Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-13


Anere is very decided disposition
Nm the part of a very considerable
sumber of prominent and influential
citizens to get together the nucleus fol
a fund for site for a public library
to the end that the standing PROPOSE,
ton of Mr.. Andrew Carnegie may be
made available.
That gentleman has made what is
Theoretically an offer to any COM
Immunity to donate the sum Of $4,000
for a library upon the condition that
Whose directly interested in one way
or another provide site and agree tc
maintain the institution.
Several years ago DR.. S. l.. JepSon
conceived the idea that Wheeling might
as we'll be a beneficiary of the great
generosity of Mr.. Carnegie, and he dis
cussed it with some of his friends, but
at the time publicity was withheld
at the doctors request. About a year
ago, however, the Register referred to
I16 HldllSl, anu olOl tly dLbOi W al No -'hA
Carnegie was written to on the subject
by Judge G. l.. Cranmer and others
The main trouble was the acquisition
of a site, and the project has Ian
guished, for one reason or another, but
principally because there was no avail
able method Of complying with Mr.
Carnegie's conditions, through lack
of available funds on the part of the
city and lack of authority on the part
of the Board of Education, which is
at present restricted in library matters
to levy of three-tenths of mill for
library purposes, which is barely suffi-
cient to maintain the existing public
institution.
For quite a while back numbers OF
gentlemen have been celebrating as to
the best method of raising the nucleus
for a site, while Judge Cranmer has
been at work On a bill charging the
powers of the Board of Education with
particular reference to library. This
bi has been practically perfected, and
will be transmitted to Charleston in
a short time, but meanwhile other aux
iliary plans have been suggested, and
promise much in the way of tangible
results.
The most promising means to the de-
sired end comes from gentlemen hold
ing a prominent part in the Players
Club, which has, from time to time in
the past, presented dramatic works 20
the delight of large audiences. 1t is
proposed to present one or two plays
for two consecutive nights at one of
the local theatres, the net proceeds to
go to the library site fund. At first
glance it might be Imagined that this
would not result in much material aid,
but details of the project will give a
different impression. 1t is proposed to
sell the tickets for these performances
at public auction, the highest bidder
to have first choice ef-seats, and so on
down the list. The Register has au-
thority for the statement that one bus
mess man will bid $25 for first choice,
or $50, if necessary, and others will
come cheerfully to the front with live
ly bids, SO the net results will be very
satisfactory. Several thousand dollars
&can undoubtedly be raised in this man
#ner, and with some like methods and
&uthkrity given the Board of Educa-
tion 10 contribute, there would appear
I to be no doubt that a sufficient fund
could be gathered together to purchase
a proper site, while the Board could
thereafter look after maintenance.
The present public library costs for
maintenance, salaries, rent, etc, about
six thousand dollars per year. About
one-sixth OF this sum goes for rent,
which would be saved if public build
ing was acquired, and slight increase
in the present levy of three mills
would provide an ample fund for a
proper institution. At present the
Board cannot assist in the matter, al
though it often has surplus money on
hand 1t is so tied up, however, that
with as much as $4,000 on hand in
cash in one fund, it has been compelled
to borrow $4,000 for another fund, be-
ing thus situated very much as the city,
which may have money to the credit of
one board and yet have to issue orders
for other departments. The bill Judge
Cranmer has been engaged upon is de-
signed to correct this condition of af-
fairs, and with a clause having partic-
ular reference to a public library, the
exigencies of the situation will be fully
covered, and Wheeling will receive a
free gift of $4,000.
Numbers of sites have been suggest
ed, among them the julius Pollock
property. at Chapline street and alley
9, and the Peck property. at Chapline
and Fourteenth streets, either of which
could be purchased for 5000. Either
would make admirable quarters for a
public institution Of this nature, and
might easily be so arranged as to also
provide a permanent home for the
Board of Education.
The matter is one calling for public
sympathy and concert of action, and ii
is sincerely to be hoped that the gen.
erous offer of the gentleman of the
Players Club, headed by Col. Stall
maker and Mr.. E. B. Franzheim, will
be heartily seconded by those able to
further their commendable plans.