Evening star., 1899-03-30
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
Result of Conference Between Mr.. Carnegie
and the Local Committee.
Suggestion of an Addition to the
Fund for Construction of
Branch Buildings.

District Commissioner John B. Wight has
returned to the city from New York, where
he Mr.. B. H Warner, vice president of the
board OF trustees of the Washington Pub
lie Library, and Mr.. Bernard r. Green, who
will have charge of the construction OF the
new library building on Mount Vernon
Square had a conference with Mr.. Andrew
Carnegie, who has contributed the sum OF
S25O,OOO for the erection of the building.
In conversation with reporter of The
Star today, Mr.. Wight said they had very
pleasant talk with Mr.. Carnegie, in which
he intimated that If it should be found,
upon the erection of the new building, that
there is demand or assity for branches
of the library throughout the District, he
would. in the event of the steel business
continuing good, probably find means for
providing for their erection. Mr.. Carnegie
also informed his visitors, who represented
the library commission, that he will be pre-
pared to meet any incidental expenses IN
connection with the construction of the
new library building in addition to the sum
already donated by him.
Mr.. Carnegie Pleased.
Mr.. Wight carried with him plans pre-
pared by the District engineer department,
showing the location of Mt. Vernon Square,
the site provided by Congress for the new
library, and outlining in detail the eight
approaches to it, Mr.. Carnegie expressed
himself as being very much pleased with
the site and it's resources. and in turn gave
the committee the benefit of his experience
in building libraries throughout the coun-
try. He expressed his preference for
practical, convenient editice, rather than
for merely ornamental one, but stated that
in his opinion the construction of a build
ing here embodying all three qualities is
quite possible with the sum given by him.
He again stated that he desires to bear the
entire expense, including such incidental
and unlooked-fOr expenditures as might
become necessary, but impressed upon the
committee that he does not desire to dic-
tate to the building commission in the
slightest manner in the matter, he merely
desiring the privilege, a very great one to
him, he explained, to contribute the re-
Quired funds.
Large Buildings Not Desirable.
Mr.. Carnegie said that, in his opinion, the
day of immense library buildings has
passed, expressing preference rather for
a central building for the carrying on of
the executive work of the institution and
branches throughout the city for the con-
venience of those residing at a distance
from the central building. In exhibiting
the plans of the libraries he has construct
ed elsewhere, Mr.. Carnegie explained. their
features and repeated that he will be
pleased to give the commission the benefit
of his experience In such matters, and
such advice as might be desired.
There will probably be a meeting of the
library commission in a few days, when Mr..
Wight viii! report the result of the COM
mittee's conference with Mr.. Carnegie At
this meeting it is thought Capt. Beach, the
District Engineer Commissioner and Col.
Bingham, in charge of public buildings and
grounds. also members of the commission,
Will be Drepared to submit their conclu-
sions as to the rules governing the submis-
sion of plans of the building, which are to
be invited from the leading architects of
the country.