Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-13

There is an ancient Latin proverb
which might well be placarded above
the barrel or box which Is found now
in conspicuous places-put there to
catch the books which are being gath
cred for the sailors upon the Seven Seas
sailors of the United States Merchant
Marine particularly. 1t says:
ITO collect rare books Is splendid
distinction; but it Is more useful
thing, often, to turn over one book"
Within the last few days, reports
have come across the ocean giving
prices paid at auctions in London, as
high as $4,000 for the original manu-
script of some famous book. The
chances are that the surfeited million
are will lock his paper treasure in a
burglar-proof vault and never think OF
reading it. The nouveau richie fur-
nishes great libraries with unopened
books having bindings to match his
other bric-a- brac. He is like child in
roomful of cake or candy-so over
supplied that he eats nothing. How
many generous souls who, having read
a book and enjoyed it, then passed it
along to the "neighbor" who has no
supply of books, has ever realized that
his act is above that of the man who
INDUCES a hobby for $4,000 manu-
scripts? At that rate, to give away 20
good books makes the giver million
aire.
X X y
The reading habit is an acquired
taste and there are families in WASH
ington whose homes do not possess a
single book or magazine. Yet, such
families-especially the producer of the
food and raiment-would be intensely
interested if given book which would
discuss the common interests and con-
Germs of his own life-how to increase
the daily income or excite the imagi-
nation within the limits of comprehen-
sion. So the sailor who, upon long
voyages, in fair weather, has many
weary hours of idleness, has discovered
that hours fly more pleasantly when
there is interesting reading matter ac-
cessible.
AS a captain of ship wrote to the
promoters of marine libraries, the books
are needed to keep the men from dis
putting and quarreling in their idle
hours-if for no other reason.
The enterprise of gathering books
for the bookless sailors dates back to
the beginning of our entry into the
World War, when sympathetic patriots
gathered reading matter for the soldiers
in camps and hospitals. At the head
of that work was Mrs. Henry Howard,
very wealthy lady of New York.
whose fortune did not lessen her patri-
otism. She interested scores OF others
and they carried on vigorous and use
full work of book gathering and dis
tributing, until the American Library
Association, through which most of the
work was being carried on, announced
that since the war was over, the work
of book distribution should cease.
But Mrs. Howard was soon recalled
and asked to take charge OF the work
Of gathering books for the sailors OF
the Shipping Boards Merchant Marine.
Now work is developed so that almost
/ 900 American ships are so supplied
with travelling libraries IN
literal sense.
Each ship is given box OF about 10
books when 1t leaves our port, and these
are returned and exchanged for an
equal number for the next voyage. In
addition, they are given many maya
zines which they are not required to re-
suIs or sailors in foreign ports. Vessels
on the Great Lakes, lighthouses ana
the Coast Guard are similarly supplied.
Last year 258, 488 books were loaned to
1,776 vessels.
The overhead expenses of the work
are largely borne by individual subscrlp-
tions of members of the Merchant Ma
rine Library Association, including 1000
sailors and 1000 landlubbers. who
gladly accept membership and feel
greater self-esteem when they help
pay for their benefits.
- = =
Here in washington there Is a little
coterie Of public-spirited citizens who
are giving attention to furthering the
local gathering of gifts Of books from
private homes. They include Mrs. Glib
son Fahnestock, president; Mrs. Robert
Whitney Irnbrie, vice president, and
Miss Dorothy Sellers, secretary, with the
following on Athe board Of directors:
Right Rev. James r. Freeman, Bishop
Of Washington; Right Rev. James j.
Ryan: Rev. Charles Wood, D. D., Mrs.
William Howard Taft. wife OF the Chief
Justice: Mr.. Frank B. Noyes, president
81 The Evening Star, and several other
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