The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-28
Be NO CHANGES
First Meeting of the Public
Library Committee.
AFTER ENGINEERS SCALP
Ferns and Kelly Insisted That He Was
Not Performing His Duty-Mr.
Moore Came to His
I'D Defense,

| regular session last night The COM
mittee is composed of Aldermen Medin
Ferns and Kelly and Citizens C. H.
| Moore and Thomas F. Courtney All
We're present. This being the first
meeting since the new city admins
tration came into power, election of Of
| hcers was in order. Alderman Medin
| was unanimously elected president of
| the board, as was Alderman Ferns as
| secretary. A number of bills We're re-
| leffed to the finance committee of the
! council with the recommendation that
they be paid. These included the sala-
| RES Of the working force of the library
bilis for books, printing, etc. These
| bills revived the discussions of the for
mer board relative to the payment of
certain portions of the bills by the Ii
brary fund which, in the judgment of
| the board, should be paid out of the
public Improvement fund In order to
| bring the matter clearly before the
| finance committee of the council COM
| lnittee consisting of Messrs. Courtney
| and Ferns was appointed.
On motion of Mr.. Moore, seconded by
| Mr.. Ferns, the library force was grant
ed the usual summer vacation, subject
| to the supervision of the librarian
Then followed much discussion, Gre
ated by Mr.. Ferns suggesting that the
| engineer of the library was not per-
| forming his duty in accordance with
| the strict letter of the law and rules
| governing them. Mr. Ferns said that
the mayor, Mr.. Kelly and himself had
visited the engine and boiler rooms and
| found the condition of them not good;
| the rooms We're dirty and there was a
general air of uncleanliness: that the
engineer seemed to be Indifferent with
respect to tidiness and appearance.
Mr.. Kelly favored the selection then
and there of another man.. Mr.. Moore
saw no reason for change.
THE engine ROOM" said he, ''is in
the hands of a competent man and has
been for six years. He is economical
and in the exercise of his duties has
saved the city much money. He is an
honest and reliable man, just such a
man as is required in the position. l
understand that the board of trustees
Of the library has the power to employ
any one, such employees to be under the
control of the council, and that the
board has not the authority to dis
charge said employe. | am thoroughly
opposed to making any changes in this
institution at this time. Since | have
been member of this board six weeks
have not elapsed during which / have
not been in this building and looked
into the condition of the plant. | am
prepared to say that the people here
have passed civil service examinations
under rule adopted by the council,
and the council must first revoke that
rule before we can do anything toward
removing any one of them. / regard
this institution in the same light as I do
our public schools and believe that 1t
should be conducted as other educa-
tiOnal institutions. | give these as my
i, i.
sition to any change in the library
force"
Mr.. Ferns said that he had visited
the engine room but once and that then
it was not in good condition. He had
no personal grievance against the en-
gineer.
Mr.. Courtney said: Il think it would
be unWise to make any changes at this
time. l assume that the public would
infer that in making a change we are
influenced by political bias. | would
certainly vote against any change at
present.
Mr. Kelly said that he noted particu-
larly the unclean condition of the boiler
and engine rooms.
THE boiler" said he, had not been
inspected for four years before Mr.. Me
earthly was elected mayor of this city.
The mayor sent for the boiler inspector
In reply to question Mr. Kelly said
the inspection showed that the boiler
was sound and safe.
Mr.. Moore moved that there be no
changes made in the library force ex-
cept for cause, such as incompetency,
neglect of duty or violations of library
rules as laid down by city ordinance
The motion was carried without dis
sent.
Mr.. Ferns moved that a committee be
appointed to investigate the condition
of the boiler and engine rooms and also
to look into the matter of remedying
the discharge of certain closets in the
basement The committee appointed to
look into these matters is composed of
President Medin, Alderman Kelly and
Mr. Courtney.
A very interesting and instructive
talk by Mr., Moore followed. He related
all the important circumstances and in
cidents connected with the formation
and duties of the working force of the
library. 1t was a historical sketch of
the big institution and was intended
principally for the enlightenment of the
hers Of ha .+lo