The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-21
CARNEGIE
GREATLY
SURPRISED
Did Not Think His Donations
Would Cause Anything
Like aSsnsaiiOn.

Southampton. March 21.--Andrew Carne-
American liner ST. Louis at late hour
last night. was interviewed here today.
MIR. Carnegie expressed surprise that his
donation for the beneit of the New York
libraries had caused anything of a SEN
sation.
Two OF the many cablegrams received
upon his arrival at Southampton re-
ferred directly TO recent gifts One of
these teleersms was from Mayor Van
Wyck OF New York, the other from the
worklngmen OF Pittsburg conveying
thanks for the recent large donations.
The cablegram from the workingmen OF
Pittsburg evidently gave Mr.. Carnegie
the greater satisfaction.
1T was a pleasure TO make both of
these gifts" said Mr.. Carnegie to a cor
respondent OF the Associated Press. but
| think my contribution 10 the working
men OF Pittsburg TO be of much greater
Importance than the donation for the
New York libraries, as the working men
always specially appeal to my sympathy.
Il had no idea that my bequests for
the benefit OF the New York libraries
would be regarded as in any way extra
ordinary. ! am glad TO hear that so
many sites have already been offered for
these libraries and l am not surprised
TO learn that Abram s. Hewitt is among
those offering sites for the libraries.
'ExMayor Hewitt is the nobest
Roman of them all, and am anxious for
him TO come TO Skibo Castle. In fact. ]
had determined not To aid Cooper Insti-
tute until ex-Mayor Hewitt comes 10
Scotland. regard this gift as sufficient
10 provide for New York's present needs
In the way of libraries, but she Is a great
city The population OF New York in
creased 81 per cent during the
past decade, while London has not in
creased more than 10 per cent during
the same period, and what New York
may need In the future is a matter for
subsequent consideration"
Questioned concerning the Sunday open
ing or these libraries given 10 the people
Of the city OF New York. Mr. Carnegie
replied: Mr.. Carnegie Is a very wise
man and silent as the grave regarding
such matters. | simply desire that the
people OF New York follow their own
wishes as TO the use Of these institutions.
Whatever they determine will be quite
satisfactory to- me."
When questioned in regard TO tho sug-
gle pooh-poohed any aspirations in that
direction. Il VIII say, however" con-
tinued the millionaire. that Now York
are not half as bad as painted. IL is a
great city and you will have To go a long
WAY NAY 20 find q better one,
suggested a New York man who was
present.
well. Croker isn't So" commenced
MIR. Carnegie. but checking himself he
said. 81 mustn't talk politics. I only
want go say that ! om glad 10 be able
to contribute anything toward the well
fare OF the great city of New York"
Mention of the Chinese question led Mr.
Carnegie Go say: MY views on those
questions are known. America has been
2 great fool IN her foreign affairs and
England n greater fool have been to
China. and agree with Sir Robert Hart
from beginning 10 end II England Is
wise she will follow ilart's advice
Mr.. Carnegie said he had no Immediate
tions
MIR. Carnegie avoided the Southampton
check hunters by remaining on the shin
until the last moment before the train
started when ne jumped into reserved
compartment and started for London be-
fore no va- r,cne utzcd hN the crowd