New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-26


Rives which contains the arguments in favor OF
the scheme The finances Of the corporation
are referred to follows:
present time Is about $4,000 This amount will
eventually be somewhat increased by the sac OF
Of the present library buildings. on the other hand
the income will be reduced If the corporation Is
compelled, from its own funds. TO erect suitable
building. -.
b. maintained will be necessarily very large In
order to compete and maintain the present coee
0 nsces @ ou's addtcn large sums must be
pended opportunity offers, TO MI up the numer-
are now kept open during the hours Of daylight
ZION including repairs. heating ligsh1Gg sieSnns
cataioguing, etc VIII amount TO S,o;UN rpI
.ec,ions II the libraries are TO be kept open durlng
the evening there viii be further increase in the
The trustees are therefore. satisfied that although
the cOnsSda,ed viii pr0sa9y h ,rSe
reference library with ample reading rooms and &C.
SHAH iHr proVde its Site
from land now owned or 10 be acquired ana erect
such library alone, It's income will be insutcle r,
to DO more than 10 maintain the same in full en'-
BEHIND OTHER CITIES.
Statistics are given to show how far behind
Other large cities In this country and Europe
New-York is, proportionate to population. both
in libraries and expenditures In maintaining
them. The memorial then goes on
plain that the city Of .v sn01d haze sae
aua SE0io 10 snS and
is equally plain that while the means at the com
Undertake UNDER the Who.e work nevertheless its existing
organization and the resources at It's command 0Mer
m ahe cd aaD such an paSc
nd see es tie rs '4f Rs
long delay viii estabshHg any such sy nd
as this corporation will have entered on its
work within the limits possible to It with ts pres
extent. again create the very evils from which the
several organizations. by their consolidation. nave
Of sns5s 5s the s. Of sa aas
TO make frank sa a on hHss the as
public Ssa sy a9l DE b no 20 the city u
WHAT THE TRUSTEES SUGGEST.
II the city OF New-York will furnish proper cite.
and provide the means TO erect thereon a suitable
building for the purposes OF the New-York Public
Library, excluding for the present the requirements
OF branch libraries or delivery stations other than
Sls Ssn '0n se e so a ff Slay
through the sale Of its present siits obtain such an
for the circulation iU Of books from It's main building
II further funds can be supplied from private Dene
maintain an adequate number Of branches for cir
sn k hav Is ee pnS % O. the
and most comprehensive plan. {. .,,r,os.,,, ,,o,
the city should thus do something toward securing
owe owe To sS @uneeDce and wise oreihoush
three successive generations OF the Astor famiiy 81
den, the trustees are asking no favors for them
selves the corporation they represent They are
ali the people Of the cy: Every dollar diverted into
ohsr%e T be aVaable for the supply and dsrS
ton Of books Nor viii any aid that The city may
ssf DEGSs sa
s sa hs ssSGe by the ey NH
add to he cys revenue; for 4 WIN largely Increase
ably received no site within the control OF the city
The reservoir upon Ffth-sve, between Fortieth and
The site Is an ideal one for such building It Is
to-day the most central and easily accessible sp0;
new m means OF communicaton Within single block
two 2unns Of no
81; surface road intersects all the chief thorough
Sees sSa ss ssn 800
e. q the three H aSsa . se
these incomparabl advantages at the present time
ri nsGiss: % STsss s SSss
norm can any similar conveyance OF pubic oues
oi traVei ever be anticipated
AN ORNAMENT TO THE CITY.
On this site 1t will be possible to erect library
building dignifed ample in size. visible from all
sides. with uninterrupted light free from all danger
OF fire, In no respect encroaching upon the existing
Bryant PARK. and which will be an ornament 10 the
city, The park area would. indeed, be Increased by
substituting library building for the reservoir
The reservoir measures AS by 400 feet library
building $50 by 800 feet would offer all the accom-
modations which the most sangune would probably
think II wise at present TO provide; and even ths
would leave margin Of than 100 feet on the
avenue and more than fifty feet each side street,
70 De LAID out with grass and shrubbery. The city
Wouiu 'nen ,6 nave no quarter more inviting me
t SSsn Park ine wSSa aIIdf add
mously to the attractiveness security and useful
ness OF the library
In order to afford the city and the public the op-
Portunity of determining whether they will now
nave such great wel-eQuIpped and really popular
library for the benefit Of ali the people the Board
OF trustees OF the New-York Public library hereby
RESPECTFULLY apply to the city authorities for their
approval Of such legislation as will enable the city
,e,sr grant to this corporation. by some permanen;
soca funds a. may be necessary enable this
poIaton TO construct and equip its building thereon;
au tnat the site OF the present reservoir IN Fifth
ase. between Fortieth and Forty second sts be
>ub.ic interest 'e WIN ~
when We consider the extent to which an nstItu-
nsct.S a. tne character proposed may fairly lie ex-
%SH 10 strengthen the police. diminish crime raise
uuc standards OF morality, attract to our CITY men
~ very department of industry and every walk
% nle. ada TO the operative power of our 'nsope
~ III