The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-05
LARGE DELEGATIONS

Continued From First Page.)
velop out of the proposed library plan.
was a social necessity, and that chill
dren cannot secure at this time the
necessary number OF books" He re-
called the fact that Richmond Is the
only city In this country of 10000
population or more that has not
public library and that there are
but few cities OF 10000 or more that
lack these facilities.
Along the same thought a number
of citizens spoke. Jesse c. Duke, rep
resenting the John Marshall Night
Hight School, claimed that the ambi-
tious young people of the city who
really need books and want them,
heartily endorse the proposition be-
fore the committee. John J. Wicker,
Jr.. speaking for the Young Mems
Progressive Association, Of the eastern
part OF the city, said that 1t was re-
Election on the city to be compelled
to tell visitors that there is no public
library here.
Iaboring Men Want It.
In behalf of the laboring men of
Richmond, r. T. Bowden, represent
ing the Central Trades and Labor
Council OF some 10000 union men.
stated that his people had delegated
him to say that they needed such
library. and endorsed the movement.
II. r. Colvin. from the Painters and
Paperhangers, expressed the same
views, and declared that a public
library 10 the working man would be
what a university Is to the sons OF
the rich.
Representatives from the Social
Service Federation, the Young Mems
Hebrew Association, Nurses Settle
ment, Council of Jewish Women.
Equal Suffrage Lea que, Civic Associa-
ton. Recreations and Fairgrounds As
ISOLATION, Highland Park Citizens As
soctation. Rotary Club. North Rich
mond Citizens League, Secondary
Teachers Association. Office Workers
Union and Machinists' Union were rep
resented. among others.
Branch Opposes Measure.
When those in favor of the PROPOSE
ton had spoken their views, very in
tense opposition TO the proposed
library was found. Following an
eloquent speech by Frank Smith, in
which he plead earnestly with the
committee TO kill the measure, John
X. Branch appeared in support OF a
letter which he had written the COM
mittee asking that the library appro-
priation be rejected. Mr.. Branch said
that the business men of Richmond
those who rode to the business section
each day and handled the commercial
AFFAIRS of the city, did not favor the
proposition. and that they were not
on hand at the meeting with the large
delegation who wished to have the
appropriation passed.
He ridiculed the idea that Rich
mond citizens should come TO the
committee and ask for money with
which to do this work ''People-sixty
strong--living here he said, many
years without guttering. without side
walks, without sewers ask you,
which Is needed worst? These things
or a public library? s6,00o.0o0 will
be required TO provide sewer facili-
ties for the annexed territory. enough
sewers to keep away pestilence. What
good is learning without health?
don't believe this supposed demand
for a library Is real. or it would
have been attended to before. Bust
ness men OF this community do not
endorse this movement. Why don't
the citizens OF Richmond give some
thing-don't always ask for some
thing II we can come here every
time we want something. and get IT
by asking for It. we might as we'll
stop work"
Captain Guigon, we'll known at
torney. concluded the arguments in
behalf of the library, after A. b.
Clarke, OF the Rotary Club, insisted
that the business men, contrary to
the views of Mr.. Branch, were highly
in favor of the library proposition.
asked. who would dare raise his
voice against the public schools. the
beginnings of education? 1t is the
reading of good books that is neces-
sary to complete this work"
Mr.. Branchs very decided opposition
on the question. grows out OF a re-
view OF the condition OF the city's af-
fairs just at this time. When the re-
cent annexation proceedings were in
stituted. an area was added to the
city's territory which Is claimed by
many persons now to have been "a
bigger bite than the city can easily
chew" 1t Is a well-known fact that
the state of Richmond's finances has
reached decidedly low ebb. and that
an almost incalculable amount of
money will be required to give citi-
Gems OF the new territory the facilities
that are absolutely necessary. Ger
tain parts of the city at the present
are almost wholly without sidewalks.
sewers. and In some places. electric
lights. The appropriation for the IL
brary asked. while comparatively
small amount In itself. must necessar-
lily be greatly increased in the near
future and as the system grows the
demand on the city treasury Will grow.
For this reason. as well as Tor other
reasons. many persons. none or whom
hut realize the great advantages of
education and OF wide reading. oppose
the library measure as conditions are
just now.
Shot To Death I'm Taxi.
Brookline, Mass, Jan. AIS a re-
nalt Of q shooting in taxi-cab here
tonight, Mildred Melxian. nineteen
years old. Of No. 81 Union Road.