PLAN TO RAISE FUND FOR SOLDIERS' LIBRARIES

By proclamation of the Governor of virtually every State in the Union, the week commencing September 24 will be observed throughout the country as "Library War Fund Week," and will be especially devoted to raising a fund of $1,000,000 for the construction, equipment and maintenance of soldiers' public libraries in every cantonment and camp in the land. Library facilities also are to be provided from this fund for the sailors afloat and ashore, for the wounded and the sick, and even for men on the firing line.

Besides a Library War Council appointed by Secretary Baker, which has the raising of this fund in hand, the campaign in each State will be supervised by a state War Council, composed of leading men and women in all sections. Frank A. Vanderlip, president of the National City Bank of New York, is chairman of the National Library Council.

Governors Approve.

In announcing their intention to issue a proclamation for "Library War Fund Week," all the Governors expressed hearty sympathy with the project and the object for which it is designed.

"I heartily approve the movement and will be glad to co-operate in Massachusetts," wired Governor Samuel W. Mc. Call.

"I am in fullest sympathy with the work," telegraphed Governor Arthur Capper, of Kansas, while Governor Frederick D. Gardner, of Missourl, declared the movement has his "hearty approval."

Hardly had the week for the campaign been chosen when Governors fell into line from every corner of the country. Among the first to respond was Governor James Withcombe, of Oregon, and shortly after his enthusiastic endorsement came a message from Governor Theodore Bilbo, of Mississippi. Governor T. W. Bickett, of North Carolina, was among the first to respond, and Governor Simon Bamberger, of Utah, and Governor Lynn J. Frazier, of North Dakota. "I will issue a proclamation for Soldiers' Library Week at once," they wired.

"I have taken pains to inform myself about the plan and am warmly in favor of it," wrote Elihu Root, former Secretary of War and recently United States Senator from New York.

At the same time, E. L. Tilton, architect of New York, who has charge of erecting the library and theatre structures for the cantonments and camps, has reserved with the Bureau of Cantonment Construction sites for the war library buildings in each of the 16 National Army Camps. Besides the main library buildings, there also will be smaller structures for branches in the main streets of the soldiers' "cities," and the Y. M. C. A. huts, Knights of Columbus huts, and other centers likewise to be used as branches.

"Probably a dollar has never been as elastic as it will prove in this library war fund," said Harold Braddock, director for the Library War Council. "Not only will each dollar do its full share toward the construction of the library and branch buildings, the installation of tables and chairs in the reading rooms, and the provision of expert librarians, but it also will supply a book, keep that book in circulation until worn out, and then will help furnish a new one to replace the old one. Every dollar in the fund will prove itself 100 per cent. efficient.

"This condition is made possible," he further explained, "by the fact that every dollar of the fund is to be devoted to actual construction of the buildings, to their equipment, and to circulation of the reading matter. Not a cent will be used for any other purpose than for supplying libraries and reading rooms for the soldiers and sailors, at home and abroad, and for the sick and wounded."

Cities Promise Large Amounts.

In raising the money necessary for this work the Committee on Camp Libraries of the American Library Association proposed that each State, county, and city, or other Community, should subscribe a total equal to five per cent. of its population, and the plan has been enthusiastically received. New York is expected to show its customary practical generosity; the Atlanta Rotary Club has promised that its home city shall not fall behind; Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia have each established goals of $50,000; Seattle has asked to be put down for $25,000, and Spokane, Wash., will contribute $10,000, and Portland $40,000.