The Washington herald., 1921-08-28
The Public Library.

bia are m position wholly unique in this
country. They govern large city With re-
sponsbility to no one, and authority other than
their own wills and good judgment. In one way
they are to be envied by other city rulers and in
another their position is far from enviable. They
do not have to keep an eye on the next election,
listen patiently to men who control punches of
votes. On the other hand they have no measure of
the commendaton disapproval of what they do
and of their policies
The thing Washington lacks is public
opinion. There is none because there is no means
for its expression. 1t has been long without this
means, that public opinion has died of its lack
Of enforced Petitions and resolutions are not
public opinion. They are known to- represent
usually but the opinion of few. But SO far as
these have value they support large appropriation
for the Public Library and material expansion of
its facilities for usefulness.
The Public Library is good deal like every
bodys business which is nobodys especial interest.
If it was street. there would be those with
personal interest to plug" for it. But only 10000
people of the District, representing probably 100000
of its population use the library. The rest use the
Congressional Library and represent the favored
minority. So no one is especially interested to
make life miserable for the Commissioners to
persistenty appeal to them in behalf of the library.
Yet its needs great and pressing. Its value
is beyond question Its usefulness is second only to
that Of the schools and the schools depend upon it
as a necessity. So far as petitions and resolutions
count, the library has these from very many or
carnations, and, for the asking, get them from
all So far they go, they have been voluntary,
unsolicited action. Washington should not have a
halfway library, good-enough library facilities.
II II is to have the right kind of citizenship the
right kind of schools, the right mental habits and
outlook among the young and old, it must bring
library usefulness within the reach the easy and
almost compelling reach, of everyone.
The Public Library is well organized and we'll
managed 1t is organized for the limit of useful
ness and for comparatively easy expansion. 1t not
only needs, but must have more money. Its splen-
did staff we have never seen better, is hanging
them. 1t has had to use money appropriated for
new books, to pay current expenses. 1t is lament
ably short in current book supply; it is almost
hopeless to try to get recent book-nonhcton or
hction-which is popular. 1t is closed when it
should be open. No public library should ever be
, closed during any day evening. These are but
high lights, of needs, outside of branches and for
broader school
The Herald has complete confidence in the
Commissioners. We know something OF their dif-
fculties common in all cities, and the endless de-
mands for money. But city do without most
other things better than without the best OF schools
and the best of libraries, which the basis of
good citizenship If there public opinion here
capable of measurement ascertainment, 1t GER
tainly would indorse even that horror of horrors,
an increase in taxation if there other way
to get proper support in adequate funds for the
library.