Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-18
A Market Site for the Library.

While The Star is of the opinion thdt
local opposition TO the proposed Pennsyl-
vania avenue library site is unreasonable
ana by proposing no safe and practlcapie
alternative has demonstrated its purely de-
structive character. it is above all friend
of me public library, which was first pro-
posed and advocated in it's columns and
the existence of which is due in a consider
able degree to its efforts The Star earnest
L. desires that Mr.. Carnegie's donation shall
be utilized. and no pride of opinion VIII
prevent it from indorsing heartily any other
method than that originally proposed,
which. without injury to any vital principle
OF the capitals policy, will accomplish this
nUch-iesired result.
The spectacle of wranglinS and divided
counsels which has been presented by the
people of Washington to Congress has con-
fused those who control District affairs in
that body ana the failure of the whole
library project has been threatened, a re
suit not intended by some of those who
have assumed the role of DIRECTORS.
Some wlo have denounced Pennsylvania
avenue as bog on lines of reasoning which
would logically lead to its abandonment for
public and private purposes have proposed
as an alternative to surrender for this pub
lie building use some one or any one of
iHe publlC q pTOpOSdl lliNO4'iiS SOiii'
plete ignorance of the park policy which
has made Washington so attractive, and,
as 4 residence city, SO prosperous, and alb
solute recklessness of the city's permanent
welfare.
1t is clearly a refusal of Mr.. Carnegies
offer to say that Pennsylvania avenue can
not be used for site purposes because its
low level makes II a bog, and that the al
tentative is for Washington to commit the
suicidal folly of requesting that the de-
structive precedent be set of violating
public trust and of robbing the capital of
its breathing places in order TO cover them
with bricks or stone.
There may be. however, some other ac-
cessibIe place than the Center market site
which Is at the disposal of the United
States or the District, and which is not so
dedicated to park purposes that its use will
he Inconsistent with higher principle of
local interest than the enjoyment of fine
library building. If SO, The Star heartily
endorses in advance the selection by Con-
greSs Of any such site
Among tine so-called parks suggested as
d library site is Mt. Vernon square. If that
square is really a park. as it is treated by
those who have proposed it, its use would
III The Stars opinion be impossible But
Investigations conducted by The Star, the
results of which printed elsewhere in
today's issue, raise the question whether
this site may not be available for library
Use without violating any principle and
without creating any disastrous precedent
It Is stated at the District surveyors Of
flee that this square is merely the confiu-
ence of certain streets and avenues that
it was not originally set apart for park
DuTpDSAS bat in ~ tic
ket purposes was granted by the President
TO the municipality. We know that it was
SO used for many years and but for Mr..
Shepherds forcible campaign would prob
ably be devoted to this use TODAY.
II il turns out that the Northern Liberties
market site, not being a park, is as avail
able for library use as the Center market
reservation, The Star will broaden its con-
tention for a market site so as TO include
the more northern market
a library at 9TH and Massachusetts ave
nue. would be readily accessible through
the street cars, would have the advantage
Tor school use OF proximity to large schools
ana would be extensively used and thor
oughly appreciated by the people of the
District Of Columbia. The building would
not serve the incidental use of adjoining
the city 10 the same extent as a structure
On historic Pennsylvania avenue where it
would be seen and admired By thousands
OF visitors The value of the reading room
rs a rival attraction 10 the saloon in draw
ing the floating population from the streets
at night. would be increased by the use Of
the site nearer the heart of the city The
northern market site would, however, be
an admirable one, in spite of the fact that
II Is situated on Massachusetts avenue
which. like Pennsylvania avenue, was once
bog in which Anthony Trollope waded
knee-deep in mud.