New-York tribune., 1901-03-21
AGAINST SANDERS BILL.
WHALEN SAYS NO MAN WITH SENSE OF
DECENCY WOULD SEEK PLUMBER
THROUGH CARNEGIE GIFT.

Mayor Van Wyck, Corporation Counsel Whalen
and other city officials have expressed an
noyance at the apparent eagerness of some Tam
many politicians to get additional patronage and
plunder from the city through Andrew Carnegie S
generous offer to give s. 600 for sixtyve branch
libraries. From the beginning, the Mayor has de-
clared that the city ought to accept Mr. Carnegie $
offer. He promised do everything in his power
to secure for the city magnificent library sys-
tenn such as Mr.. Carnegies gift would provide. 1t
said at the City Hall yesterday that he was
angry because of the Tammany politicians
have been making nlans to capture patronage in
the libraries, and plunder in the purchase or
library sites by the city
Corporation Counsel Whaen. who is powerful in
the Tammany organization. said yesterday, when
he was asked by Tribune reporter for informa-
ton to some of the plans referred to- NO Tam
many man with any sense OF decency would make
such plans. There should politics in the accept
of Mr.. Carnege's generous offer" Mr.. Whalen
Is at work with Deputy Controller Levey and
George l.. Rives. the secretary of the trustees Of
the Public Library on the enabling bill which the
legislature will be asked pass permit the city
to meet conditions expressed in Mr.. Carnegie <
recent letter to Dr. Billings The bill will provide
ways In which the city can acquire sites for the
branch librarie7 and provide suitable annual main
tenance for the libraries when they are built. Mr..
WhaIen said yesterday that he expected the hill
would be ready for the legislature in day or two
He said he hao interest whatever in the bill
introduced by Assemblyman Sanders. OF Newly ork,
many commission to buy library sites for the city
at a cost of about 100000 As TO the assertion Of
Assemblyman Sanders that he thought the bill
would have the support OF the Tammany organiza-
ton, Mr.. Whalen said. with a frown: The organi-
cation has interest in such bill"
Mr.. Carnegie was expected to reach Southamp-
ton, England. yesterday. and the Mayor sent 10
him the following dispatch by cable:
Andrew Carnegie. Steamship St. Louis. southamp-
The people OF the city Of New-York heartily thank
you for your noble oIer ] to give 5000" tor the
city. They extend you their best wishes with
fSiI app[eciato d % 1id %L % i, b =" S1uI si u 10
ROBERT a. VAN WICK. Mayor.
The Mayor and Corporation Counsel yesterday re-
ceived from Miles NJ O'Brien. president OF the
Board OF Education. copies of Mr. OBrien's sugges-
tions the Of lots adjoining certain schools
as sites for branch libraries. The lots pur-
chased by the city TO provide additional light and
air and Fairgrounds for the schools in his letter
Mr.. OBrien says:
The utilization of this property will place the city
in possession OF the facilities desired a much
earlier date than # The munGiPaty has TO wait
sites by condemnation proceedings.
The properties referred TO by Mr.. O'BrIen adjoin
the public schools at Nos. 1S9 Broome-st ia Hes
ter-st., 70 Lews-st.. GO hottest. % East Twenty
eighth-st.. West Thirteth-st. 232 East Thirty
eighth-st., 276 West Tenth-s 3lS East Seventeenth
st. 2l2 East Forty-seventh-st, 124 East FTfty-sec-
ond-st. 124 third-st.. 20s East Eightieth-
St. 157 West One-hundred and -fourth-st 42 Green
wch-st.. 113 East Fourth-st, 352 West Thirty fifth
St. 121 East Eightyseventh-st., 206 East Seventy
sixth-st., 5G2 East Eightysecond-st. and 604 East
One -hundre and fifty y-seventh-st
In addition to these sites. Mr.. O'Brien suggests
that libraries might be placed at minimum cost
the first floors of the school buildings at One
hundred -and-ffth-st. and Second-ave., One-hun-
dred-and- -eleventh-st and Lenox-ave. One hundred
and thirty thrd-st and Eighth-ave., Ninety
st. and SecOnd-ave., One e-hundred and -second-st.
and Tenth-ave., One-hundred- a nd third-st and
Madison-ave, st. Nicholas-ave and One hundred
and-ifty- -sixtL-st. and at Eighty -ninth-st. and
Coumbus-ave.
''I believe" Mr. OBrien says. that the estab-
Iishmcnt of these libraries IN connection with the
public school system of the city will rebound the
advantage of both and the result be most bene-
hcial.
Some of the officials have expressed dsapprovaI
of Mr. o. Brien's plan saying that the lots adtoin-
ing the schools bought by the city for the
purpose Of giving to the school children additional
light and air and ground to have heathful exercise
on and that IL would be unfair to deprive the chill
dren of the additional space. II Is believed that all
the sites for branch Libraries needed will be given
to the city by wealthy men who Interested in
the extension of the city's library system.