The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-17
SATURDAY~...~.AUGUSTl7, 1901
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.l

Statistics OF the principal libraries
belonging to the several departments
of the government reveal the existence
in Washington Of large number of
books, maps and pamphlets. many col
lections of which are exceptionally
complete in special lines OF research.
A list is given Of % libraries, which
contain among them 2,092. 400 books,
51j, 209 pamphlets and 1O9,SS0 maps.
OF these the largest is the Library of
Congress, which contains 100000
books and pamphlets and %, 700 maps.
These numbers are inclusive Of go
900 books and pamphlets In the library
of the Smithsonian institution and
$4,000 in that of the supreme court.
Next In the order of size is the library
of the Army Medical museum, with
135.O5S books and 220546 pamphlets.
The library of the bureau of education
contains 81, SD books and 14O,OO4 pam
phlets, that of the patent office I4,llO
books, that Of the department of agri-
culture $4,000, that of the department
of state $4,000 and that Of the geolog-
zeal survey 1900 books, 1902 pam
phlets and 291S5 maps. The depart
ment of justice has library Of 10000
volumes, the navy department 1868
and the war department $4,000 books
and 1000 pamphlets. The other libra
ries listed contain each from 1900 TO
$4,000 volumes and altogether some
$4,000 pamphlets.
Other libraries In the District of Co
lumbia bring the grand total to more
than 100000 volumes. $4,000 PAM
phlets and 10000 maps, assembled in
large part 10y specialists in every field.
All the libraries are accessible and are
maintained at a high standard of eff
cheney.
Storage of Valuable Papers.
Mr.. +. f. Rittman, the auditor for
the war department. has made his an
nual report to Secretary Gage.
Mr.. Rittman urges that safe place
be provided for storing valuable pa
perS and says:
"The question of securing proper
and safe place for storing the valua-
bic archives of the government is not
new one Papers and documents of
the late third auditors office were I'M
der the act Of July 81, 1894, deposited
Ia and are now a part Of the records
Of this office. Thousands of boxes Of
these papers were placed In the Cox
building. 1907 New York avenue, no
further storage room being available
in the Winder building. The impor-
lance Of rearranging and properly car
ing for these papers is emphasized
when it is known that they must be
consulted in nearly all cases referred
to this office through the secretary OF
the treasury by the court of claims
and In claims presented to congress
for property losses sustained during
the civil war. The facilities for work
in the Cox building are limited, the Sc
curity of the papers is very doubtful
ana their loss would be irreparable.'
washingtOn's LunchrOoms.
'In all my experience as travelling
man." said Mr.. Fred J. Squlres OF De
troit the other night. 81 have never
seen so many dairy lunchroOms in. one
town as in Washington. | suppose the
immense force of government clerks
accounts for them. They are not, the
best of them. as fine in appointments
as those in Boston, Philadelphia and
New York. but | must say they equal
in the material served the best in any
city. To fellows who have to crisscross
the United States two or three times
a year cooking is an important mat
ter. Cooking is good In Washington
much above the average New Orleans
is far and away the finest place in the
world for the best things to eat. cook
ed in the most appetizing way, and
San Francisco is next In New York
and Chicago you can get imported
French culinary service by paying
stiff price for it, but the native talent
is very bad indeed"
A Washington Boys Promotion.
". Morgan Shuster has left Wash
ington for the Philippine Islands.
where he will be formally installed by
Governor Taft as collector Of customs
for that district. having been appoint
ed by Secretary of War Root.
Although Mr.. Shuster is but "A years
old, he goes to fill one Of the best posi-
lions in the Philippines solely on his
past record and ability. For some time
past he has been special deputy collect
or Of customs in Cuba, and 1t was
largely through his efforts that the ring
which had been formed In that Island
to defraud the government was ex-
posed and broken up.
Mr.. Shuster is a native OF the Dis
trict of Columbia, as were both his ia
Their and grandfather. The latter. Will
liam NJ. Shuster. was a well known
merchant here. while his father, Will
liam NJ. Shuster. is a member Of the
District bar.