New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-09
Manufacturers Seek Facts
on Articles Formerly
Made Abroad.
INQUIRIES RANGEF FROM
DOLLS TO MINING
Report for 1915 States That
More than 100000
Books We're Lent.

Manufacturers in the United States
are now taking an interest in indus
tries formerly confined almost solely
10 European countries. The report Of
the New York Public Library for 1915
shows that many Investigators have been
studying the opportunities FOR new in
dustries. especially in coal tar and
petroleum products. There has been a
great demand for information on me
chanical toys, dolls and Christmas tree
ornaments, for which the market here
has relied on importations from Ger
many.
Inquiries have been made concerning
the cost Of mining potash IN Germany
the durability OF iron telegraph wire
the thermal use Of petroleum from
Oklahoma oil wells, the French stand
ard gauge for nails and the American
equivalent, the effect OF slkali on con
crete, the method Of spinning asbestos
the machinery for the manufacture OF
automobile radiators, the relative eff
cheney of steel, aluminium and wood in
the manufacture Of seroplanes, and
methods for dyeing motion picture
films.
Ballet Starts Russian Research.
The production Of the Russian Ballet
was followed by many queries about
Russian art and music The prcsenta-
ton Of the opera Prince Igor" re
suited m research work By the critics
Of many musical publications.
The committee appointed by the
MAYOR for the reception OF the At
lantic fleet in 1915 found useful ma
terial in the newly formed manuscript
division Of the library. IN this de-
uartment students have sought infor-
nation about obscure points OF state
and national history. Other inquiries
in the department related 70 the IN
PRODUCTION Of shorthand systems IN the
state Of New York, the history OF the
typewriter. and the history Of journal
ism in the United States. Miniature
painters have used il 70 examine illu-
minated manuscript Of Europe and the
Orient
The municipal reference department
in the Municipal Building, compara-
lively new branch OF the library. mas
come "a be consulted as compendium
of general knowledge. Questions such
as what is the best book on hospital
construction ." How many miles or
paved and unpaved streets are there IN
New York City?" and In order 20
secure p marriage license does one
need 10 take q birth certificate 10 tn
marriage license bureau ~ pour into
this branch each day over the te.e-
phone or from callers.
Humor at Loan Branch.
Ar the interbranch loan Office, whore
books are sent from one branch 70 the
other in response 10 requests or read
ers. great Imagination Is often neces-
sary 20 know Just what book the appli-
cant wishes. One reader asked for a
copy OF "Jones's Haste" and 1t was
found that he wanted Rider Haggarc's
"Joan Haste" Another asked Tor
"Lisping OF Scripture" when he wanted
Scriptures book on defective speech
Suffering and Lisping."
An application card, on which was
written "Chase Beatrice Through :
Dartmoor Window" was sent m with
no humorous intent. The reader had
merely copied what he saw or the
catalogue card: Chase, Beatrice OIL.
Through z Dartmoor Window"
In 1915 the library and its branches
lent lO.3o4.519 books, the largest num-
ber ever sent out by any library. This
represents d decided increase over the
preceding year, and. based ON the
latest estimate Of population. means q
circulation of "a per capita