Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Agitation for the erection Of build
ing for the accommodation Of the
va Library Of Congress
Library OK continued for number
ConOress Of years before the
0V"sAeSe' work was finally pro-
vided for by legislation. Numerous
sites for the structure were suggested.
The following in The Star Of Deem
Der a., 1880, shows that Judiciary
Square was at one time seriously con-
sidered as the proper placement for the
Library:
"The parties who are contending for
the location of the new Congressional
Library Building on Capitol Hill In
sisted before the congressional COM
mittee that it would cost at least $780,
900 to establish q good foundation for
the proposed building in judiciary
Square. Senator Voorhees,, chairman Of
the committee, requested Gen. Wright,
chief Of the Army Engineer Corps, and
Col. Casey to examine the ground and
report as to whether there will be any
difficulty in getting a foundation in the
center of Judiciary Square. This was
done and a report was sent to the
committee, but the Capitol Hill parties
insist that this report merely set forth
that . foundation could be obtained in
the square without taking into con-
Stderation the question Of cost. This
report was, In fact, submitted by Col.
Casey, and it stated that an examinA-
ton Of the portion Of judiciary Square
proposed as the site for Q congressional
library building, 800 feet by $50 feet.
does not disclose any feature that would
necessarily demand an extraordinary
and safe foundation for the building
contaminated
Gen. B. q. Wright, chief Of the
Engineer Corps, Endorsed this report,
which is certainly specific enough to
set at rest all question as to the sort
of foundation TO be had in Judiciary
Square. The committee in selecting q
site for the proposed building gave the
subject thorough consideration. They
took q broad and national view Of the
subject - that the great collection Of
books now stored in the Capitol should
not any longer be considered as . con-
gressional but as a national library.
The growth of the Library in the past
has been rapid, and In future years it
will increase in a greater ratio. The
committee had in view the selection OF
a central location for the new building,
one that would be easily accessible not
only to residents of Washington but to
the thousands of visitors who annually
come here; also q site that would afford
room for the extension of the library
building in coming years to meet the
growing wants of the country. In all
their labors the committee freely con-
suited Librarian Spofford, who for eight
years has urged not only credttable
library building but an enlargement OF
the scope, purposes and character Of
the library to accord with the greatness
of our country.
by locating the building in Judiciary
Square there will be ample room to add
to it to meet further requirements. 1t
will be accessible to all sections of the
city. One purpose is then to keep the
library open at night, which cannot be
done while it remains In the Capitol.
Then Government employees and visi-
tors, as well as residents, can after
business hours not only enjoy its read
ing rooms but obtain such books as
they desire. Should 1t be located on
Capitol Hill the danger is that the old
ideas In regard to the Library will pre-
vail that 1t Is library for Congress,
and all regulations will be made upon
that theory. Besides, there Is no site on
the Hill that will give room for such
building as is contemplated, with
ground adjoining for future extensions.
From every consideration .1e con-
nittee decided in favor Of Judiciary
Square, and Mr.. Spoford conceded
In this decision. The idea Il to make
the new library . national institution,
on Q scale to meet the wants Of this
great country.
an the rooms ct the Capitol at
present occupied by the Library q full
assortment Of books Of reference, cover
ing all that Congress is Hkely to need
will be kept, with a competenh librarian
in charge AS to the use of books at
home the location in Judiciary Square
will be as convenient to members of
Congress as to everybody else. mere
are 90 many reasons in favor Of 9Ju-
diciaFy square that but few outside Of
residents Of Capitol Hill are opposed 70