Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-05
John K. BRANCH LEADS
LIBRARY OPPOSITION
Tells Finance Committee City Needs
Sewers and Sidewalks
First.
PREposTERoUs, SAYS CLARKE
Representatives OF Many Associa-
tions Urge Action by City to
Supply Long-Felt Need-Dr. Bowie
Outlines Plan of Advocates.

John Kerr Branch, president OF the
Merchants National Bank. and Captain
Frank Smith. The ncripatctic phi!oso-
pher of Capitol square. We're the only
two persons who sounded protests
against the foundation Of Il free public
library when the Council Committee
on Finance allowed an open hearing on
this matter at 4 special meeting last
night
Arrayed against these in favor of the
project were Or. Henry Il. Mcllwaine,
librarian of the State Library; DIR. i.
\. G. Chandler. superintendent of
Schools: Rev. W. Russell Bowie. ID. D..
rector of 81. IaulS Episcopal Church;
Captain \. Is. tuieon, attorney: y. Il.
Clarke. business man: Rev. j. Francis
Ribble. rector of ST. Andrews Episco-
pal Church, and others.
Mr.. Branchs arguments In opposi-
tion TO the movement were answered
by most OF the speakers. while Captain
Smith had barely touched upon the
subject at issue when Chairman
GrundY was compelled to ask him 20
confine his remarks to the matter he
fore tho committee, and he retired.
ADVOCATES OF LIBRARY
ARE OUT IN FORCE
Advocates OF the library were out
in force There were present more
than 100 men and women, representing
the Social Service Federation. Young
Men he prev ASSOCIATION, council OIL
Jewish Women, Equal Suffrage League.
Highland Park Citizens Association.
Rotary Club. Central Trades and Labor
Council, Civic Association. North Rich
1nond Citizens Association. John Mar
shall Night High School Library AS
ISOLATION. Young Mems Progressive AS
ISOLATION, Recrcations and Play
grounds Association. Secondary Teach
ers' association. Nurses settlement
Bureau of Vacations for Women, Office
Workers Association and the Machin-
lists Union.
DR.. Bowie, as chairman Of "a co.
operative committee, composed Of mem
bers Of the various bodies interested.
led In the fight To impress upon the
committee the Importance OF the
Establishment of 81 public library. The
hearing was upon the Haddon rcsoiu-
ton which would appropriate $4,000
TO found library. tho fund 10 nc sup
plementcd BY annual appropriations.
BOWIE OUTLINES
PLAN FOR LIBRARY
Just what his committee was aiming
at was briefly outlined by br. Bowie.
I'VE are not asking" he said. for All
appropriation with which to build a
huge building and TO purchase books
10 quarter in ii. We arc asking that
YOU recommend 10 the Council the APP
preparation Of $4,000 to enable a
library board or committee, which,
cvcr You will, TO rent quarters. pay
an experienced librarian and TO use tho
remainder TO purchase books. Further
our plan is 10 corrclate the Rosemary
Library. now I'm the John Marshall
High School and the Grace Arents lii
brary. Thus, would work with
one system. provide reading rooms in
All public schools and different dis
tricts. each 10 he fed from the central
library"
Or. Bowie here explained what had
been ACCOMPLISHED by the public Ii
brary in Washington. aside from the
work done by tho Congressional Lii
brary. lie pointed To this condition az
similar TO that obtaining in Richmond
on account of the State Library.
AS soon as we imagine that the
state Library can fulhll the functions
OF city library VIC create a jealousy
throughout other sections of the State
and the result Is that the Legislature
cuts down the appropriation for the
library. This is due TO the fact that
the State Library cannot serve the
rural sections. and their representatives
do not feel that the taxpayers Of the
commonwealth should bear the burden
locality"
"A library" said DF. Chandler. lis
essential TO eyfr%. Continuity that de-
.fres 10 secure culture. The only way
in the world to &C, books into circu
V.
The Rosemary Library does good, but
limited, work do hopo that tho city
VIII see that IL Is a part OF it's cduca-
Iional system 10 possess Il public IL
nrary- Richmond is the only city that
know OF which has n population of
more Than 100000 people and has no
public library. 1t IS one Of few above
10000 in population which has no such
institution"
J. G. Duke. Of the John Marshall
3,
lion; j. }. Wicker Jr.. OF the Young
Mems Progressive Association; pr. u
II. Anderson. Of the civic Associations
hnd II. T. Bcwdcn and IL. r. Colvin. Of
the Central Trades and Labor Conucil
were among others who spoke in be-
half OF the plan as outlined BY DR.
Bowie
letter written by MIR. Branch in
opposition 10 the granting Of the an
precipitation was read, and Captain
aSmith followed with his remarks which
Grundy.
MIR. BRANCH SPEAKS
~ OPPOSITION
As no one else appeared IN opposl
t!on 10 tho appropriation, pr !3ow;c
stated that he would introduce ma
ndditionhi sneaker 10 reply to NIr
,orahch. Lhi!i THIS time the banker
mad remained quiet when he uskod
she privilege Of the floor TO nnnl,fv
his letter. ''''''''|
am not here opposing tho lllrar,. +"
; ne SAID. y am simply here npposipc
:. an APPROPRIATION by the CIV - IL
Th'e. am sure that you gentlemen
{ OF m" committee realize tiHr thor.
must come Il time when YOU mus, 49,,
no. no matter how worthy TIA. c.,,.S
There are people living In this cIt,,
Mpo nave no sidewalks Or gu;toring.
Under tho impetus Of public o,,ir5..