The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-19


visions Of the new rolling stock law, and is
velvet SO 10 speak, in that II Is not especially
needed for any other purpose at this time, and
could be used to no better purpose than that
for which the Haddon resolution provides
The Ttrointan urges every citizen who is in
terested In securing a public library TO be on
hand tonight and make that desire emphatically
known to the members of the finance COM
mittee The time to strike is while the iron
is hot, and this is positively tine first best bet
for getting a library. and getting 1t quick. that
has yet been presented.
II the council will appropriate $4,000 for
The purchase OF the building, the Rotary Club OF
Richmond has offered to raise as much money as
may he necessary TO equip the library with fur
rilure, fittings and books, There could be no
fairer proposition than that
Furthermore the Richmond College authori.
ties have offered, ia the event that the city de-
cides upon some arrangements for library in
the course OF year or two. to take the build
ing oil their hands at the price paid for it.
Nothing could be fairer than that
il lIf wy duluti ttitS utCtdcd III S1diS w
come upon another library site. the letter
memorial property could be sold at a great in
crease over the purchase price as property in
that neishborhood is constantly enhancing in
value. Recently portion Of this property was
sold to a private citizen. at 5000 front foot, SO
there can be no claim on the part of the city
that the owners Of the property are holding up
the city
As We previously contended the letter memorial
hall would make an ideal library for the present,
ished In the proposed municipal building on the
Ford property. the Jeter building would still be
needed as branch library for the West End
Many of the solid, substantial commercial and
educational organizations OF Richmond are be,
hind the movement. Representatives of the fol,
lowing organizations viii appear before the fl.
nance committee tonight TO ask for the approval
OF the 1Iaddon resolution: Business Mems club.
Richmond Advertising club, Mothers club
chamber Of commerce. Richmond Educational
association. Rotary club, Central Trades and
Labor Council.
A member OF the finance committee is re-
ported having said to a member of the Rotary
club tho other day that. personally. he not
In favor Of this movement to secure free
library, bat II the people wanted It, and it was
proven to him that the people did want It, he
was open 70 conviction The man who would
oppose a big. progressive civic movement such
rs this. Is not the sort Of man Richmond wants
j IN It's city council. Anyhow. the non-progressive
will be convinced tonight that Richmond people
want q library and they want 1t NOW
There must be playing of politics In this
matter 1T IS not political question. could
oven the most astute ward heeler politics
into It. 1t IS throbbing, live civic question
and one that must be answered nov. There
are a thousand and one reasons why Richmond
should have public library if any person can
present and sensible reason against it,
The virgintan will make that person hand
some gift
Business men, bankers. educators. men of every
walk of life are in favor of this proposition
which gives Richmond an opportunity to get
library now. practically without cost to the city
we nave Hdu tiIcu&A TALK AUuut VARIOUS anu
sundry schemes. many OF them chimericaI This
one is practicable and Immediately available.
1t has been and Is Richmonds shame that il
is the only city in the country anywhere near
It's population that is without public library
1t Is UP 10. the city council to remove that
stigma. II has a glorious opportunity.
VIII 1t take advantage of ii? We hope and
believe 1t will.