Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-07

donation and numbered 1900 volumes. The
largest cash donations for the purchase OF
books were made by Crosby 8 MOVES,
$1,000; Woodward Lothrop, M,ooo'
Charles c. Glover. $3.50; John r. Mclean,
$40. and James T. Du Bots, who donated
the interest on 81 600 and agreed to increase
the amount later to 5000, the fund TO De
known as the Henry Pastor Memorial
Fund" and to be devoted to the purchase Vi
scientific periodicals.
Fifteen hundred books were donated from
the estate of Anthony Pollok. while the in
corporated Washington City Free Library
turned over all of its books to the new IN
stitution, 1t being by far the largest book
contributor. Thus the first public library of
Washington began its career with the De
ginning OF the fiscal year 1888 with the
avowed purpose on the part OF its trustees
TO conduct 1t in accordance with the gen.
eral recognition Of the important educa-
tional function of free circulating library
and reading room, accessible at hours con-
venient both for the student In school ana
college and the working people, whose day
light hours are largely occupied in bread
winning.
The New York avenue establishment
opened for business October ], 1888. and
during the first twenty days b,243 books
were borrowed for home reading. For the
six months from January to June, 1890
81 49, books had been borrowed. From that
time to the present the usefulness or the
institution has maintained Its initial rapid
growth.
New books have been supplied and new
readers constantly enrolled. The record or
the fiscal year 1901 showed that 123,5o5
books had been borrowed.
The officers Of the public library are the
same as in the beginning. The standing
committees OF the trustees are composed
as follows:
Books-Ainsworth r. Spofford. chairman;
Rufus H. Thayer. Samuel w. Woodward
Employes-James T. Du Bots, chairman;
Ga Woodward Brainard III.
Rules-R. Ross Perry. chairman; Aims
worth r. Spofford. John b. Larner.
Bunding-Brainard H. Warner chairman,
James 7. Du Bots, Rufus II. Thayer.
Finance-John Il. Larner, chairman; Chas.
j. Bell r. Ross Perry.
Bookbinding. etc. - Rufus H. Thayer,
chairman; Ainsworth r. Spofford, John b.
Larner.
Legislation - Charles ]. Bell chairman;
Brainard H. Warner. Rufus H. Thayer.
Donations-Samuel w Woodward, chair
man; Brainard II. Warner. Charles j. Bell.
Mr. Carnegie's Donation.
The donation of the fund for the con-
struction of the new library building came
unexpectedly and was one of the greatest
and most pleasant surprises the friends of
the struggling public library had ever ex-
perienced. Andrew Carnegie, in the winter
of 1S5S-1s99 had just fairly begun the dis
tribution of his great wealth. and 1t had
been announced that he had chosen a
scheme of presenting public libraries to
various municipalities as a means of de-
voting a large share of his money to the
mental welfare and benefit of the people.
Mr.. Carnegie came to Washington Janu-
airy II. 1899. and called at the White House
10 visit President Mckinley. While wait
ing to be shown into the Office of the
chief executive Mr.. Carnegie engaged II
conversation with Mr.. b. II. Warner OF
this city, vice president of the board OF
trustees of the Washington Public Library
Mr.. Warner preached the library subject
and spoke to Mr.. Carnegie OF the inadequate
facilities of the local public library. HI
spoke OF the vast good the library had al
ready accomplished even with its limited
resources. Mr.. Carnegie at once offered t
donate $50 600 for a new building provided
a suitable site could be obtained and Con
gress would appropriate for the mainte
nance of the institution. Mr.. Warner as
sured the philanthropisc that he was Ger
tain the provisions would be met and asked
him If he would not make the offer IL
writing.
on the back of an envelope Mr.. Carnegie
penciled a few words, briefly stating hi
offer as outlined above. MIR. Warner los
no time in notifying Mr. Theodore w
Noyes president of the board of trustees
and the other library officials of the mu
nifcent offer.
A Site Selected.
Inc matter OF pEONlulilS suitable Slt
was soon taken up with the committees o
Congress. 1t was decided that one of tn
public reservations of the city should b
given over 10 the library, and on March )
1899, an act was signed by the Presiden
which set aside Mount Vernon Square a
the location of the new building This &C
authorized the acceptance Of the gift an,
the construction of the building by com
mission composed of the Commissioners o
the District Of Columbia, the officer il
charge of public buildings and grounds an,
the president of the board OF trustees o
the public library. The personnel of thi
commission it was at first establishe,
was: John Is. Wight. John w. Ross AM
Capt. Lansing H. Beach. Commissioners o
the District; Col. Theodore A. Bingham, U
S. A.. officer in charge of public building
and grounds. and MIR. Theodore w. Noyes
president OF the library trustees.
The first meeting of this commission wa
held at the District building March ., 1SS.
when Commissioner Ross was elected presi
dent of the commission and Mr. MoncuE
Burke Of the District offices secretary. MI