Evening star., 1899-04-05

Spofford escorted him to the commodious
quarters set apart for the librarian. The
oath of office was taken before notary in
the Capitol building, after which Mr.. Put
nam signed the oath and sent the document
to the Secretary Of State.
The remainder of the day was spent in
becoming acquainted with 5ha heads Of de-
par,ments in the library and the principal
employees. Mr.. Spofford introduced the new
librarian to his subord:nates and went with
him through the building. pointing out the
location of the depar; mems and giving him
bird s-eye View of the working branches
Mr.. Putnam is yOung-,ooking man.
when one considers the work he has done
and the results he has accomplished. His
ms. striking Characteristic is reserve of
manner, not reserve which suggests cold
ness OF haHgh mess. however for. on the
con ntrary. he IS very genial HIS personality
IS attractive and would impress one as a
man who makes friends easily and without
much efor; upon his own part.
The New Librarians Views.
A Star reporter called upon Mr.. Putnam
this morning at the library and had a brief
talk with him. Mr.. Putnam is vcnturng
cautiously upon his work, and as might
be expected. is not in a position at this
time to talk very specifically about the
library or his own intentions When ques-
ticned upon his general policy respecting
the library, he said:
Il am not insensible to the consideration
OF a policy. but if ! We're asked the direct
question to what ii shall be l would have
to reply that have administered library
in Minneapolis. / have administered a
library in Boston, but ] have never admin
istered the J. brary of Congress. The pol
icy. l imagine, will be a question of the
future"
Mr.. Putram feels that he has large un-
"a
at this time grasp it as "a Whole. Neces-
sarily he must take it il detail, and a detail
which can only be worked out day by day,
He must come to know his subordinates
thoroughly. to know the demands of their
positions and to have his work un-
folded To his understanding by daily ex-
Ferience.
He is very chary of promising sweeping
innoy yations at this time. Ii is probably a
pretty gooi guess that he will not talk
| much along his line until he is ready to do
something, and it is likely that one would
not ne far wrong i'll surnlising that Mr.
i'utnam's own mind is not altogether made
up upon reforms to be effected. He says
himself that he has theories and ideas
about the library. but ne realizes that now
he Will nave to consider facts, and he will
weigh his theories carefully and consider
them in the light of the conditions which
surround him before he exploits them.
conservative and Cautious Man.
The impression which one gets from lir
Putnam at this stage Of the proceedings is
that he is a conserve tive ana cautious man
going slowly about his business. under
standing 1t thoroughly. He will apply the
knowledge that he has gained in other
fields To the work before him. but with a
fsard for the conditions existing here
which may differ from those surrounding
his labnrs heretofore. He says that in a
great library the results of a mistake made
al the outset becomes more embarrassing
as time passes on and the library grows
and he has found it advisable to be abso-
lutely certain before going ahead.
Mr.. Putnam does rot seem at all like d
nan who would be sJlicitous 10 make q
great public show of his accomplishment of
| duty, and he realizes that In this case it
may be year or more before the results
| of HIS labor come to the surface. He loves
hard work, he says, and has come to Wash
ington with full apprecia lion of the fact
| that there is plenty of hard work before
him
His family VIII not be with him this sea-
son. they are going abroad for the sum-
mer and fall