Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-16

siderable distance to travel, but we
have met gratifying sympathy and
support in Congress, especially in the
Gibson subcommittee.
What we ought to have here is a
model public library system which
visitors and tourists would inspect for
suggestions and methods TO adopt
back home. But in Il list Of 80 cities
of 200, 900 population and more Wash
ington, while twelfth in population. is
next to the bottom in the number of
branches On the side of maintenance
Washington's per capita in 1926 was
only ~ cents, compared with the
minimum standard of 81 per capita
set up by the American Library Asso-
citation, which, by the WAY, is exceeded
in several other cities.
In addition to the 1 branch library
buildings we are asking Congress to
provide at a cost of 81, 250, 000 to bring
Washington nearer par, we plan 10
or more branch libraries in schools,
mainly in the suburbs. There would
be two downtown branches in Federal
buildings one perhaps i'll the new
building for the District Government.
''Twenty-odd years ago the demands
upon the library were So per cent for
fiction Now the demand for educa,
tional and 'bread-and-butter' literature
is so per cent indicating that the con-
y
highest intellectually in the United
states There is need of charging our
central building. which is overrun
with both books and readers. and this
could be done by the completion of the
rectangle.
Committee Is Encouraging.
r was greatly heartened by the at
titude of Chairman. Gibson and the
members of his subcommittee in
stressing the need of developing
washington's soul while the material
side is being so handsomely provided
for in the building program. We must
not neglect the cultural side of the
National Capital, Chairman Gibson
declared, in planning for a magnificent
city. The libraries are a vital part in
this concept.
Great orga nizations like. the Ma
tional Education Association and the
American Library Association recog-
nize- the Importance Of having a model
library system in the National Capt.
tai to eNemplify the best American
methods. We should furnish kind
OF laboratory for library administra
tive practices, and effect a closer con
nection between the library and the
schools At present, lack of funds and
space. force us to lag behind some
other cities.
There is every prospect of realizing
the President hope of Washington
as a, world center of literature. More
over, there is no reason why Wash
ins-ton should not be a great publish
ing center. This is an industry which
probably could be developed without
giving the city a commercial atmos-
phere In the National Geographic
Magazine and other perlodicais we
have a good start in that field, while
n1,hli charS ultimately should
come to Washington.
Pounding out 20 years here as IL
brarian, believe we are on the
threshold of a great development.
President Coolidge undoubtedly has
given an impetus to the cultural side
of Washington that is beyond praise
Mrs. Rinehart Looks Ahead.
1.-THE capitals of all great countries,
saws Mrs. Rinehart, eventually draw
TO them alt that is representative
among the people of those countries.
Originated as seats of government, In
time they find themselves the centers
of culture as Well. This has always
been. SO, and there is every reason to
believe that the. Washington of the
future will follow innumerable prec-
edents.
THAT this movement has only re-
Gently become prom ounced is because
Washington has only since the war
ceased to be a comparatively small
city Now that it is growing in size
and in beauty, it has more to offer in
diversified contacts and in interest.
S'he arts require support, local as well
as general. The writer must have
background
NATURALLY l believe that Washing
ton will become, and that before very
long, an important literary center.
Possibly the center of the country,
SO far the production of literary
material is concerned. There, is
every inducement for writing peo-
ple to come here. The charm
the stimulating contacts all provide
the background of which ] speak.
There is even leisureliness of life,
provided one is not caught too inn
peratively into the social life.
Close to Literary Market.
Again, Washington is within easy
distance of New York, which is the
authors market for his wares. For
writers are not only authors, but
must be in business as well. But the
real inducement to the professional
writer lies quite beyond either the
comfort and beauty of the Capital
as a residence or it's accessibility from
he publishing center.
CitleS nave Vol tudAh%u via az
teristics. Some are commercial, some
are industrial; others are based on
oil or mining or agriculture for their
prosperity. Practically all American
cities are materialistic in outlook, self
centered, more or less localized.
But Washington is none of these.
1t is commercial only in the sense
of satisfying the needs of its citizens.
1t can never be localized, drawing as
It does from every State in the Union
and every country on the globe. And
1t looks out, not in. It deals with
affairs and ideas; sometimes even
with ideals. And these affairs and
ideas are concerned with the affairs
and ideas of the rest of the world
The question of actual material
aside, although actual material lies
here in abundance, this breadth of
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