The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-15
LIBRARY
OF THREE LEADING RESIDENTS OF TOWN GIVEN
 TO FARMER
Especial to The Farmer.>


 Stratford Oct. 1.-The recent criti-
 cisn by a few residents in Stratford
 of the operation of the local library monious discussion here, to wheth-
 CT or not partiality, class-favorftisrn
 or invidious distinction in the distri-
 button of books as well as unfair
 trea tment Of the working classes, has been practiced or sanctioned by those
 directly in charge.
 While the ebullition occasioned by
 the unexpected attack of some of the library patrons upon it's management at one time threatened to overflow the cauldron, the waters of public sentiment have somewhat sfmmered down and the concensus of public ex- pressiOn today resolves itself into the beI1ef that while class-distinction and favoritisrn may have possibly crept towards some personal friends of sub ordinates whose services have been gratuttous1y rendered the library, it is not probable that any designed mat tention or unfair distinction in the distribution of popular fiction is the general practice.
 It is further advocated on behalf of the incumbents under fire. by those ing necessitated by the lack of ade- Quate funds with which to duplicate duplicate or trip1icate copies of best seHers''- on the part of those not aware of the rule requiring their names being entered upon the waiting list of applicants for particu- lar novels-may have been the un1r- tentional cause of misconstruction up on their part, with the resulting be- lief in a system of favortdsm. And yet there are some among the patrons who firmly believe UAat such methods have been in vogue.
 In justice to Miss Frances B. Rus sell. whose absence at this moment is particularly inopportune, The Farmer favorable impression of few of leading residents present ed in 9 non-partisan spirit:
 Judge Howard J. Curtis said: I have taken particular interest in the operation of our library and am fain to believe that Miss Russell could not courtesy and attention to everybody, fires spectiye of their position in the Miss Russell has endeared herself in the hearts of the people here. She is a faithful, kind hearted, i and sympathetic woman and I am 1isinclined to believe that under her direction any atnosphere could have would be inimical to the interests of any class. It is possible, however, l hat a laborer or mechanic entering 1 night have felt awkward. but I am jure that such feeling would not be ,ngendered by anything said to him ,y those in charge. as to me such an II
 Miss Catherine Bunnell, when asked IS to her Knowledge Of conditions Sa1d- u T am sure Miss Russell would pot ondone any partiaIity in the distrf- 'ution of much-sought-fo literature
 believe that any misapprehenSIOn which may have arisen upon this sub ect has been precipitated by the long waits which we have all been. put to " the scarcity of books, due to mad quate funds with which to purchase uplicates of the most popular novels he appropriation of 1000 which has eretofore been made is very small 1hen one considers the expenses con ingent upon the payment of the H- rarian's salary, which is really not lore than would be earned in fac ory( about "A cents per hour), the laintenance of the building, grounds nd purchase of books. She has been
 very devoted servant to the library nd woman most catholic in her astes, so that can hardly credit the ossip which has been prevalent to the fleet that an atmosphere uncongen- E Il to the masses has been fosted un- CT her direction