The times., 1899-10-10
CARNEGIE's THIRD GIFT.
Another Liberal Contribution 20 the
Public Library Fund.

uoifc Library n uhu-
The fund for the building of the Wash
ington Public Library was increased yes
tercay by a third donation from Andrew
Carnegie of s50,oOO, making total of
S35O,000 that he has placed at the disposal
OF the commission in charge of the cree
tion of the new structure This amount. it
is expected, win completely cover the cost
OF the construction and furnishings of the
building. Early last winter letter was re-
ceived by the District Commissioners from
Mr. Carnegie offering S250,G TO be used TO
defray the expenses of erecting public Ii
brary building in this city, if the District or
the United States Government would fur
nish the plot of ground on which the struc-
ture could be located. The matter was sub
mitted to Congress The Commissioners
were given permission to accept the offer.
and select a suitable site from among the
public reservations in the city. commits
sion consisting of the three District Com
missioners, Col. Theodore Bingham, Super
intendent of Public Buildings and Grounds,
and Theodore W. Moves, President OF the
Board of Trustees of the Public Library,
were appointed, and the work of select
ing the site was commenced. The dona-
tion of Mr.. Carnegie was placed at the
disposal of the commission as soon as II
had been formed
After inspecting several parks 1t was
finally agreed to place the building on
Mount Vernon Square. Several architects
were invited to compete for the work OF
furnishing the plans At this stage Of the
proceedings the commission received let
ter from Mr.. Carnegie in which he stated
that owing to the increase In the cost OF
building materials he had decided to in
crease his donation to 100000.
When the designs of the various archi-
tects were received they were carefully
examined, and it was decided to have
Messrs. Alderman & Ross, of New York,
prepare the drawings. After a long period
OF waiting the plans were submitted to the
Commission, and by them presented to Mr.
Carnegie for his inspection. Several minor
changes were suggested by the Commission
and the plans were returned to the archi-
tects. After the alterations had been
made the plans were again submitted to
the Commission. 1t was then discovered
that the building would cost exactly $780,.
0G0, exclusive of the furniture and fittings,
and letter stating this fact was sent to
Mr.. Carnegie by Commissioner Ross Sep
tember Il.
The bill passed by Congress authorizing
the acceptance of the first donation, also
included a provision which prohibited the
Commission from mourning any liabilities
which would revert to the Government for
payment. and Mr., Ross suggested to Mr..
Carnegie that another donation would be
required to finish the building according
! TO the plans which had been submitted TO
him. The reply received yesterday stated
that the donation would be increased by
$4,000. the understanding being that this
viii permit the Commission to finish the
library according to the prepared design
and leave sufficient funds to meet the
other necessary expenses. Commissioner
Wight, acting president of the Commission
in the absence of Commissioner Ross, re-
piled to the letter received yesterday,
thanking Mr.. Carnegie for his generous in
crease, and stating that the amount now
at the disposal Of the Commission is fully
sufficient to meet all requirements
When the plans for the building were
submitted the second time several other
changes were suggested, and the drawings
were again returned to the architects.
They have not yet been sent back to the
! Commission, and until this is done work
| on the building cannot be commenced. The
! site selected has been stripped of It's or
namental fountain and drinking. booths,
and everything got in readiness for the
| commencement OF the work of constfuc-
ton. AS soon as the plans are received
! from the architects the estimates will be
prepared for the building and proposals
/ will be invited for furnishing materials.
1 1t is expected that this work will require
/ at least a month, and the erection of the
| building will not commence before the first
of December.