Evening star., 1897-02-03
W A Mt 1T OPEN ED
East Washington Citizens Discuss the New
Library Building.
Memorial Urging 1t BE Kept Open mt
Night-Report of the Com
mittee.

1t is the purpose of the citizens of East
Washington to leave no stone unturned to
have the Congressional Library kept open
for the benefit of the public at night. At
the regular monthly meeting of the East
Washington Association last night initia-
tory steps were taken to- bring this neces-
sary legislation before Congress.
In opening the meeting President Bebson
complimented the association upon the eff
cheney of the several committees, which
were already doing good work and con-
tributing materially to the success of the
association. The secretary read COM
munication from President Henderson of
the North Capitol and lexington Citizens
Association upon the appointment of a
Commissioner, and pledging the support of
his association to an East Washington
man. President Babson took occasion to
remark in this connection that IL the SIX
or seven associations in the eastern section
of the city would unite upon this subject
the matter would have considerable weight.
Chairman Patton of tho committee on
schools was recognized and submitted what
proved to be the important business of the
meeting. 1t was report upon the question
of opening the Congressional Library at
night, and when he concluded reading 1t he
was loudly applaulad. The report recites
the number of volumes contained In the
library, and sets forth that in a few months
they will be Installed in the library, which
in itself Is monument of the noblest
achievements of American architecture ard
decorative art. The educational value of
library of such vast dimensions and scope
housed in the heart Of the capital city can
be measured by the extent to which Its
books are intelligentlv used, and in no
other way. If widely used, 1t becomes the
crowning educational Institution of the DIS
trict, because it supplements them all, from
the ], ndergarten to the college. 1t is. in
fact, the great school of literature in the
long-looked-for National University at
Washington. Every student, every teacher
ton from 1t. In the course of years 1t
should perceptibly raise the average intel
igence of the whole community. But its
influence will be in proportion to its Use.
Continuing, the report says:
"If opened to the public as now only
during the busy work day hours from
o'clock to I, it's usefulness as an educator
will be limited An army of government
clerks constituting more intelligent ana
scholarly body Of employees than can pc
found in any other community, the work
ing men of the District, thousands OF whom
are eager for opportunities for self improve
ment, men and women behind the count
ers Of our mercantile establishments, stu
dents In our colleges, high schools and
private schools, and thousands of public
school children in the higher grades Will
be practically debarred from the use of
one of the greatest educational plants or
our age and nation.
I'VE believe tndt not only SHOulu lNe
reading rooms be opened, but on certain
evenings of the week. the splendid halls
and corridors with their wealth OF mural
decora ticns, under the brilliant electric
light already provided, should be thrown
open free to the public. The interior of
our new palace of letters exhibits the Ia
test production of American achievements
in this direction. Therefore our citizens or
all classes should not only have access TO
it, but should be encouraged to visit it in
the interest of the elevation of the public
taste for the beautiful in art. The appro-
priation act, which has passed the House
and the Senate, and is now in conference,
increases the force of attendants from
~ to 1877 and makes abundant provision
for lighting the building, but makes no
specific provision for opening the library
at night. We take it that the motto of
the East Washington Citizens Association
is The greatest good to the greatest num-
ber.' Your committee On schools there
fore desires to present the following pre-
amble ard resolutions for your considera-
ton:
Whereas, we are IN favor Of making the
use Of the Library of Congress available to
the greatest number of the citizens of our
country;
therefore, be it resolved, first, That the
East Washington Citizens Association is
in favor of opening the Library of Con-
gress from am. to 10 pm! week days.
Second. That this association memorialize
the honorable Senate end House Of Repre-
sentatives to provide appropriations to fur
tendants for this purpose.
Third. That ask the cooperation of
the civic center, the board of trade, the
board of public school trustees, other citi-
zeps' associations the authorities of our
local universities and colleges, and the
public press, IN united effort that this
desirable result may be accomplished"
The report was enthusiastically received,
and several members of the association
were quick i'll responding, speaking forcibly
upon the necessity of the matter. This was
particularly so of Rev. E. o. Eldridge, who
| vantages to be derived from the opening of
| the library at night. Gen. S. S. Yoder,
| Supervising Principal A. T. Stuart of the
public schools and Capt. j. A. Travis also
| spoke. A letter was read from Librarian
Spofford heartily indorsins the proposition
| and pointing out certain features in Con-
gress that must be attended to at once. In
| this connection Mr.. A. D. Wilcox, a mem-
| Der of the committee, which drafted the
| report submitted the following memorial,
| which was unanimously adopted, and sign
| ed by all present. This memorial will be
presented to Congress at an early day and
| it's passage urged:
| The Memorial.
Your memorialists, the East Washington
| Citizens Association, respectfully represent
| that 1t is the earnest desire to have the
| Library of Congress made accessible to the
large army of employees in the various de-
| partments, those in other offices and mer.
| camille establishments, the students In ouI
| public schools, colleges and universities
and many other seekers after knowledge
| who are now practically debarred from Its
| benefits on account of 1t being open only
| while they at work;
| "And, as it appears that light and heal