New-York tribune., 1900-12-05
]. P. MORGAN HEADS COMMITTEE.

J. p. MORGAN HEADS COMMITTEE.
]. Pierpont Morgan, first vice-president of the
society, acted as chairman last night, and. as
the motion was carried without single dissent
ing vote. ne at once named Nicholas Fish and
John J. Tucker as his fellow members of the
committee. Mr. Kennedy in speaking to his
motion said:
Il is quite within the possibilities that this
society can obtain the Lenox Library Building
On such reasonable terms that 1t would be better
10 accept them and sell its lots IN Central Park
West than TO retain those lots and build on
them.
From other members OF the society Il was
learned that the building fund had not yet
reached the 100000 mark. and had not received
any additions for several years. Nevertheless,
there are a few members of the society who
would prefer TO have Il stay where it is until
the fund reaches point where a building could
be begun upon the West Side lots. If only
a part Of II could be put up at time. There
are others, again. who think it would be better
to change the Central Park West lots for a site
on Morningside Heights. near Columbia Uni
versity, and build there when the fund will
permit
The supporters Of both these plans however.
are confronted by the undeniable fact that the
building fund does not grow. while the society's
collection does grow yearly, monthly and almost
daily until the state OF things within its walls
leads some to call Il historical junkshop.'
DR.. S. H. Carney. jr. termed 1t last night.
SEATS AS STORAGE PLACES.
THE very seats on which sitting"
added DR.. Carney have been fitted with lock-
ers underneath. and are crammed with books
and manuscripts which ought to be on shelves
where they could be seen and reached readily at
all times
Another member told The Tribune reporter
immensely valuable collections Of pictures.
laces, manuscripts, etc. which had gone 10 other
institutions solely because the Historical So
ciety had no room in which to display them and
the testators did not desire to have their col
lections stored away where few persons would
ever see them. The inconvenient site which the
society occupies at present in the lower part Of
Second-ave.. also its meetings to be
slimly attended and public interest in its ex-
istence to dwindle
For these hostile conditions Mr. Kennedy's
resolution. It said last night offers busi-
nesslike remedy. AS soon as the new public
library in Bryant Park is completed-and that is
not likely to be long-the large fine, expensively
constructed and perfectly hreproof Lenox liz
brary building will be vacated. If the New-York
Historical Society acquire it, there Will be
a. once provided admirably adapted home
for its invaluable collection, in a place where
it can be reached easily by those who support
it. At the same time. the Second-ave. property
could be sold, and would probably bring 100000
or $15OO0O The Central Park West lots will
bring more now than when they were pur-
chased, and by funding these two sums the So
ciety would probably be IN better financial con-
dition almost Immediately than it could hope to
be in the next twenty years II it undertook to
erect a structure OF it's own
MIGHT BE LEASED.
OF course. IL was pointed out last night. this
rosy outlook all depends upon the terms on
which the Lenox Library Building can be
quired. Mr.. Kennedy believes they will be easy.
and. indeed, there is a surTnise in some quarters
that the Historical Society might be allowed to
lease the building at q merely nominal rent.
Some object to this course, because they fear
II would make the older society practically
an adjunct Of the younger though more Wig
orous institution. But. as the Historical Society
would maintain it's individual organization, IL Is
argued that this sentimental objection would
not long be allowed to stand in the way or the
society's material prosperity even by those Few
who entertain il.
the election of four new members: John ID.
Rockefeller. jr., r. ]. Mather. tr.. William +.
Nominating Committee was also elected to
choose the officers who viii be elected next
month: The Rev. DR.. Thomas Gailaudet. Abra-
ham V. w. Van Vechten Alfred 7. Ackert' Ed
ward d. Page. George Augustus Adee, Warren
c Crane and Hammond Odell.
Last month the society suffered severely by
death among it's members II lost Henry VII
lard the Rev. DR.. John Wesley Brown. Peter
Kemble and its president. John Alsop King.
Formal resolutions OF regret for the death OF
President King, which had been drawn up by
Nicholas Fish. f. w. Jackson and Dr. s. H.
Carney jr.. read and adopted last night
william S. Pelletreau, author and historian read
a paper OF THE Days OF the Stage Coach or
Travel 70 and from This City in 1907 Among
these present were X. ii. Kelby, f. Robert
oh 10 a RAJ
ert Benson, A. V. w. Van Veehten and john
Harper