Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-30

+ "MelvlI Dewey" I
@#**#~@#x#*~* s.sFs@ss
Melvil Dewey, guest of honor at
reception given by the friends of Miss
Jones at the Womans club house last
evening, uttered these words. Promi-
nent men and women of Los Angeles
who gathered to hear him made the
walls resound with applause.
The hostesses were there in charm
ing gowns, Mrs. H. T. Lee, Mrs. Wesley
Clark, Mrs. Owen McAleer, Mrs. Mar
garet Collier Graham, Mrs. Fred Baker,
Mrs. G. H. Wadleigh, Mrs. H. B. Wing,
Mrs. Ella Enderlein, Mrs. Boynton and
Miss Fanny Wills.
Guests of Honor
The honored guests were Melvil
Dewey of Albany, N. Y. librarian of
the state library and head of the AL
bany Training School for Librarians;
DIR. Robinson Mrs. A H. Jackson, Miss
E. P. Chase Of Pittsburg, Miss Russell
and Miss Wilson of Alliance. Men
escorts were there in evening dress,
and Charles Lummis also was there In
his green corduroys.
Melvil Dewey, the man who is known
throughout educational circles as one
Of the most eminent of judges on all
subjects pertaining to Libraries, delved
into the Los Angeles library problem
despite the presence of the green cor
duroys.
'I am glad Mr.. Lummis is here to-
night said Mr.. Dewey. ST am glad,
Mr.. Lummis, that you may hear what
have to say. l feel that the library
question is one which you cannot afford
to have a local matter. Libraries are
the most necessary factor for educa-
ton, and when the system is still
young principles are being laid down
which will affect the whole of Amer
lea and, in fact, the educated world.
Fears Politics
politics should never be allowed to
enter into such case and 1 fear they
have entered in this case. 1t may only
be one man but one fly will spoil
whole pot of ointment. There is some
element here which ought to be elm
mated. A politician must not NEEDLE
with libraries or schools.
IT can not help thinking there is only
one decision which the people of Los
Angeles will give. 1t is impossible to
feel that a city like this will allow a
decision to go forth which will leave
a stain on it's name for years.
THE Los Angeles public library has
been laboring under many disadvan-
tages and in spite of this it has been
doing some of the best work done in
America. Is it possible that such could
be the case unless the librarian was the
right one for the place? Three places
have asked if it would be possible to
get Miss Jones and her friends need
fear nothing as she is known all over
the country as one of the most efficient
of librarians.
some of the best Librarians in the
country are women. They are less sell
fish than men, more sympathetic and
more tactful."
Lummls Replies
Before the program could be carried
ON Mr.. Lummis stepped out on the
floor.
''I have not been invited to speak.
don't need to ask a hearing, for
know it will be given me-" said Mr..
Lummis, putting his hands in his coat
pockets and looking angrily at the au-
dienee "I am not trained librarian,
but am not alone in believing that the
greatest efficiency cannot be obtained
from the trained librarian
II have the misfortune to know
something-som little some-
thing about books. but I'm going to
try to serve the library conscientious
ly as well as can; yes, just as well
as 1 can"
Women Leave a
Here two women on the front row
OF seats rose and, resenting the speak
ar's manner and tone Of Mr.. Lummis
swept out of the room,
"How many women are there at the
head of big Libraries of over $4,000 vol
umes in this country" Mr.. Lummis in
quired
Here Judge Mckinley, the chairman
rose and said; Il cannot permit you
to cross-examine this gentleman whC
has come here as our guest"
II will have to question the gentle
mans statistics" Mr.. Lummis contin'
ued. Il could tell facts, facts, ladies
and gentlemen, but ! win not here.
could say many things that scholars