The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-30
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Mr.. Burnstdef Foster Defends the
Former Library Board.


Mr.. Burnstde' Foster Defends the
Former Library Board.
To the Editor Of the Globe:
There are two sides to every question
and in justice to the old library board I
desire to say few words concerning
some things which 1t has done for which
1t is being quite freely criticised. The
city of St Paul was very badly off for
library quarters and the board took 1t
for granted that the people of the city
desired better ones. The market house
property came into its possession and it
seemed piece of property pregnant with
possibilities. 1t was worse than useless
unless a considerable amount of money
was spent on 1t. and besides being an
eyesoce to the people of St. Paul it was
costing several thousands dollars a year
to maintain.
The amount needed to put the property
into shape for renting and for library
purposes was estimated by our architect
to be- at the outside limit, $40, 900. With
this estimate in view the board under
took the work. AS the work progressed,
and as at about that time there was a
sudden increase Of from rs to 50 per cent
In the cost of labor and material, it was
round that the original estimate was
much too low; but having once begun It
was impossible to stop. Had the work
been done for the amount originally es-
umated it would have been very nearly
PAID for now, as the board has paid out
nearly $4,000
AS soon as the board found that the
original estimate would be greatly ex-
ceeded it Immediately began to let its
contracts on the basis Of long time pay
ments. Every contract was let to the
lowest bidder, and every man who has
done work on the building was anxious tn
do 1t, although they, all knew the finan-
c1al condition of the board. They were
assured that they would be paid in full
but that no definite time for payment
could be set, except in such cases as the
contractors agreed In writing to accent
payment in one,i two, three or more years
Inc contract with the Bohn Manufacture
ing company was to, have been paid ac-
corGng to estimates within q short time
and every one OF these estimates were
paid as agreed, and had the board re-
NAMED In Office 1t would have paid the
final estimates
The members of the library board. who
were giving great deal of time to the
work, thought and believed that the peo-
pie or st. Paul, would support them, and
tney still believe that the work which has
Deer accomplished justifies the means Of
accomplishment
Iak1ng the recently published figures.
Whlcn 1t seems to the writer are not quite
accurate, so far as net income goes, the
gross rentals being s1S,2SO. and 1 cannot
understand how it will cost $1,000 a wear
to run the building The new library
board finds itself in possession of q pieca
OF property which represents, although
only partially improved, an investment
OF $5OO.OO0 at 312 per cent. It has library
FACILITIES which compare favorably with
any IN this country; it has unimproved
property which will easily double its pres
ent income; it has a debt of some $60, OOU
upon which there Is no interest due or to
become due
Does any one feel that the old board
should have refused the market house ?
Does any one fee that having accented
the property the board should have ne
giected to improve it2 Does any. one feel
that the improvements were extrava-
CANT? 49, =
Had the board known that its efforts in
oehalt of the library were to be rewarded
as they have been, it would perhan- hava
hes1tated to undertake such an arduous
piece of work The accounts of tba
BOARD. so far as receipts and expenditures
are concerned, We're accurately kept and
Will be found to balance An elaborate
set OF DOCKS was not kept, although every
item for the production of such books
VIII be found on record The minutes op
secretary and every contract and tho
terms of each contract will be found in
writing. These contracts were raported
TO the board at each monthly meeting
ana Will be found spread upon the Sec
retary's minutes. The minutes of fha
building committee were not transcribed
into book, although 1t was the inten
uon OF the committee that they should
De, and the secretary was on the point or
doing So whenithe board went out of of
nee. The new board will have no diff
culty IN finding an accurate record Of
everything which tie old board did. IT is
always easy to crfticise other noonIe,u
methocs Of doing business, and it Is
never pleasant to pay bills contracted bv
some one else.i Had the old board known
that 1t was to be suddenly superseded Nv
an entirely new one, leaving no enc to
explain its actions Or it's plans, its records
IN detail would have been more elaborate
~ and infinitely kept; but its members
stand ready to explain In detail everv-
thing 1t has done and to furnish the new
board with all the information and a.
s1stanee In their power.
In conclusion, permit me to saw that 90
the late president Of the board OF dirac-
tors of the ST. Paul public library end
as member of the building committee
OF the late board, 1 accept nv full share
OF the responsibilities of its actions 7
nave no reason to feel ashamed of the
work 1t has accomplished. nor do I feel
that the people of ST Paul have anv
JUST cause of complaint concerning what
1t has done. Thanking you for the
courtesy of your columns, I remain. re-
sPsctLul1y yours, Burnside Foster.
st. Paul, July 20, 1900.