The evening times., 1899-03-30
BRANCHES FOR THE
CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Donor May Establish Addi-
tional Institutions.
Results Of the Conference Held i'm
New York.
Plans of the Project Well Received.
Architects' Competition Soon
10 He Invited.

Andrew Carnegie, who has donated pub
lie libraries to so many cities in this
country and Scotland, has not only given
$3.50, eco for the erection of a magnificent
structure of that character in Washing
ton, but has now signified willingness to
establish branch libraries here, If the de-
mand warrants such action after the COM
pletion of the proposed building in Mount
Vernon Square.
Mr.. Carnegie intimated to Commissioner
Wight, b. H. Warner, and Bernard r.
Green, who have just returned from New
York, where they had conference with
him. that he would be pleased to contrib
ute the money for such branch libraries,
provided that time interposes no obstacle.
Messrs. Wight, Warner, and Green met
Mr.. Carnegie in his New York residence,
and were cordially greeted. Mr.. Carnegie
said he was delighted at the energetic and
businesslike manner in which the citizens
of Washington and the Library Commits
sion have interested themselves in the Lii
brary scheme Mr.. Wight took with him a
large official plat Of Mount Vernon Square,
the site of the Library, and this plan was
presented 10 Mr.. Carnegie. II showed the
NdIIOuS Va eppiodSH, eibAl ih
which lead 10 and from the square like
spokes from the hub OF wheel. Mr.. Car
negie was well pleased with the site select
ed and gratified 10 know that the structure
would be a conspicuous one. During the
early part of the conference he produced
plans and elevations of large libraries in
New York and other cities, showing his
interest in library construction, and ex-
planned the various advantages and disad-
yantaRes of these structures.
Mr.. Carnegie said that he thought the
| day had passed for the erection OF colossal
| library buildings. He thought the age was
more utilitarian and practical, and that
| the time had come for the building OF
! reasonably large library in the centre OF
city, with adjuncts in the form of branch
! libraries in the more remote portions OF
the city. MIR. Carnegie thought the mis-
sion of the public library was to place the
knowledge and literature of the world
! within easy rach OF the public, and 10 do
| this they should be easy of access One of
the difficulties of library work in large cit
| les has been this very thing, and IL has
been met by the Boston Public Library
and the Enoch Pratt Library in Ba timore
| by the establishment of the branca libra
ries favored by Mr.. Carnegie. Mr.. Carne-
| gle made no promise that he would estab-
lish these branches but intimated that he
would and signified Willingness TO do so,
unless misfortune interrupted his present
| prosperity.
Judging from what had been accom-
| plshed in other cities, Mr.. Carnegie
| thought that the sum given by him, name
ly $3.50, 900, would be ample TO pay for the
| erection of a reasonably large, complete,
and beautiful Library Building in Mount
Vernon Square. He laid particular stress
on the point that the building should be
! above all things complete and perfectly
equipped But with the money available.
| Mr. Carnegie thought beauty would not
| have to be sacrificed to make the building
complete and practical. Mr.. Carnegie in
! formed Mr.. Wight that he was willing not
| only to bear the entire expense of the
proposed structure but would pay any
| incidental expenses above the amount al
! ready donated.
The Library Commission will meet in a
| few days and invite the ten architects who
will submit competitive designs for the
proposed structure. Colonel Bingham. Su-
perintendent of Public Buildings and
| Grounds, and Engineer Commissioner
Beach were appointed committee at the
| last meeting TO prepare rules which will
govern the ofice of Superintendent of Con-
\ struction and the next meeting of the en-
/ tire Commission depends entirely on the
PROCESS made by these two members. They
/ have almost completed their work and as
/ soon as they announce their readiness TO
report Commissioner Ross, President of
the Library Commission, will call a meet
| ing.
The leading architects of the country will
| compete for the building and the Library
Commission is already being flooded with
raInes Out of these names, ten will be
! selected for the competition and one final
| ly chosen TO design the building. 1t has
been Mr.. Carnegie's policy 10 give prizes TO
the second and third best designs and he
| NAV do so on this occasion.