New-York tribune., 1900-03-05
BROOKLYN NEWS.
SEEK TAN EXEMPTION.
BROOKLYN LIBRARY DIRECTORS ASK
LEGISLATIVE RELIEF
DO NOT FAVOR SUGGESTION THAT INsTITUTIO,
BE TURNED OVER TO THE CITY.

BE TURNED OVER TO THE CITY.
Public attention has recently been directed to the
affairs of the Brooklyn Library, whose broad four
story dark brick structure No. 1877 Montague
st. is well known residents of Brooklyn. For
thirty years this institution has been a
factor in the educa tional interests of Brooklyn.
It's officers have included of the most repre-
sentative of Brooklyn The library built
by the requests and gifts of public spirited persons
and it has been aided continually by private bene-
factions. The proceeds from subscriptions, s.
year, have been only part of Its income
large part of the support of the library mas
come from the rentals Of the buildings which the
library owns, adjoining its property. Under re-
revision of the laws this property is taxed
The directors contend that The tax on this prop
erty. the proceeds of which go exclusively TO the
maintenance of the library, is unjust Ihey MAIN
tain that it should be exempt. and with this Idea
In view bill has been presented 10 the Legislature
exemptng the property from taxation. 1t Is the
consideration of this bill which has brought the
affairs of the library into public prominence
A bill providing exemption was presented In
the Assembly in 1899 by Assemblyman Sanford or
the Ist Assembly District. It was buried IN com
mittee. John Hill Morgan a young lawyer, VINO
is the son of James L. Morgan, tr., the president
Of the Brooklyn Library. succeeded MT SandtoIu
as Assemblyman. To Tribune reporter yesterday
at his home. No. 7 Pierrepont-st" AssemoiSmah
Morgan said:
II Ias referred to the Committee on Taxation ana
Retrenchment The Legislature is srict III dit T rnif
nP0n d get 'i bs hrough There hearing on the
bill bill before a not the vet been reported When asked
Abra DE DE GRAY Or ysnda fhat the 9 COMMITTEES
still considering 1t.
Mr Morgan seemed rather hopeful that some
action on the bill would be taken.
TO TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY.
Suggestions have been made that good way
out of the difficulty thrust upon the library oE t7
operation of the tax law, which imposes burden
of 81 600 a year on the library property, would De
~ turn tho library over to the city and allow II TO
be run as a public library. The suggestion Is not
met kindly by the directors. whose pride IN 'he
institution has endeared the library 10 'hehi
that they would rather continue 10 sustain '' 90
library from their pockets than 10 nave ~
made an adjunct to the Brooklyn Free Pubic
Library. ~ ,n
James l.. Morgan. jr, president Of the library
said:
There is why the Br93kyn hsr1 iefary i1efs
/ have certain pride in the library SO ma nlE@ ii Ti
the directors And don't know w Tnetaty he cy
Tbe Question in what direction the Brooklyn
d1 SI hands has never been discussed by
the directors The Brooklyn Library suPPt1Ss It g,
gFSas E9rF and mdnf researoR at gives " 0p'O' '''''
years ago. and draws an appropriation rom o 6he
city of $4,000 year All we ask is that ne pfop
which
Tor offices be exempt from taxation as in the past
EX-JUsTICE WARDS OPINION.
Ex-Just!ce Frederick A Ward. who is director
or the library In an interview with a Tribune re-
porter yesterday afternoon said that there was no
difference principle In exempting the property OF
the Rochester Library. which was done by recent
act Of the Legislature. and the property OF the
Brooklyn Library, whose rentals are necessary TO
supply It's wants. Continuing Mr.. Ward said;
The Brooklyn Library has grown up under the
influence State. TO the extent tlal
II has been exempt from taxation. In view OF this
exemption which its benefactors had right 10 as
sumo would continue money has been contributed
TO its support. TO withdraw that exemption at the
present time would be to perpetratc practically a
fraud upon those whose beneicence has made an
institution OF widespread usefulness. and would
force its managers to the alternative OF closing ITS
TO pay the increased deficit. When much OF the
money raised by taxation here in Brooklyn Is being
expended upon expensive courthouses and other
public buildings in the Borough Of Manhattan.
which merely crafty the eyes and the taste OF the
people, ii would that instead OF increasing the
expenses of institution so indispensn To the
wellbeing of the community, and which has been
conducted the principles OF the str!ctest econ
omy, the State should rather contribute its
necessities and aid II in its good work.
The suggestion that II may be good thing TO
coerce the present management of the library
ment unwise and shortsghted If the
library should be taken by the city the result
would inevitably be that IT would be managed by
purely political board Of directors who would be
more interested in the bestowal of patronage than
In promoting the best interests OF the institution