The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-07

ace OF Aladdin, since that was for the
use Of one only, while this Temple of
knowledge is for the use Of all the peo-
pie, without money and without price.
Rank and Birth Unknown.
This Is the palace of the republic Of
/ letters, e hierarchy in which the SUI
preme masters. almost without excep-
ton, have come from the cottage of
the poor, not from the palace of noble
OF millionaire. The free library. main
tanned by all the people, for all the peo-
pie, knows neither rank nor birth
within its walls. Even he who honors
US today by his august presence. the
holder Of the highest position upon
earth, the elected Of the majority Of the
speaking race. a position com
pared with which ali inherited positions
sink into insignihcance, even he within
these walls has no privilege which Is
not the right OF his poorest and hum
blest fellow-citizen.
Cradles of Democracy.
Free Libraries maintained by the peo-
pie are cradles of democracy, and their
spread can never fail to extend and
strengthen the democratic idea the
equality of the citizen, the royalty of
man. They are emphaticaIIy fruits Of
the true American ideal
But while even the President thus
stands upon the common level, as Presf-
dent, We cannot fail to remember that
IN the free library the man has place.
denied to the official. as a prince IN the
republic Of letters, for In the ranks OF
those who constitute the chief glory of
nation, its authors. this was won long
since by Theodore Roosevelt. the au-
thor, Before he was President. he had
Caesar-like, not only caused his fellows
TO mark him and write his speeches IN
their books but had made books him
self, I doubt not. that OF the books
taken from this library. his viii rank
high in the list. We hail him today.
therefore. IN the dual capacity Of Presi-
dent and author. positions unsurpassed
in their several spheres. rare and won
derful in combination.
n
I shall not descant upon the advant-
ages Of the free library, but this seems
an oPPoTtune occasion TO explain Just
what the free library business means
upon which I have embarked. Seven
hundred and thirty library buildings
have been given. chiefly within the last
two years. and most of them are built
or under construction. During July last
276 applications for library buildings
were received from various parts of the
English-speaking world, all of which
were, or are, being dealt with. Upon ar
rival in New York last month we found
over $50 additional applications from the
United States and Canada awaiting in
curry and decision, IN regard to nearly
all Of which my secretaries are now in
correspondence.
Many Applications on Hand.
From England, ireland. Scotland
New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia
Mexico and other parts, the CRY is Still
they comet for We have today 385 new
applications on hand. Thus there are
under way today more than 500 appIfca-
tons, the great majority of which Will
no doubt. be given Some will not be-
for zone are passed without careful in
vestigatiOn, and unless we are satisfied
that there is a community tributary to
the library which is willing and anxious
10 support it. as you were In Washing
ton, thus making them in the fullest
sense the libraries Of the people. be-
cause maintained by the people
"One reason for mentioning these fig
ures is that It may relieve Us of the
charge Of rudeness in not replying TO
the thousand and one suggestions which
are made, urging entrance uIsJn other
fields Of usefulness. while we are unable
90 keep pace with the demands of tho
work in hand
Reward of Concentration.
IN my first public address made to
our young men in Pittsburg-how many
years ago I need not MENTION told
Them to put all their eggs in one bas-
ket and then watch that basket have
been a concentTator all my life. I have
seldom or never known q great success
made by the Jack-of- all-trades. the
controller of none. l am IN the library
manufacturing business and beg to be
allowed to concentrate my time upon it
until it is filed. II ever it is filled.
shall, Of course, have to look out for
other empl,y ment, That day. however.
as you see, seems somewhat remote.
Not Weary of Well-Doing.
las Iorg as 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-
tenn, thus making it the library Of the
people and ar adjunct of the public
school system, so long I intend TO labor
in that vineyard keeping myself free
as possible from hearing OF the woes
and wants Of humanity in general, TO
which. II I listened. I would soon be-
come unfit for my special work, which
think best of all, for among all the |
suggestions made-snd they are num-
berless. not one have I found which, to /
my mind. equals the free library main |
tanned by the people as field for the /
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