Evening star., 1934-11-08
LIBRARY CHANGE
OPPOSITION VOICED
Present Management Is
Praised by Association OF
Oldest inhabitants.

Vigorous opposition to proposals to
change management OF the Public
Library was voiced last night by the
Association Of Oldest Inhabitants.
In a resolution, introduced by John
Clagett Proctor, and unanimously
adopted, the association praised the
present management, the Board Of
Trustees, and Urged its continuance.
Travel Talk Given.
Mr.. Proctor entertained the men,
bers with a travel talk of his recent
trip to South America. j. 0. Martin
of the Community Chest spoke OF the
people aided by the Chest, and asked
support of the institution
Concerning he library, the associa-
tion's resj VI n said that various
proposals hay been made for chang
ing the MAJ Agement of the Public
Library of the District of Columbia by
abolishing the Board Of Library Trus-
tees and veSting Its powers and func-
tons in the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia; by stripping the
transferred to the Commissioners, and
board Of its powers, which would be
continuing the board in only an ad-
viSory capacity, or substituting for
such advisory board an advisory body
to act in that capacity for both the
public schools and the Public Library"
I'VE are not in sympathy with any
of these proposals for changing the
control Of our Public Library" declared
the association. I'VE favor and urge
the continuance nf tho PnorI of l.
brary Trustees, as an independent
branch of the District of Columbia,
retaining their present powers. This
board of pubic-spirited citizens, ap-
pointed by the District Commissioners,
Is now and has always administered
the Public Library efficiently and in
the interest Of the people of the Dis
tfict OF Columbia. Under our peculiar
form OF local government there is
far too little opportunity for citizen
participation, therefore we believe that
there is more reason for increasing
the number Of citizen boards rather
than decreasing their number or
lessening their powers"
Resolutions to be Sent.
Copies of the resolution are to be
sent to the Senate District Committees
Subcommittee on Reorganization OF
the District of Columbia, the special
Research Committee at the District
Building and the Board Of Library
Trustees.
In VI ing adoption of the resolu-
tion, M Proctor declared the library,
which frequently consulted, was
q "yer businesslike institution and
q credit to those on the board"
IN seconding the resolution, Fred
4. Emery declared the people of
washington would be opposed to any
changes" He praised the character
and service of those on the Library
Board
Mr.. Proctor in his talk on South
America described his trip by inter-
mingling humorous anecdotes with
serious suggestions as to the business
OF shipping on the high seas. Un-
limited drinking on the high seas
he said that in more than so years
He suggested that the American Gov
ernment should give its citizens more
protection when travelling abroad.
This was based on observation of
what had happened to others, not
himself.
Architectural consistency" of Rio
de Janiero and Buenos Aires, was
praised by Mr.. Proctor. In describ-
ing the asphalt deposits of Trinidad,
he said that in more than so years,
the great asphalt lake had lowered
its level only about "A feet. He was
given a rising vote Of appreciation,
for his discourse.
Chest Work Explained.
Mr.. Martin in his talk on the Com
munity Chest explained the work of
the Chest for babies, young people,
and old people," and explained that