The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21
THREATTO A FREE LIBRARY
IL IT CLOSES ON SUND1Y CITY
MONEY! WILL BE cur orr.

The ComptrolIor and the Corporation
Counsel Say so-Expect the New York
Free Circulating Library to Reconsider
the Determination to Close on sundays.
The announcement OF the officials OF the
Free Circulating Library that In order to keep
within their appropriation OF city money they
would havo to close several branches OF the
library on Sundays was met yesterday by n
statement from Comptroller Coler. who said
that he would compel the library officials TO keep
their libraries open on Sunday or. rather. would
cut of their appropriation altogether unless the
librarics remained open every day in the week.
The Comptroller was backed up In his position
by Corporation Counsel Whalen.
IT the trustees persist In their determine
ton TO close the libraries on Sunday on tho
ground that their Income from the city has
been reduced we shall cut of the appropriation
altogether" said Mr. Coler. That is. We shall
continue the appropriation provided the
libraries arc kept open ~ they arc closed we
shall cut It on. II is my opinion that the appro-
printion Is sufficient TO insure good service and
u healthy growth. both Of which are necessary.
wish Of course to be understood In this INIT.
OF free circulating libraries"
Mr.. Coler said that he knew OF no other way
SUNDAY, as they we're In no sense under the con-
city," said the Comptro kH'' but they manage
their own Affairs without reference to any out
J aide body except the State Board Of Regents.
| admit that my plan Ia radical In nature but 1t
Il all we can do to protect the cty's interests.
The situation seems to me an excellent Illus.
:.Iation OF the wisdom OF matchmaking all
reSsynf Hd from the City w,h The
appropriation was sufiiclent l mean what, l
Libraries. i eogldnt be expected to do any
Corporation Counsel whnen had this to say
/ on the subject
| III thos. In charge OF the free public libra
| ries insist on closing on Sundays believe that
| the proper course for the city Ia to decline TO
| contribute q cent 70 their support. Tho people
| IN charge OF these libraries blame the Board OF
| Estimate. believe. and say that because the
| appropriations made TO them were, reduced
appropriations were reduced, but what was
given to them In adequate Their sunday clos
| ing l consider bluff-a threat-an attempt, in
| fact, to hold up the city to get more money.
| New York puys plenty OF money 10 these
| people and II pays that money in order that
cltzens may have the free use OF those libra
! ries. The citizens who contribute the money
| the taxpayers-have. by virtue Of their con-
| tributons. right 10 say something through
their officials as TO what the library people shall
use the libraries and II they are closed to them
on that day the citys financial support should
be withdraw. because II Ia sufticient TO keeT
| thcm OPEN
Secretary Huntington Of the Free Circulating
| Library said Yesterday thBt ~ the Libraries
were not closed on sundays 1t might be posi-.
BILE to save enough by closing tho Libraries, in
the mornings during the summer months
| Such action, he said. had been proposed ans
| might be taken.