Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
MR.. CARNEGIE ACCEPTS INVITA-
T1oN TO OPENING.
Limited Number of Invitations to Be
Sent Out-Simple Program
Prepared.

Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, donor Of the fund
of $3.50 900 with which the new Public LII
brary building in Mount Vernon Square
was constructed, has very cordially ac-
cepted the invitation to be present and de-
liver an address on the occasion OF the
opening of the library January I next.
Commissioner Mcfarland, president of the
Public Library building commission, has re-
ceived Mr. Carnegie's acceptance and with
the other members of the commission is
much pleased at the assurance of the pres
ence of the man who made the magnificent
new building possible. The opening Of the
library promises to be a notable event.
President Roosevelt has accepted an invt-
tation to be present, and there will be an
altogether representative gathering of high
government officials and men of national
prominence.
Mr. Carnegie's Interest.
Mr.. Carnegie's health is now fully re-
stored, and it Is said he will allow nothing
to keep him from being In Washington on
this occasion. Mr. Carnegie takes an es-
pecial interest in the library building here,
for it is not only one of the most important
and imposing he has ever given to a mu-
nicipality, but. in addition, it's presence In
the capital city of the nation gives to 1t
a certain national character The donor
feels glad to have had snare IN the ao-
vancement of Washington. He has now
given about LOCO library building; to va
rous cities in response to requests which
have come from all around the civilized
world His address at the opening OF the
Washington Public Library is expected to
show something of the fruit of his unprece-
dented experience in dealing with libraries.
Limited Number Of Invitations.
Commissioner Macfarland stated today
;pxri 70 OnenjO0
of the library are about to be sent. The
capacity of the library hall, where the ex-
ercises are to be held. is comparatively
small, and in consequence the commission
has been obliged to limit the invitation
list to official and representative men. AS
stated above, the President of the United
States has already signified his intention
of being present The members Of the cabi-
net, the chief justice and associate justices
of the United States Supreme Court, SEN
ators representatives, the Commissioners
of the District Of Columbia, prominent OFF,
GERS of the army and navy, members of the
District Judiciary the trustees of the Car
negie Institution, representatives of the col
leges and universities and officers of the
Washington Board Of Trade and Business
Mems Association are among those to be
invited.
A Simple Program.
1t is stated that the invitations are not
transferable, and 1t is the hope of the COM
mission that prompt response will be
made so that all the arrangements can be
properly completed. The program will pro-
vide for simple exercises. Commissioner
Macfarland as president of the library
commission, will preside and make brief
address. He will turn over the building
to the library trustees and Mr.. Theodore
w. Noyes, president of the board of trus-
tees, will make the speech Of acceptance.
Music for the occasion will be furnished by
the United States Marine Band. with Lieut..
Santelmann in charge. The formal open
ing exercises will take place al 2:3O O clock
in the afternoon and will occupy probably
an hours time. Afterward, during the af-
ternoon and evening, the library building
will be open to the general public. The
Marine Band will remain on hand during
a greater portion Of the time.