The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-16

j.
cleus OF a library for use Of the ma
tional legislators at washington, the
Library Of Congress has accumulate
ed the greatest collection OF books u
the world. Not in their thousand
years and more of collecting have 9TH
|er great libraries gathered more than
has this institution, established IN the
new world by a people once regard
ed by Europe as half barbaric. With
its 7,75O,0O0 printed books, pamphlets,
maps, engravings, and other articles,
the library now exceeds the collec-
lions Of the British Museum and the
Bibliotheque Rationale, the great IL
braries which for centuries have lur-
ed scholars to London and Paris to
find the lore OF the world.
Established as = convenience Tor
members Of congress, the library has
become university for the people.
The learned scholar, bent with por-
ing over reconcile tones, the eager
schoolboy finding his first astonish-
ing vistas, the keen technician, the
romantic adventurer into the fields
Of literature, and even the blind man
with sensitive, Braille-taught fingers,
all find journeys end on these shelves.
Congress in 1900 appropriated 5000
for the Library Of Congress: 1t is now
appropriating more than 100000
annually for its maintenance. The
original library was housed until
1897 in the capitol itself where 1t SUI
fered from two fires, the first caused
by the British invasion Of 1914, when
5000 volumes were destroyed, and the
second In 1851, In which two-thirds
of Jefferson's collection was burned.
leaving in all only 10000 volumes out
Of the $1,000 to which 1t had grown.
The library quarters became greatly
overcrowded and after Is years Of
debate, congress appropriated $780,
600 for an independent structure.
This grew and grew In planning un-
til q building was constructed con-
tanning II acres Of floor space-as
much in cubic contents as the Capt.
toll itself-the total costing 1884,, 900
in addition to the $585, 900 paid for
the city square as the site. About
$2,500000 more has been expended on
additions. ,' ., 800 =
In 1894, congress began an annex
to the main library, on the city block
to the east Of the original building
where q site was bought for 1911 900
for q building to cost $6,500,000. The
new structure comprises 20 acres Of
floor space and Is designed to &C.
commodate 10000, 900 volumes In ad-
dition to the space required for the
copyright quarters Of the library. the
printing Of the card catalogue, and
other purposes. So the library has
come to represent plant on which
more than $l5.000.000 has been ex-
pended, to say nothing Of the cost Of
maintenance and the cost of acquir-
ing books and related matter.
Enshrined Documents
The buildings are In the shape Of
squares with sections Of book stacks
surrounding courts In the main build
ing radiating from the rotunda which
IS surmounted by q magnificent gold
the Italian renaissance style. The
original building is especially ornate,
being deliberately decorated with
sculptures and mural paintings by
eminent artists who have expressed
themselves in manner winning great
praise by all critics. Indeed, the in
terror Of the main structure fairly
do21lee Thn ,snoi,a ssoodis.n s.oa,,. -
the library Is 100 feet in diameter
and rises 125 feet to the dome. It Is
furnished In mahogany and has q
seating capacity for 200 readers. Over
100000 persons visit the library
yearly.
There Is Z great shrine In the
library where all visitors do reyer-
ence, exceptional for the western
hemisphere. It contains the original
copy Of the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence and the original copy Of the
Constitution Of the United States.
These were formerly In the custody
OF the Department Of State, where
Tor some time the Declaration hung
on q wall, subjecting 1t to the peril
OF fire and deterioration by air and
light. The paper began to disinte-
crate and the Ink to fade. Both great
instruments were deposited In the
Library Of Congress in 1924, 4 shrine
OF marble being provided on the west
wall Of the gallery Of the central
corridor where visitors may see and
read them. They are now protect
ed against damage by air and light
and appear as II In . golden shrine,
yellow translucent material appearing
to cover the priceless documents
Armed guards are always 1T hand
who answer the many questions pro-
pounded by visitors. Many Of them
are naive indeed, such as those aslkine
what connection Abraham Lincoln
had with them. In adjacent case.
are data on exhibition telling OF tn
genesis Of the Declaration Of indie
pendence.
In this same gallery at the east
end opposite. there Is in q glass case
and also closely guarded, q famous
and virtually priceless Gutenberg