO
| persons. II has 100000 volumes. Sen
| ator Wetmore remarked that the estimate
| offered indicated less expensive service
| than is required at the great English
collection.
THE ANNEXED EXHIBITS.
Provision is made in the estimate for
| attendants IN the reading room, in the
| Toner collection, for Senators and Rep
resentatives and iii a room for Washing
tonians. The latter is to br an adjunct
| of the Toner collection and will include
everything upon the city of Washington,
as well rs upon the first President.
The plan presented is for an art room
where the assistants are to be employed
one of these, Mr.. Spofford said should
| he an art critic of high rank, Capable of
passing upon the value OF these works
| aud able Ia determine how they could
be most uSefuily displayed The coilec-
| ton nj ght be ma lie very useful to students
y question as tothe only laborerfor whom
an estimate was included brought out the
! fact that the committee has Yet to
| determine whether the law library is to
| be removed to the new building. If il Is.
| this laborer viii not be needed, as the
| dUsting. scrGhbnp, etc, which he will
| otherwise do is provided for in an entirely
| separate estimate for the care OF the new
| edifice.
There are two watchmcn included"
said Mr. Quigg. what are they for"
| In all great libraries it is the experience
that there are persons who clip and cut the
| books and carry away even entire volumes
| as well aS other valuab Die objects. l once
| detected lex Member of Congress abstract
| ing valuable plates from Il library book.
| THE watchlnen are to prevent this sort of
| loss
1T is not unknown" remarked Senator
| WeImorc, that meu even of nigh literary
! attainment have been guilty of such acts"
=
! SpoffOrd. such men are some times
| thieycS-in libraries ut any rate
| ITSUSE BY THE PUBLIC.
! rs the Congressional more of 4 circu-
iating library than in your judgment it
| ought 10 be-" asked Mr. Wctmorc.
NO; the circulation is quite restricted
The books called for are some times not
| in" said Mr. Wetmorc.
VERY true; it is not strictly a reference
| library like the British Museum Still
| the percentage of books in circulation at
] any time is very small. -
| Your estimate said Mr.. Harmer, .'is
based upon what you actually need when
| you move into the new building, not what
| may he wanted hereafter
Yes, and i consider it a nIinmum.
am not accustomed To report in advance
wants that are anticipated
| Upon what do yOu base your estimate
of $4,000 FOR furniture?'' asked Mr..
QuigG.
II went about the rooms personally and
made estimates in drtaii.'
Speaking of the kind of furniture needed,
Mr.. SpofInrd said:
The chairs should be quite light and
movable
why movable?'' asked Mr.. Quigg.
For cleaning and other purposes
Mr.. Quigg could not see the necessity
of making the chairs movable, but il WAS
argued that the matter could be further
considered.
COST OF FURNISHING.
Gen. Casey's plans and estimates for
furnishing the new building We're dis,
cussed ut Some length. His estimate was
$50, 200, and there was also an indie
pendent estimate by Supt. Green, with
figures, in the same neiehborhood.
Mr.. Spofford said he had estimated that
the removal of the books to the new
building would cost $4,000. He and Mr.
Green had discussed many plans, but none
had been found satisfactory to Mr.. Green
as an engineer. except by teams. This was
the method of removing the Boston Public
Library. But that was slow, occupying
seven weeks. The library was closed .oI
| five weeks.
1t was agreed that any plan of re-
moval must provide for the disposal OF
the books iii the places where they are
| y
ing. Therefore, il would be necessary tC
determine the furnishing and the arrange
ment. and use of the rooms in the new
building before anything could be settled
about the removal. Mr.. Spofford said h,
would have a detailed review of furniture
necessary and plan of use ready for
the committee on Tuesday next.
Mr. Spofford. as a suggest on of a way
To move the looks, told how the Royal
Library Of Berlin, 6C0,CGO volumes, had
been carried in Il single day 10 their new
quarters OH the street "Untcr den Linden
The late Emperor Frederick called out a
company Of 600 oidiers. The books were
packed in flat-bottom wicker baskets Ill d
passed along the line of soldiers after the
manner or water by a bucket brigade at a
village fire The work was accomplished
with military precision and dispatch A
similar Use might he made of our Army
y local dealer had already offered 20 bid
in furnishing the baskets.
| in the midst of the amusement caused by
this proposal, Mr.. Quisg said:
unfortunately, our Army is so small
that any such Use of it would he sure 10
bring ON a war with Spain as 81 on as she
heard of it,
Another prcI osal was to use the under.