Evening star., 1935-06-30

Congressional Library is fortunate in
having had Herbert Putnam as its
Librarian since April 5. 1899, and he
has served it faithfully and zealously.
He has done more than any other man
to make 1t the great institution it is.
As library executive there is none
better in the world. but he is servant
OF the government. and can spend no
more than the sum allotted to him. In
1926 he issued list of Desiderata. in
which he mentions the bibliographic
monuments which should indisputably
be represented in the national library
of the United States" and includes
therein list of the earliest collection
OF Voyages, early maps and aliases,
and early tracts relating to the dis
covery period. and to the first settle
ments in North and South America.
Almost every volume in this list
could have been added to the col
lection during Mr.. Putnam's incum-
bency in Office. For instance, in the
library of that astute collector of
Americana, the late H. V. Jones,
there are more of the printed letters of
Columbus and of Vespucci than can
be found in the Library of Congress,
and these were purchased only nine
years ago. What right have |. a private
individual. to own such an important
national treasure as Grants famous
telegram to Stanton written on April
10. 1865, containing the immortal
words. closing the Civil War, General
Lee has surrendered the Army of the
Potomac on terms proposed by my
SELF" and yet the government had
the opportunity not once. but twice. of
securing it before it came into my
possession.
Hundreds of volumes of the highest
significance to the history of this
country are woefully lacking in Wash
ington. Even such an outstandingly
important document as Martin Valid
seemuller's World Map of 1907, the
first map to show the name of America,
is missing.
Nearly all the significant additions
to the Library of Congress have been
made by private individuals, who seem
to have recognized far better than the
authorities the Importance of our ma
tional library
The name by which our national
library is known is not happy one
and to the general public conveys a
false impression. The Library of Con-
gress owes this title to the original
purpose for which it was created:
namely, TO supply the members of
Congress with accurate data. What
use do Congressman make today of
this great library? Little in proportion
to their numbers, and intinitesimal in
proportion to the mass of readers.
On account of its name many people
do not recognize it as the national
library of the United States, and there
fore hesitate to contribute gifts of
money or books. or to bequeath to it
their collections. Yet every American
should have an affectionate pride in
this library After all it is our national
library, and should be so named. If it
we're so designated it would receive as
important contributions as do the
British Museum and the national
libraries of other countries.
None of our Presidents since JEFF
ferson has taken more interest in
gathering American historical ma
terial than has Franklin Delano
Roosevelt. In his own writings on the
origin of the Navy he has made use of
hitherto unpublished material. He is
collector of American naval prints,
ship models, autograph letters and
documents. As far as l know Mr..
Roosevelt has made no real effort to
increase the appropriation for the
Library of Congress. A million dollars
a year instead of the $15O.O0O it is