Evening journal., 1903-02-26
CARNEGIE CONSIDERS
GIVING A HARD TASK
Prefers Nor to be Distracted
by Hearing of Other
Peoples Troubles

with President Roosevelt and many
public men present the now public IL
.rary. Andrew Calnegie's gift TO Wash
rgton. has just been formally dedi-
catcd. says the New York World The
house Of representatives adjourned in
order that its members might witness
ne dedication.
Perhaps happiest Of all was Mr. Car
ucgle himself. who came over to make
The principal speech at the dedicatory
exercises and to see for the first time
The magnificent building.
Mr.. Carnegie expressed himself as
greatly pleased with the construction
gud arrangement of the building, de
c.aring that it was one of the best he
had seen.
1T was my desire not to be present" q"
lie said, "but the request of those who
have labored so long and successfully
to establish this library could not, and
/ concluded should not be resisted. 1t
ls so little to give money to a good
cause and there an end; so grand to
give thought and time. The difference
should always be accentuated between
the man who merely gives Of his sur
plus and him who gives himself.
II shall not descant upon the advan-
tages of the free library, but this seems
an opportune occasion to explain just
what the free library business means
, upon which / have embarked.
Seven hundred library building have
been given chiefly within the last two
years. most of which are built or under
construction. During July last PIG ap-
plicatiens for library buildings were re-
celyod from various parts Of the Eng
llsh speaking world. all Of which were
on are being dealt with. Upon arrival
in New York last month we found over
$50 additional applications from the
United States and Canada
1--WE have today $50 new applications
on hand Thus there are under consld
Grafton today more than 800 applica.
tions, the great majority Of which will
no doubt be given.
"As long rs communities are willing
as you are in Washington. to maintain
a library from the proceeds of taxation
as part Of the city's educational sys
TEN, so long l intend TO labor in thai
vineyard. keeping myself free as posi-
/ bic from hearing Of the woes anC
wants Of humanity in general, t
which. If ! listened, ! would soon be
come unfit for my special work, which
| think. is best of all.
"This Is not charity, this is no
/ Philanthropy is the people them
selves helping themselves by taxing
themselves. They owe no man anything
Of moment
"The submerged tenth. which in th'
census we designate as delinquents, d.
not appear to be properly the objects o.
private beneficence. They should bl
the care of the state The habitua
criminal. drinker, loafer, needing tn,
| necossaries OF human life should bl
cared for, being human, by the state
town or community as a whole, anC
some day when we have gone furthe
I'm the path of general civilization
though these will still be clothed, fed
housed. nursod. educated and reformed
as far as possible, they will be isolated
from Their fellows as unworthy L
wear the revcred name of father or tn
holier name of mother.
Il rejoice for my part that l hav'
found a field which still occupies m.
thought and time and keeps me. al
though retired from business, as bus.
a man fhfrl- ar ovn1 l was fn buei
ness, which always was more Of rec
roation than a burden. 1t was cas-
compared with the life ! now lead
mere holiday making in comparison
= Verify, the way Of the distributor
hard
Il dread the coming of the day whe
? / shall have to look out for new field
for distribution. for we have now syi
tematlzed library giving. 1t will be
great plunge Between 400 and 500 le
ters a day now reach my secretaries
and most of them also promptly reac
the waste baskets.
"a man who has surplus wealth an
escapes making a fool Of himself ono
a week or so in view of all the tempt;
tlons he has to resist and all the FOOLS
things he is urged to do, should be col
sidered above the average in wisdom"
In his speech President Rooseve
said that Mr.. Carnegie's gift was tt
best possible method OF helping peop1
to educate themselves.
Dropned Dead While at Work.