The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-07
OUTCOME OF VISIT MADE
TO PRESIDENT h'EINLEY
Mr.. Carnegie Met B. H. War
ner and Offered Donation.
CONGRESS DID THE REST
Site Given and Operations Begun in
1900, Which eliminated in Struct-
ure Dedicated Today.

outcome OF q visit made TO President
| Mckinley by Andrew Carnegie IN Janu-
/ airy. 1893. At that time. Mr.. Carnegie
called on the President and while wait
/ Ing to see him. engaged IN conversation
with 3. H. Warner. member Of the
/ board Of trustees of the old Washing
[ ton Library. The needs OF the Capital
/ City we're impressed upon Mr.. Carnegie,
| who then and there offered to donate
| 1886. 900 for a library, provided a suitable
/ site was secured and the necessary sup
| port guaranteed. In April he increased
Il to $500, 900. and in SepteD5 eT. 1888. to
s35O.0o0.
In three months Congress had desig-
mated Mount Vernon Square as the loca-
ton. STIMULATING that the work be be-
gun within twelve months and com
pleted In three years. The present build
ing commission was named and it soon
designed the structure and engaged Ber-
nard R. Green. architect OF the Library
of Congress, to take charge Of the erec-
ton of the building. In the selection OF
plans. the commission was aided by
Architect George B. Post, of New York,
and Henry Van Brunt of Kansas City.
The foundation of the structure was laid
In 1899.
In August. 1900. proposals for the con-
structfon OF the building proper were
received and a general contract was
entered into to cost s277, 900. Work was
Immediately commenced on the building
and now, having been completed. il has
also been dedicated 10 the noble pur-
pose for which it was INTENDED Con
gress will, no doubt. make an appro-
priation for books and the library will
be greatly increased as soon as this is
done.
Greek and Roman Architecture
The library building is of Greek and
Roman architecture. combining their
beauty, taste and dignity. It cor lists of
a rectangular building u feet wide by 90
feet in length. Wings of equal size are
extended east and west. These wings
measure 81 feet by 80 feet. thus giving
a floor space to the building Of 1907
square feet. or about seven eighths OF
Mount Vernon Square.
There is a basement and first floor,
both Of which are intended for the use o5
the library. In the construction Of the ex-
terror Of the building white marble was
used entirely. and the effect is one OF
great beauty. Thes entranee and the en-
tire facade of the central pavilion con
trasts in its richness Of design with the
more retired appearance OF the two
wings. The central portion consists Of
three Ionic columns, approached by
broad steps.
Arrangements for the preservation OF
books while in the library and for their
proper display are almost perfect. BOOK
stacks of iron occupy the wings as well
as the comfortable and welI-lfghted
reading rooms. The stacks were mod
eled after those in the Library of Con-
gress. and are the latest improved pat
tern. The interior Of the central pavilion
is occupied by fine hall, approached
by fine marble stairways. The galleries
IN the wings are devoted to readfnc
rooms. where quiet can be enjoyed while
reading.
Lighting Carefully Studied.
The lighting OF the institution haz
been carefully studied and those who
have occasion to do much reading at the
library Will have the assurance of do
ing no injury 10 the eyes. The heating
arrangement has been given careful at |
tention. and system inaugurated that
makes every room in the building Of ever
temperature.
Mr. Carnegie inspected the building |
this morning with members OF the build |
ing commission. and he was delighted /
with 1t, He said it compared most IA /
vorabIy with larger and more expensive |
library buildings he had seen. and eg- 4
pressed his delight to know that the Can /
ital Of the greatest nation in the world |
should have such a pretty building. He
congratulated the commission on their |
great diligence and care as TO details and /
said the money donated could not have
been more economically expended.
It is the intention of the trustees Of |
the library TO beautify the grounds in |
the early spring and the square occupied
by the new library will DC ons Of the |
places of interest to be enjoyed by res
idents Of the city as we'll as the thou
sands of sight seeFs who visit the city
every month OF the year. The building
being in The downtown section and con-
yeuient TO many OF the public schools,
it can be patronized by the younger
people as well as older ones
few finishing touches remain to be
placed upon the new building. but these
VIII be done under the supervision of
the board of trustees with the advice
OF the retired commission. Within
another month the building VI. be
completed and nothing rema Iszp be
done except decorate t8~ the
To the men ssszssssFzsz,t I'd
so much of their time - three |
years in looking after obstruction |
IS due the thanks OF tn PIE of Wash
ington. and Mr. CarneG e said TO the
commission. in thank hem himself
this morning.