Evening star., 1901-04-23
Historic Granite Block to Be Laid
at New Public Library.
INFORMAL EXERCISES TOMORROW
Public Celebration to Await Com
pletion Of Building,
DESCRIPTION OF THE EDIFICE

The cornerstone of the new Washington
public library building in Mount Vernon
square. which is in course of erection with
funds donated by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie,
will be laid tomorrow afternoon at 3
O'Clock. The placing of the historic stone
in position will be attended by no formal
exercises, the idea being to postpone until
the day of dedication. some time next
spring. the formal and elaborate celebra-
tion of the establishment of such an insti-
tuition in the capital of the nation. At
that time Mr.. Carnegie will be present,
Congress will be in session, and the time
is regarded as being altogether more pro-
pitious than the present.
Tomorrow afternoon the laying of the
cornerstone will be witnessed by the MEM
bers Of the library commission, consisting
OF District Commissioners Macfarland.
Ross and Beach, Col. Theodore Bingham.
L. 8. A., the officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds, and Mr.. Theodore
w. Noyes, president of the board Of trus-
tees. The members of the board Of trus-
tees will also be present. the personnel be-
Ing stated below. Mr.. Bernard r. Green,
Mr.. Weston Flint. the librarian. will also
be among those present. The ceremony OF
placing the cornerstone in position will be
very simple. Commissioner Ross. as presi-
ably be in charge of what takes place
He will probably WELD the mason's trowel.
Location of the Stone.
The corner stone will rest at the north
east corner OF the building. that being the
masonic corner Before 1t Is placed in POSI-
ton copper box, filled with documents
and articles as listed below, will be sealed
in the presence of those in attendance and
placed within the recess chiseled for its re-
ception The box will contain:
Copy of invitation sent those present.
List of members Of the board of trustees.
List c'-sibrary employees.
Plan of building in pamphlet form.
All publications issued and forms used in
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
librarian, 1898, 1S99 1900
Blanks used in the library, 1901.
Observation-Disclosures of the city and
buildings, issued by Board Of Trade, 1900.
Historic medal commemorating the one
hundredth anniversary Of the establishment
OF the seat Of government in the District
of Columbia, December IL 1900.
Address of MIR. H. B. F. Macfarland at
the Executive Mansion, Wednesday, De-
cember -. 1900, being the commemoration
of the one hundredth anniversary of the
establishment Of the seat Of government in
the District of Columbia
Official medal of the Inauguration COM
mittee, March 4, 1901
Silver and minor coins of the limited
States, 1901, 81, 80 cents, % cents 10 cents.
cents, 1 cent.
Copy of the original contract for the erec-
tfon of the library building.
Reports of the committee on public libra
ry OF the Board of Trade. 1S93-19OO
Washington Star, April 23 1901.
Washington Post April a. 1901
Washington Times April "a 1901
Copies of the acts Of Congress establish
ing the library.
Library of Modern Type.
The Idea of tax-sustained public libra
ry OF the modern type for Washington, a
supplement to the public schools, for the
benefit Of nearly $4,000 school children. a
peoples free university, open at night for
the local workingmen, was first suggested
and discussed in the local press, and in
1894 was taken up and strongly advocated
by the Board of Trade. The District Com
missioners, the school trustees the work.
fngmens organizations. and various citi-
zenS organizations co-operated to promote
the public library movement, and finally.
by act of Congress approved June 8 1s96
the library was established On the basis de-
sired.
In the act establishing the library the
District Commissioners were authorized on
behalf OF the District to accept and take
title to all gifts and bequests for the pur-
pose of aiding in the maintenance or en-
dowment of the institution. The act also
provided that all persons residing in the
District, either permanently or temporar-
ly. shall be entitled to the privileges Of
the library, including the use Of the books
as lending or circulating library. 1t was
provided that the board of trustees should
consist of nine members. each of whom
must be taxpayer in the Dist rict
The act carried no appropriation, and the
first maintenance provision for the library
appeared in the act making appropriations
of nl 1io
June 80, 1898. which provided the salary for
the librarian, $1,000; first assistant libra
rian. 5000; second assistant librarian, S72O;
and for rent. fuel, light. fitting up rooms
and other contingent expenses, $500; in
all, S6,120.
appointment of Trustees.
The trustees were appointed by the Dis
trct Commissioners and the library Or
ganization completed then remains intact
today, the three trustees first named whose
terms expired in 1900, having been reap
pointed for six years. The organization is
follows:
Board of trustees-S. w. Woodward, B. H
Warner, j. b. Larner A. r. Spofford j. T.