Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06
tHE INV klpnAn1
Superintendent Green's Report on the
Progress Of the Work.
CONSIDERABLE YHt,g9 Be DONE
Thousands of visitosato the Hand
some STRUCTURE.
MOVING THE COLLECTIONS
-
MOVING THE REFLECTIONS

Mr.. Bernard r. Green. superintendent of
submitted his annual report to the Presi-t
dent of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House.
Superintendent Green says, in opening:
Il have the honor to submit the following
report of operations and proceedings under
my charge in connection with the new
building for the Library of Congress, a
portion OF which is specifically called for
by Jaw The last report on this subject,
dated April o. 1897. covered the compile
ton and total cost of the building March
4. 1897. and constituted Senate document
No. 80. Fifty-fifth Congress, first session"
Mr. Green then quotes recent legislation
defining his duties, and says:
Thus, in addition to the duty of con-
Quoting the operations Of removing the
library collections from the Capitol to the
new building, arranging, selecting and pro-
curing the numerous and special varieties
Of furniture and outfit for the building and
experimenting the completion of the $751;
11I.0 worth Of unfinished works of sculp-
t9re and special machinery outstanding on
March A. 1897. 1 became charged with the
disbursement of the following appropria-
tioEs, amounting to 1910, 295. 75."
Work to He Done. .
Referring to the unfinished items Of con-
struction, Mr.. Green says:
"One of the bronze figures Statue of
Michael Angelo, five small bronze figures
belonging to the clock piece one pair of
bronze doors and one bronze group for the
fountain still remain incomplete although
all but the clock figures are so far advanced
that TO doubt is entertained Of their COM
pletion at a very early day. 1t had been
positively promised by the artists last win
ter and confidently expected by me that the
statues and clock piece would be quite fin
no. RI 30
rot even yet been realized and still re-
mains an uncertainty as to the clock
figures, although the artist promises COM
pietton by next summer. The unfinished
works and the account at this date stand
therefore, as follows:
Zone bronze statue. 5000; balance re-
tanned on previous ditto. $1,000; clock
piece. 1895; bronze doors, one pair, 3d.
total, $35, 46T."
Custody and Care.
Regarding the custody and care of the
building and grounds, he says:
This duty covered two periods-the first
from March to July 4. during which 1
acted by direct appointment of law, the
funds therefor being derived from the un-
expended balance of the hast appropria-
tor Tor the construction OF the building
and the second. from July to the present
time during which 1 acted by appoint
AiACAit VI TIC r. DQFlnR the first
period and until the new librarian and
the larger organization provided for by the
law We're gradually appointed and entered
upon their duties IN July ana August, and
When the adjournment of Congress made
real activity for the removaIfof the library
10 IT'S new quarters more practicable the
building remained nearly vacant It was
freely open to visitors, however who came
by thousands daily. ! S\s1
The labor of caring for and protecting
the building and grounds during this period
was therefore somewhat less; than, Ia ter
when 1t materially increased as the build
Ing became occupied ana used by the
July. 9">'F 4
The grounds have Been handsomely
lighted since March, 4. by .rneans of the
electric plant in the building. All of the
extensive apparatus and machinery of the
building has been in excellent running or
der continually and, so far as the weather.
and the occupation and use of the build
Ing, have required, 1t is constantly in ac-
tive operation. "a
s''' The Visitors.
During the spring and early summer
the number Of visitors to the building
averaged nearly 1000 per day. during the
later summer about 500. and in the autumn
about 100. while the number is now
hoilGay November 25. it was 477S"<
AS specifically required by law, Mr. Green
then gives the number of EMPLOYEES and the
compensation Of each. since the beginning
maintenance of the library building and
grounds, the total Of the force in his de-
partment at this time being seventy-fve.
The Library Force.
The present force is about normal and
will need but slight increase IL any, for
some months to come. For economical
management the force Of laborers, char
women, hremen and mechanics necessarily
varies from time to time as the seasons
change and exigencies arise, recurring a
certain hexibility in the strength Of the
Iorce. Heavy duties of disbursng and
clerlca! labor pertaining to the numerous
operations or removal Of the library and
lifting up the new building with furniture.
aaoed to the disbursements for the library
quired unusually able and experienced
clerks.
THE care and custody Of the building
was an important part of the business of
that the continuance Of that work with
no great increase IN its amount, after the
construction was completed, naturally
called for the retention of a number Of the
experienced employees, who were the sur
vival Of the fittest for thorough familiar
lily with this extensive and complex build
ing. Comparatively few new ones, and
those OF the less skilled classes, were need
manent force.
"All appointments have been made in
strict compliance with the law, solely
with reference to their fitness for their
particular duties and all are held to con-
slant accountability by. this standard.
Such as prove not to be we'll adapted for
their duties are discharged and competent
persons substituted
Some additional force is likely to be
needed as the library becomes more set
s sea aqr nIi, the he coming but the
until the several departmahts Of the IL
brary are finally ard permanently settled
and in full operation With their apart
ments completely fitted up ahd furnished
"A still further. though small. increase
OF force will be requires If the library is
to be kept open, as. Inv my judgment, it
should be. not only every day. but every
evening throughout the year. No force be-
Ing Ing provided .s in the law under the nbrar-
fees and rooms directly occupied by his
departments. I have Understood that such
duty was intended to be- performed by my
ONCE and have acted acctrdfngly. Economy
and simplicity Of administration evidently
demand that the chief Cleaning and polio
ing OF these spaces shou1d nte be separated