Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-24
IN POSITION
Corner Stone of New Public Library
Building Laid This Afternoon.
DETAILS OF THE SIMPLE SERVICES
Additional Articles Deposited With
in the Granite Block
SMALL COMPANY PRESENT

The granite corner stone from which
will rise the imposing new building Of the
Washington Public Library. in Mount Yer
non Square, was laid this afternoon shortly
after O'Clock with simple ceremony and
In the presence OF small company OF Ii
brary officials and other officers imme-
diately concerned in the erection OF the
edifice, which is gift to the District OF
Columbia from Mr.. Andrew Carnegie.
1t was some time ago decided that tho
exercises in connection with the laying of
the corner stone should be transformations
in view Of the proposed public celebration
year hence. when it is expected the
building will be ready for dedication aud
occupancy. At that time Mr. Carnegie the
donor, will have returned to the United
States. and it is expected he will be pres
ent Congress will be in session and many
senators and representatives who have
been interested in the public library and
who have assisted in legislation affecting
it, will thus be enabled to attend the dedi-
cation.
Those present to witness the placing ~
the corner stone this afternoon began to
arrive within the building enclosure shortly
before the hour set for the informal c,.re-
mony. The contractors had everything n
readiness, and there was little time lost in
completing the preliminary arrangements.
Those in attendance included the public
library commission organized under the
act of Congress accepting the Carnegie Rift
and setting aside Mount Vernon square as
the site, composed of the District Commis-
sioners, Messrs MacfarIand. Ross and
Beach; Col. Theodore Bingham the army
officer in charge of public buildings and
grounds and Mr. Theodore w Moves
president n nf frtsS
In addition to the commission the company
ircluded members of the library board ~
trustees, the personnel of the board being
as follows: Mr.. Bernard r. Green of the
Library of Congress. who is acting as sil-
perintendent Of construction Of the new
building, and Librarian Weston Flint We're
also present. Commissioner Ross, AS prtsi-
dent Of the library commission acted IS
presiding officer OF the ceremonies.
Contents of BOX.
When the granite block was swung into
position on the northeast corner of Tho
stanch foundation of the library building
1t contained within a chiseled recess a cop
per box in which had been placed a num-
ber of historic documents and articles
which may be unearthed in some far dis
tapt age and be found Of valuable interest
to the peoples Of that time as reflection
of the work of the residents of the District
of Columbia and example OF the gem
erosity of Mr.. Carnegie in the first OF tie
twentieth century.
The copper receptacle was sealed In the
presence OF those who witnessed the lay
ing OF the corner stone, that act being The
first feature of the exercises.
An important and interesting addition To
the list of articles placed within the cor
ner stone, as heretofore published in The
Star, was a Washington city directory OF
1901.
The names contained within the book
will thus be handed down to posterity along
with the other documents, which are main
ly connected with the library and its work.
A second addition to the list Of articles de-
cided upon as having place in the corner
stone was copy of the penciled memo
randum given by Mr. Carnegie in proffeIirg
his gift to the District. When Mr. Car
negie was approached on the subject of the
library, 1t will be remembered. he wrote a
brief memorandum of his offer on the back
Of an envelope. This memorandum was
the first step toward the library building,
which is so soon to be reality. The origl-
nal memorandum will be kept I'm The
archives OF the library.
Other Articles.
The other articles placed in the corner
stone were:
Copy of invitations sent those present.
List of members of the board of trustees.
List of library employees.
Plan of building in pamphlet form.
All publications issued and forms used n
the library.
Bylaws of the board OF trustees.
Description of building now occupied by
the library
Building chronology.
Reports of the board Of trustees and IL
brarian 1898, 1899. 1900.
Blanks used in the library, 1901.
Washngton-Ill Illustrations OF the city and
buildings, issued by Board of Trade, 1899
Historic medal commemorating the l0th
anniversary of the establishment OF the
seat of government in the District OF Co.
lumbia, December IL, 1900.
Address of Mr. II. B. F. Mcfarland at
the Executive Mansion Wednesday De-
cember II, 1900, being the commemoration
of the Tooth anniversary of the establish
ment of the seat of government I'm the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Official medal of the Inauguration COM
mittee, March 4, 1901.
Silver and minor coins of the United
States. 1901, 81, 80 cents, 25 cents 10 cents,
cents, ] cent
Copy Of the original contract for the
erection of the library building.
Reports Of the committee on public
library Of the Board of Trade, 1S93-1so.
Washington Star, April %, 1901.
Washington Post April "a, 1901.
Washington Times, April "a, 1901
Copies of the acts Of Congress establish