New-York tribune., 1901-03-18
WILL GIVE LIBRARY SITES.
PROMINENT MEN READY TO HELP Full
FIJI MR.. CARNEGIE'S TERMS.

stirred ny the UdEllLi'NAib H''''''''''
drew Carnegie who has offered this city So
200 OO0 with which To erect free library build
ings If the sites for them he provided public
spirited New-Yorkers have begun 10 indicate
their Willingness TO give building lots for that
purpose. and If the city officials should not see
their way clear TO accept Mr.. Carnegie's offer
without the assistance Of individuals 4 seems
pretty certain that enough citizens will come
forward either with land or with cash, 10 make
the realization Of the great steel merchants
philanthropc plan secure.
Among those who have already offered 10 give
library sites or to Join with others in doing so
are:
Ex-MAYoR ABRAM s JAMES @ J. ,lSoS9fihs,yr, Co3GhN
coNTRollER BIRD 5 " BcgRBE roG;;RASs
rs&eMkron S2asr CHARLES WILLIAM hEFai
SCHIEREN.
These names do not by any means include
all who are ready 70 help in this good cause.
There are many others who have determined 10
aid If the city needs it. hut who will not speak
until it Is shown that such is the case.
Ex-Mayor Hewitt has advanced idea in
connection with the new Libraries which has
met hearty Endorsement from such students of
social conditions as William r. Dodge and Rich
ard Watson Glider. Mr.. Hewitt's idea is that
great good would be accomplished If many Of
these sixty-fve new Carnegie library buildings
innocent recreation as well as rooms for reading
and for housing the books Mr.. Hewitt would
like TO see most Of the new buildings fitted up
as places where the readers could enjoy some
thing Of club life. where they could purchase
harmless drink. and smoke and talk and rest
QUESTIONS THAT ARISE.
Many other questions suggest themselves In
connection with Mr., Carnegie's great gift: such
iii
fiji the shelves of the sixty-hve libraries. and
where are the librarians to come from who must
take care Of the books: but trustees of the New
York Free Circulating Library who were asked
about these points yesterday said they might
well wait for future consideration. The great
point is to get the library buildings and suit
able sites for them to stand on. After those
costly factors acquired. the books and the
librarians Will be found without doubt, they
think
The legal difficulties in the way of the city's
acceptance Of Mr. Carnegie's offer would be
considered to-day at a meeting between the
Mayor, the Controller. the Corporation Counsel
and trustees of the New-York Free Circulating
Library. Mr.. Whalen is certain that a way
will be found 10 accept the gift. The Mayor is
also heartily in favor of doing So Mr. Coler is
so enthusiastic about II that he will give one
site himself
Senator Platt and Governor OdeIl are quoted
as promising to do all they in the way of
procuring any legislation that may be needed
and on the whole the prospect is exceedingly
bright that every man. woman and child I'm the
city OF NewYork will be benefited. directly or
indirectly. by Mr.. Carnegie's 81, 100000
THE CONTROLLER HOPEFUL.
Tribune reporters obtained yesterday inter
views with many citizens upon this subject
Controller Coler said
Every citizen who hopes for reform in our
city should take an interest in seeing that Mr.
Carnegie's grand offer is not lost to us by nom
fulflment of the conditions he has imposed BY
joining in a great phanthropic scheme of this
kind and pushing it to fruition man can do
more for the moral uplifting of the masses in
this great city than he can hope to effect i'm any
other way.
Il hope the people of Brooklyn will take as
much interest in this matter as those of Man
haitian seem to he doing | will give one site
myself, and feel confident that many others
will do the same
There are also plenty OF our citizens who
may be unable to give Site but who will
gladly join with others in subscribing enough
cash to purchase site. I anticipate no serious
trouble in clearing away any legal obstacles
that might prevent the city from accepting this
gift"
Ex-Mayor Abram s. Hewitt says he will fur
nish two sites If needed and he is confident
that other real estate owners in Manhattan will
be glad 10 do likewise. Mr. Hewitt advocates
Continued seventh page.