The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-30


Library in Mount Vernon Square is now
progressing in a manner which promises
the completion of the building within the
time prescribed by law, or before March
3. 1902. Under the direction of the com
mission created by act OF Congress for the
purpose, the work of laying the founda-
tions Of the building has been in progress
during the months of June and July, and
the sub-structure is now practically COM
pleted. The leveling of the earth up to
the foundation walls will occupy but few
days and then everything Will be in readi-
ness for constructing the walls of the su-
perstructure.
Bernard R. Green, the superintendent of
construction, has announced to the Library
Commission that the revision of the plans
ordered last May has reached a point
where they are justified in asking for
proposals to erect the building. The pre-
liminary work OF preparing specifications
for advertisement is under way, and il is
expected that bids will be formally in
vited before August 5. This doubtless VIII
enable the commission 10 decide upon
contractor, and will allow the latter TO
arrange for material, place it upon the
ground and actually commence operations
by October 1.
In view of the handsome edihce thus
about to rise in Mount Vernon Square ana
its ultimate utility to the people of Wash
ington, it viii be interesting to recite the
history of the enterprise to the present
time. While the new library building is
the gift of Andrew Carnegie to the Dis
trict of Columbia the motive of his gener-
osity may be said to have been the crowded
condition of the library in its present
quarters in New York Avenue, and a sug-
gestion from B. H. Warner. one of its
trustees. that the city was in need of IA
cilities which it could not then afford.
Andrew Carnegie's Gift
Acting upon this suggestion Mr.. Car
negie on January u, 1893, offered to the
trustees of the Washington Public Library
the sum of $3.50, 600 for the erection OF a
new building on the condition that Con-
gress should provide an appropriate site
and suitable maintenance This generous
proposition aroused the trustees and other
friends Of the library to action, and on
March 8, 1899. an act of Congress was
approved fulfilling the conditions pre-
scribed by the donor But the original offer
OF $3.50, 900 was not the extent of Mr. Car
negie's donations. After the passage OF
the law referred to above, on April II,
1899. the millionaire voluntarily added
$4,000 to his first gift to cover the cost
Of furniture and equipment for the build
ing Later in the same year, when the
increased cost of building material threat
ened TO stall the enterprise. Mr.. Carnegie
came forward again with $4,000, swelling
his gift to the Capital Of the nation 10
$3.50, goo. This last donation was made
September 2s. 1899.
The organic act above mentioned pledg-
Ing the Congress of the United States to
the purchase OF site for the building and
its maintenance as free circulating
library. provided in the first instance for
a commission to carry out the specifications
of the act. This commission was to consist
Of the District Commissioners, the officer
in charge of public buildings and grounds,
and the president of trustees of the Wash
ington Public Library. Commissioner John
VI. Ross is chairman OF the commission,
and his associates. Henry B. F. Macfar-
land and Capt T. H. Beach, with Thee
dore A. Bingham and T. w. Noyes. are its
members.
1t was also stipulated in the said act that
the building should be erected in Mount
Vernon Square, and that II should be begun
within twelve months and should be fin
iEhed within three years of the date of the
act, March 3. 1899. The provision re-
quiring operations TO begin before March
3, 1900, was fulfilled by the clearing OF
the square and come excavation for the
foundations undertaken by the municipal
authorities last year.
The act referred to also provided that
the commission should invite designs for
the building from ten architects, and that
a choice of the plans and specifications
should be made by the commission acting
with two other persons selected by the
competing architects. The two men Sc
lected as specified were George B. Post. a
prominent architect of New York. and
Henry Van Brunt. of Kansas City, PTesi-
dent of the American Institute OF Archi-
tects This board, after careful examina-
ton of all the designs submitted, selected
that Of Alderman & Ross, of New York
and this firm, by the terms OF the act of
Congress. were named as architects Of the
new building, to be paid per cent of the
cost of the structure.
Size of the Library.
According TO the plans chosen, the
library viii be 224 feet long, east and west.
and 112 feet on the line Of greatest depth,
north and south. These proportions lar
monte in general way with those of
Mount Vernon Square, which is $40 feet
BY 255 feet. 1t is intended that the library
sh al stand in the centre of the square
edsI and west, but somewhat back from
the centre north and south. TO give room
for suitable approaches TO the south front.
The building Will be two stories high, with
basement, and viii somewhat resemble the
Corcoran Art Building. The material of
the outer walls will be white marble. and
1t is stipulated that il shall be freproof
In every part.
The act Of Congress also prescribes that
the execution OF the plans Of the COM
mission in the construction of the build
ing shall be entrusted to an officer OF the
United States Government. specially quail
fed for that duty, AS superintendent of
construction the commission chose Ber-
nard r. Green, of the Library OF Con-
gress, and IN accordance with the terms
of the law he is TO be paid for his services
an increase OF 40 per cent of his salary
received from the Government. His duties
under the law requires that he shall dis
burse the funds under the rules prescribed
by the commission. make all contracts,
and employ necessary personal service.
The interior OF the library is described
by a member OF the commission in re-
port OF the board selecting the plans sub
mitted TO the District Commissioners
The first floor of the building contains
the most important rooms Of the library.
The main entrance, located in the centre
OF the south front, will lead into the re-
ception hall where the only attempt at |
noteworthy decoration Will be made. Just |
inside the doors stairways on both sides |
Will extend to the floor above and to that |
below. Passing these the library visitor |
VIII come at once to the delivery counter, |
which faces the south entrance. The coun- |
ter is so arranged as 10 attract Immediate |
apT