New-York tribune., 1901-03-16
g GREATEST IN THE WORLD" :"
DR.. BILLINGS ON THE SYSTEM PRO.
POSED RY MIR. CARNEGIE-VIEW
OF RUSTEES. =

DR.. John s Billings said last night regarding
Mr.. Carnegie's offer:
Mr.. Carnegies offer to provide library buildings
IS made with his Us1aI conditonS-tbat tbs civ
shall furnish the sites and make a satisfactory
will result in the greatest free public library sys-
tenn in the world. We may fairly infer that Mr.
Carnege's idea is that the whole system should be-
under management, that of the trustees of ths
New-York Public Library, but this is not made one
of his conditions
As TO the question of sites. it is not improbabl,
that considerable number could he obtained with
out cost 10 the municipality through gifts by public
IL is of the greatest Importance that the system
of public schools in the city should be supple
mented by such system OF tree puohc horarieS
commenced upon it the better il will be for tho
Nv estimate that il viii take Eve yeays 10 pro-
vide equip all the buildings necessary is prob
up promptly by the municipal authorities II would
seem as II this time Cogig i Dc Snore9eG NO do9ot %
tails TO be settled. but there are number Of very
Of the great mass of the people. in every part OF
the city is 50 great in seeing that fun advantase
free books almost TO the door Of every citizen that
we feel assured that prompt action will be taken
TRUSTEES WILL HELP.
George l.. Rives said:
Mr.. Carnesie's proposal. take it, looks ~ an
Carnegie himself the NewlYork Pubic Library
and the government Of the city OF New-York Mr..
The tTustqSs Of the NeSYork S PubIc Library will
give their aid to the plan SO far as they can al.
will involve very great additional labor and re-
he Very dffcult for them to manage libraries in
Brooklyn queens. and there already
should think it would prove better To arrange TO
have them administer any branch libraries that
Richmond. The New-York Public Library under
its present organization can. If desired attend to
sny new branches that may be established in Man
haitian and The Bronx.
As to the city. we have seen the Mayor and hs
authorizes us TO say that he is most heartily in
favor of the plan. and will do all in his power 10
carry out MIR. Carpegie's views There are. how
power make the agreement proposed. Under the
present charter the Municipal Assembly has very
buildings Whether the courts would hold tbat
this extended to procuring sites for libraries seems
tinued under the proposed revision OF the charter
in the Board of Aldermen.
think II is them OF course. would be necessary If
the plan Is 20 be carried out. TO procure further
legislation Another point is under the present
charter; or the proposed revision of it, the city so
Tar as TerqeIaoer m mas no authority 10 bind itself
branches
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION
In addition to the legal diGlculties there is also
the financial question to whether the city with
directions, ought TO undertake the financial obga-
lions lions to be incurred in carrying cut this scheme.
That Is largely question of eXpetlienCy and mtsr
be decided by public opinion The city is unabIs
in phs Wav e scbeo n9sd Da s h6s 70 have
rapid transit railroads and other things that are
hraries. Some Of these things perhaps must be
given up II any very considerable of money
is TO be spent procuring sites for new libraries
Which. of all the various things the city is desr-
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROADS. TRIPLE TER
MINAIS
Foot of West 25d ST, Desbrosses ST. and Cort-
landt ST. Convenient to all sections of the city
Advt.
Schnasi Bros. Cigarettes are for sale at all job
bng Houses IN this C1ty.-Adyt