The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-05
HONOR GREAT WORK
Editors and Promoters Of Consolida-
ted Encyclopedia Library Dined
by Newspapers.
Educators of the City Are Among
Guests at the Minneapolis
Club.

the editors and publishers Of the Mime
apolis dailies to the founders and pro
motors of the new Consolidated Encyclo-
pedic Library. There were present at
the function, besides the guests OF honor,
many Of the prominent educators or the
city, who took the occasion TO testHy TO
the high regard in which they held the
new publication.
The principal guests Of honor. who oc-
cupied seats at the head Of the table, were
DIR. Orisen Sweet Marden, editor OF Sue
cess and editor in chief Of the new ency-
clopaedia; Professor George r. Dewitt OF
Washington, d. c., director Of the Inter-
national Library bureau and managing ed
itor of the encyclopaedia; James S. Bar
Gus, state senator from Indiana. publisher
of the new encyclopedia, and Willard f.
Hallam president Of the International LII
brary bureau and one of the founders or
the Consolidated Encyclopedia.
After the sumptuous menu had been
served. which was rendered the more
pleasing by the beautiful appointments OF
the tables. the guests listened to a pro-
gram of toasts and mpromptu speeches.
under the guidance of Former Mayor
James Gray. who officiated as toastmas-
ter. After welcoming the guests on be-
half OF the newspaper publishers Of Min
neapolis Mr.. Gray stated that they con-
sidered 1t great honor to entertain such
distinguished guests. After commentlng
upon the unanimity of the Minneapolis
press, Mr. Gray introduced Dr. Charles
M. Jordan, superintendent of schools who
responded to the toast, Guests of the
Evening"
Dr.. Jordan's Endorsement.
DR.. Jordan, after referring In witty
manner to his experience with the new
encyclopaedia, stated that were 1T his
pleasure to again testify to his regard
for the new work, he would do so in even
stronger terms than he had already done.
His remarks were closed by extending to
the newspaper men the thanks OF the
guests for having given them an appor-
tunity to meet the promoters OF the new
publication.
4 Professor Dewitt, managing editor OF
the Consolidated Encyclopedia Library,
was the next speaker, taking for his theme
1.-THE Evolution Of the Publication He
told of the inception Of the work and how
the idea had first occurred to him over
fifteen years ago. while at the home OF DR..
Hallam The idea upon which the new
work was to be founded was that OF cor
relation as differing from the alphabetical
standpoint which predominated the pub
LEGATION of all other encyclopedias. He
believed that people nowadays wanted to
know" and 1t was his Intention tn4 roun-
ding the new work, to satisfy this desire
in the simplest possible manner. Applied
knowledge was the great keynote OF sue
cess day he said. The men who m ely
possessed knowledge was helpless unless
ne knew now 10 Apply II, anu dfietISS1Pe+it
of the new work was to aid In KNOWING
how to apply ones knowledge. hH& 4s 9 &
Has Read the Encyclopedia. rstt~s
The POSTMASTER next introduced Miss
Sarah Geer, principal of the Clinton ,schoo
Of this city and recording secretary OF the
State Educational association, as the
woman who possessed the distinction
which would doubtless be worldwide. Of
having actually read the encyclopedia
.t,,,, f,I1r
sit Is called 1.-THE Consolidated En-.
cyclopedic Library" and right meaning
full name it Is too, when you come tt
know them Intimately; are bound II
twenty volumes, but lest that should
be misleading to you let me say that II
this case q volume Is only so much
the whole as can comfortably and con
veniently be handled at one time, To-
these books bear evidence that they wer'
made to read as we'll as to sell. I wan
to say further they are not of the bulky
heavy order, but just of the inviting size
the kind, you know, that sort of stretcl
UP their hands as If to be taken. The.
are we'll proportioned, symmetrical, at
tractive, artistic in design and color, ricl
in material, made for durability and serv
Ice. Combining as they; do grace an
strength the result Is beauty and ele
gance. The paper is of superior qualit
and of fiat finish the type clear and Dol
and Of the size that appeals to the eye
With the countless vignette illustration
that really illustrate there's a dash @
up to date art about them that fasci
mates and educates even in casual, leis
urely turning of the leaves, which, b
the way, Is no small point in their favor
since even public school children are do
Ing so much now days in the way c
sketches, poses and illustrations. I kno'
just how Mabel and Grace will revel j
them and their rooms be transforme
riIyi1n inc
at this formative age to be able to sur
round child with the quiet, voiceles
suggestive influences that tend to re
finement and culture. And isn't it ger
uine pleasure in this day Of much book
making to know that the lost art Of book
binding shows now and again evidence
revival. These for their purpose an
their services I'm sure will satisfy th
most eXacting and the most fastidiou
Yet not in all this lies their chiefes
charm. 1t Is the charm of originate
In the plan and purpose, and the mag
nitude of the enterprise that is absolutel
overwhelming me. In my humb
judgment, my dear, the man whose min
conceived and brought forth into real
zatfon such gigantic literary organise
should appear in conspicuous place
the pages Of this work that are devote
to distinguished American thinkers an
public benefactors.
Surely it is a new departure in bool
making While evidently profting by tt
excellent qualities of acceptable kindrt
publications In many respects it SUI
passes any of the kind ha,
ever known in college, home
library as the electric car surpass,
the old mule-power one. Yet you ca
get no adequate idea by comparison f
this is just one Of those things in kee
Ing with the day and the age when o.
mind more aotive@than the ordinary shoe
up above Its companions and preserv
and presents to the world in a new for
the eternal truths-the immortal tru
that never can grow old-the truth tn
Ito know shall make thee free"
For once the old time onored alph
betical and chronological order of thin
Is displaced. Plain, logical sequence, CO
tinuity, unity and common sense ha
the right of way. Nor does the magr
tude destroy the proportion and syl
metry, the perspective is good, the esse
tials standing out boldly in the fol-
ground; the nonessentials are proper
subordinated and with some merci
half-tones and shadows there unmistak
The title Consolidated Encyclope,
Library" as / have already indicate
came not by chance but was chosen for
Significance. If have succeeded in ma
ing you understand the work as an
ganized unity, then you understand
first principles of consolidation. 1t is {
cyclopedic but it Is more than an emf
clopedia 1t is like an encyclopedia
that it treats many points and discuss
many subjects, but differs from an ent