Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-12
ROHRER MAKES SACRIFICE
Agrees to Read Book to Bee whether il is
Fit for Library Use.
TALK or INSTALLING A TELEPHONE
owner OF ButIdinR Expresses a WILL
TO Erect Fire Escape
in Part Used for
Library.

The Board Of library Trustees was
unable to determine yesterday At its reg
ular monthly session whether works on
theosophy were the proper kind Of read
ing matter which a public library should
furnish to it's patrons. Some Of the trus-
tees feared that the matter might not be
exactly moral and the question was finally
referred to the committed on books and
catalogues to investigate and make q re-
port on at the next meeting.
The question was brought up in q COM
munication from Trustee Stewart, who was
unable to be present at the session. in
which he stated that he had been requested
on behalf Of local followers Of the cult
to have the library install the Theosophicai
Review, a monthly publication, on ita
shelves for their benefit. Accompanying
the communication was q copy Of Annie
Besant's "Esoterie Christianity. or the Les
ser Mysteries,'' which the local society Of
fered as a donation to the library. The
board, however, was undecided as to
whether II ought to accept the work. a.
nome OF the members had read Il and they
feared that It might not be q proper book
to place before the general reading public.
After the others had declined the duty
President Rohrer accepted the task Of
reading the book and reporting on It at the
next meeting.
DR.. J. H. Cleaver. one Of the recently
appointed trustees, brought up the ques-
tion Of a telephone for the library. Ne said
he was greatly surprised to learn that
the library was without one, as he con-
sidered It an essential adjunct Of such an
institution. President Rohrer took the po-
sitlon that the library could not afford It
and the money could be better spent in
purchasing new books. Trustee Baird ia
vored putting In a telephone, as BY 1t he
believed a system Of delivering books to
patrons by q messenger boy could be In
augurated which would be self sustaining.
With the use Of a telephone, he claimed.
patrons would use the library to a greater
extent and would readily pay 5 cents to
have their books delivered By a messenger
boy who could be provided with a bicycle.
After considerable discussion the matter
was laid over until It was ascertained the
decide upon for the maintenance Of the
library next year.
President Names Committees.
President Rohrsr announced these stand
ing committees:
AdministratiOn-w. 8. Baird. Finley
Burke, DR.. J. H. Cieaver.
Books and Cataioguee-Finley. Burke,
Rev. p. Smyth. Mrs. N. L, Everett.
Buildings. J. Stewart. w. s. Baird,
Hon. w. I. Smith. @
Donations-Dr. j. H. Cieaves. O. r. Tyler.
Rev. p. Smyth. 4fa
Finance--C. r. Tyler. Hon. W. I. Smith.
J. J. Stewart.
Trustee Baird reported that as intrusted
by the board he haG called the attention
Of Mr.. Merriam to the new state law rel
alive to FIRE escapes and that Mr.. Mer-
RAM had stated he was ready to provide
the requisite fire escapes as soon as Fire
Chief Tempieton determined what kind Of
IRE escape should be erected on the build
ing.
The report OF the nnanee committee
showed a balance Of s2.021.27 in the treasury
OF. the library. Tue report Of the librarian
for July gave these figures: Number OF
visitors. 4.265; number Of registered book
takers, ASIA; number Of books taken, S.412;
number Of books in circulating library. 49,
IT'S; amour. paid out for rented" books
TO. August 1. $685. GO; amount received from
same, s27s.27.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paui Giles wish to thank
John @. Woodward & Co.. the newsboys Of
this city and other friends who showed
kindness during their late Bereavement In
the loss OF their son, Willie.