Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-17
T HE LIB RARY SlTEl
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie Says That is Not His
Affair,
Views of Citizens in Regard TO the
Location Selected by the
COmmis siOners.

Tie following letter was received this
morning:
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Several people are writing me about sites
for the library in Washington. Will you
please state publicly that L have nothing
whatever to do with the site. This is not
my affair. 1 do not believe in trying to
govern distant peoples. 1 give the money
the people of Washington must do the rest.
ANDREW CARNEGIE
New York, January 16 1899.
In speaking of the proposed site for the
public library building, Col. A. I. Britton
said to Star reporter:
at seems impossible for Washington to
secure a loca ton for any public building
without an immediate war of sites. L re-
greet exceedingly to see it occur in connec
ton with the proposed gift of Mr.. Carnegie
for a free public library building.
Any site suggested would have its dis
advantages. and, taking all present condi-
tions into consideration the suggested site
at 18th street and the avenue is the most
available. most likely to secure immediate
favorable legislation by Congress: and.
taken all around, the most convenient for
the general public.
The two classes who will derive the
greatest benefit from the free public library,
in my opinion, will he the working people
and the school children, and this site is
certainly the more accessible to and more
likely to be used freely by both of these
classes than any other location that we can
reasonably expect to obtain. In these days
contiguity to main lines of cars is indis
pensable for any building that is to be
used by the general public, and that means
with electric power noise wherever the
location may be. We put theaterS.
public halls and all other places where we
expect to conveniently secure the attend
anCe of the public, along or near Pennsyl-
mia and ulv SbOu1j the @
reason control the location of the public
library. 1t is to be remembered that it is
not primarily library for scientists and
students, but for the general mass of the
people, and ease of access is a fundamental
consideration, which is fully met by the
avenue site
No Better Site.
Mr.. Edward j. StellwaSen said:
In my opinion there is no better site in
the District of Columbia than the one
proposed. 1t is convenient to all sections
of the city by the rapid transit lines.
THE library will probably be used most
extensively by people of moderate means
and not by our wealthy citizens who have
their own.
In this view l think the situation is
about the center of popula ton
Individual Views Should BE Sacrificed
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
In regard to the site for the new city
library. it is hoped that no one will adhere
to his individual views 50 tenaciOusly as to
interfere with early action by Congress.
The site on the south side of Pennsyl-
vania avenue near 9TH street was selected
by the District Commissioners with the
approval of public-spirited citizens who
have devoted years of labor to providing
circulating library for the people of Wash
ington. Time lost in Wrargling over a site
might be fatal to the prospects of the Ii
hi y.ft
should be willing to sacrifice his individual
views. if necessary, in order to accept Mr..
Carnegie's magnificent gift without delay.
The movement in favor Of locating public
buildings on the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue is popular not only a means of
beautifying that avenue; but also mat
ter of convenience and economy and for
other reasons not necessary to state. The
most important consideration is the fact
that the market reservation will cost moth
ing.
In view of the fact that so many large
buildings have been safely erected in that
locality. there can be no serious difficulty
as to foundation. The proposed library site
has not been flooded since 1889. Since that
time appropriations amounting in the ag-
greGate to 100000 or more have been made
to improve the Potomac river. New and
enlarged sewers have been constructed.
Other improvements will follow. We are
told that Connecticut avenue was at one
time little better than a jungle. The low
lying. back-bay district of Boston is now
the best built up part of that city.
The Center market site is the most CEN
trail location to be found, giving due
sideTation to the different kinds of center;
that is, considering geographical center
business center, population center and CEN
ter of travel and transportation.
On measuring a map of the city II Will be
found that the geographical center is at or
near the corner of 9th and F streets north
west. The BUSINESS center is more difficult
to determine, but it cannot be said to be
far FROM the same corner. The center of
population is somewhat further north, but
the center of travel and of transportation
lines is certinly not far from the proposed
library site.
To do the greatest good to the greatest
number the library should be most accessi
bic to business people and those going about
on business errandS, rather than to wealthy
votaries of fashion. who move in dress
parade on Connecticut avenue. Doubtless
fashionable people need mental pabulum,
but would they use a library if they had
one? At any rate they can afford to buy
what they want. Now, as to another
branch of this subject 1t is hoped that ar
rangementS can be made to transfer to the
new library all the books now in the libra
ries of the departments, except the scien-
tifc and technical works necessary for Off
cial use. This arrangement would be bet
ter for the government clerks themselves,
who can make no reasonable objection to
this plan. Books purchased with the money
of the people should not be monopolized by
one small class. The consolidat ton would
enable clerks to have a much larger col
lection to choose from, which would offset
the slight Inconvenience of going to an
other building. THOMAS W. GILMER.
January II, 1899.
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