The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-05
FOR FREE LIBRARY
MIR. CARNEGIE ASKS WHY HoDG-
SON HALL MAY NOT BE USED.
MAYOR ASKS COL. MERCER.
THINKS A HAPPY SOLUTION OF
THE QUESTION is OFFERED.

Letter From MIR. Carnegie's Secre-
tary Received, Asking if Building
of the Georgia Historical Society
Might Not BE Used-MnyOr RepIied
That He Had Placed the Matter
Before the President of the So
ciety-MayOr Expressed the Hope
to Col. Mercer THAT Such an Ar
rangement Might Be Made-CoI.
Mercer Has Been Opposed to the
Convention of the Historical So
ciety Into Free Public Library.
Mr. Andrew Cargenie wants to know
if Hodgson Hall, the building of the
Georgia Historical Society, at CASTOR
and Whitaker streets, would be avail
able for a free public library His
desire for information on this point
grows out of the answer that was
made him by Mayor Myers several
days ago, when he asked to be in
formed as to how any present library
in Savannah is housed.
A letter was received by the Mayor
yesterday morning from Mr.. James
Bertram, secretary to Mr.. Carnegie,
asking if the building used by the
Georgia Historical Society might not
be used as a free public library in
consideration of the city supporting
the institution from taxation. In re-
ply to this letter, the Mayor wrote the
following:
Mr.. James Bertram, Secretary Mr.
Andrew Carnegie, New York City
Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of
End inst. relative to the use of the
building of the Georgia Historical So
ciety for a free public library, | have
placed the matter before the society
through it's president, and as soon as
l am advised by him will forward the
RESULTS of my enquiries to you. Very
respectfully Herman Myers,
Mayor"
The letter the Mayor wrote Col
George A. Mercer, president of the So
ciety was as follows
fCol. George A. Mercer. President of
the Georgia Historical Society, City:
Dear Sir-I am in receipt this morning
of an inquiry from Mr.. Andrew Car
negie. by his secretary, as to whether
the building of the Georgia Historical
Society could not be converted into a
free public library in consideration of
the city supporting the library from
taxation.
From my earlier correspondence
with Mr.. Carnegie / am under the i'm
preston that if this can be done he
will endow the free library to a con-
siderable amount. Such a use of the
building and of the collections of the
Georgia Historical Society appears to
me a very happy solution of the free
library question. Its admirable loca-
tion, it's already large assortment of
books of all kinds and the desire of
it's members to enlarge the scope CT
it's usefulness lead me to hope that it
is possible that some such arrange
ment can be made. l believe that it
is your wish that our people should
enjoy the advantages of a completely
stocked and progressive free library if
it is possible to obtain one, and that
your aid can be relied on in such a
movement. Not knowing whether your
charter would permit of such thing,
| would request that you advise me in
the matter and indicate whether. in
your opinion, if such an arrangement
is possible, the members of the Ills
torical Society will be willing to grant
the use of the building and books as
the nucleus of the free library. Very
respectfully, Herman Myers,
Mayor"
No reply from Col. Mercer was re-
ceived yesterday, though the Mayors
letter was delivered during the day.
1t is expected, however. that Col. Mer
GERS reply will not be favorable, as he
does not approve of the conversion of
the Georgia Historical Society into a
free public library.