THE LIBRARY LOG

"Please send us some books. We ain't
got no books at all. We are regulars and
get just as lonesome as National Guards."
Thus wrote a private soldier to a public
librarian. The soldier was in a small camp.
If he had been in a large one, he would
have been able to take advantage of the
library service which the American Library
Association has established in all of the
national cantonments. The books he asked
for were sent promptly, and others have
followed with regularity. But, in the first
shipment, the thoughtful librarian included
a supply of tobacco and candy. Just where
he got them, deponent sayeth not, but at
any rate they went forward. The response
was immediate!
"If you ever done good to a man you
done good to me," wrote the soldier, "but
please don't waste no more space for eats.
Just send the books."
This is merely one incidental bit of evi-
dence as to the keen desire on the part of
the men in the camps for reading matter.
NEW BOOKS
An impression seems to prevail that new
books are withheld from the public by the
attendants who, from their point of vantage,
not only seize the opportunity of first chance
for themselves, but also pass the privilege
on to their relatives and friends, thus creat-
ing an endless chain which operates to the
disadvantage of the public at large. This is
an error which we should like to correct.
There is a standing rule in the library that
no employee may withdraw any new book
of fiction until after it has been three
months in general circulation.  Nor may
current magazines be taken until a month
has passed. New books in other classifi-
cations may be withdrawn providing there
are no requisitions on file by outside bor-
rowers. When, however, there is a waiting
list for a book. the attendant's turn comes
last even though it may have been the first
call entered. Attendants themselves recog-
nize the propriety and justice of this rule.
Upon request from Washington the
Board of Trustees of the Library have re-
leased Mr. S. A. McKillop for a period of
two months to do camp library work. Mr.
McKillop plans to leave immediately. After
spending a short time in several of the other
great cantonments, he will go to Camp
Beauregard, at Alexandria, La., where he
will organize the camp library. This gives
us an additional and personal interest in the
great work for the soldiers which is carried
on by American library forces.
She was a symphony in brown. Her eyes
were brown and her hair was brown, and
clothing of the same warm hue enfolded her
graceful figure. Coquettish dimples played
archly in her cheeks and a tiny mole on her

chin produced the effect of the little black
patch once so popular with Colonial dames.
The nipping winter wind had blown a rav-
ishing color into her face and the flutfy
brown boa about her throat gave her youth-
ful countenance a look of soft daintiness
altogether charming.
"I want a good story," she explained.
"One of the old-fashioned kind with lots of
love and no gore in it. None of your war
stuff for me!"
The attendant brought an assortment of
novels for her to choose from.
"Now, which shall I take?" she asked,
turning to the friend who had accompanied
her. "Here's 'The Romance of a Poor
Young Man'. If it was a poor young woman
it would be appropriate. And here is 'Good-
bye, Sweetheart'. Funny title for a novel!
I suppose he was a soldier."
"Looks as if it might be thrilling," said
the friend. "There's loads of talk in it."
"But if he never comes back, I don't
want it."
She turned to the end and began reading
backwards. Then suddenly an exclamation
of disappointment burst from her lips.
"Oh, she dies! That'll never do. My
heroine must live and be happy ever after.
The story must end as it ought to."
"Then take this one of King's," suggest-
ed the attendant. "His always end as they
ought to. Of course, it's military, but it
isn't distressing."
And they walked away triumphantly with
the "Colonel's Daughter".
MUSIC
The fact that it is impossible at present to
import standard editions of the music of the
great composers makes the music collection
of the library of increasing importance to
the musicians of Milwaukee. The collection
includes the scores of operas, complete edi-
tions of the piano works of many compos-
ers, song collections, operettas, patriotic
and familiar songs, organ music, violin mu-
sic, trios and quartettes. With it are shelved
the biographies of musicians, histories of
music, works on harmony and counterpoint,
v-oice training, piano playing, the orchestra
and its instruments and bound volumes of
musical periodicals. The music is issued for
home use in the same manner that the
books are. Recent additions to the Julius
Klauser Memorial Collection are the col-
lected works of Russian composers.
REORGANIZATION OF THE MIL-
WAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL
Voters of the city of Milwaukee are to
determine the size, length of term of office
and method of election of the Milwaukee
Common Council at the coming elections.
In accordance with chapter 327, Laws of
1917, the voter is expected to signify at
the primary election his preference for one
of the following plans:

4



					
				

					
THE LIBRARY LOG

1. Thirty-seven aldermen; one alderman
from each ward for term of two years;
twelve at large for terms of four years, six
to be elected biennially.
2. Thirty-seven aldermen; one from each
ward for four years; twelve at large for
four years, six to be elected biennially.
3. Eighteen aldermen; six at large and
twelve from aldermanic districts, all divided
into two groups, each group for a term of
four years at alternate biennial elections.
4. Eighteen aldermen from aldermanic
districts for four years, odd and even-num-
hered groups elected at alternate biennial
elections.
5. Nine aldermen at large elected in
groups of three for six year terms.

6. Twenty-five aldermen from wards for
terms of four years, elected every four
years.
The two plans which receive the largest
number of votes at the primary election will
be submitted to the voters at the regular
election, and the plan receiving the largest
number of votes at this election will deter-
mine the number and length of term of of-
lice of the aldermen.
To facilitate the discussion of the various
forms of the Common Council, the Munic-
ipal Reference Library has prepared a brief
bibliography on the length of term of office,
number of members and methods of elec-
tion of city councils. Arguments for and
against are included. The references will
be found in the Municipal Reference I
brary.

BOOK NOTES FOR BUSY PEOPLE
We note this month a number of books bearing on various phases of the war. American publishers are
necessarily giving nuch attention to the subject, but not, as our lists prove, to the entire exclusion of
other books. Let us, as good citizens should, keep informed concerning the war, but also, in order that we
may keep entirely sane in these trying times, let us refresh our minds and souls with good reading on
other topics.

Ackerman, Carl W. Germany the Next Re-
public? 1917. Doran. $1.50       940.91-A182
Read in the light of recent events, this book
is very interesting. The author was in Germany
from March, 1915, to the time Ambassador Ge-
rard returned to the United States. With all of
the trained journalist's shrewd powers of ob-
servation, Mr. Ackerman watched the effects of
American foreign policy upon the minds of the
German people. In his preface he says, "I be-
lieve that the United States by two years of
patience and note writing, has done more to ac-
complish the destruction of militarism and to en-
courage freedom of thought in Germany than the
Allies did during nearly three years of fighting.'
The long-drugged nation stirred in its sleep, but
it is the belief of the author that only military
defeat can fully awaken the sleeper. The Ger-
muan cartoons which are used as illustrations are
fully as enlightening as to the German state of
mind, as anything Mr. Ackerman tells us.
Beer, George      L.   The    English-speaking
Peoples. 1917. Macmillan. $1.50       327-1141
This book is very well worth the attention of
any earnest student of present-day political sci-
ence. The author was at one time fecturer in
European history at Columbia University.   He
gives us a most careful survey of Anglo-American
relations in the past. discusses present phases of
the situation, and makes very clear our obliga-
tions for the future.  The possibilities of co-
operation between English-speaking peoples en-
tail responsibilities for world welfare which must
not be shirked.
Brooks, Charles S. There's Pippins and
Cheese to Come. 1917. Yale University
Press. $2.00                       814-B873t
When the weight of affairs in a world at war,
becomes too heavy a burden, it is well to turn
for refreshment to an author like Mr. Brooks.
"Journeys to Bagdad '. published last year. and
Tiere's Pippins and Cheese to Come'', are two
volumes of essays. Absolutely and delightfully

irresponsible, the author discourses upon such
subjects as "The worst edition of Shakespeare;
The chilly presence of hard-headed persons; On
buying old books: Any stick will do to beat a
dog; Now that spring is here.''
Chesterton, Gilbert K. Utopia of Usurers
and Other Essays. 1917. Boni & Live-
right. $1.25                         304-C52
To the reader who has been wont to consider
Mr. Chesterton as merely amusing and an adept
performer in the art of standing ona his head,
this book will cause surprise. It is an attack
on modern society-the world as ruled by capi-
talists. It is not always easy to get the an-
thor's vewpoint, but his essays are thought-
provoking and on the whole entertaining. Sev-
eral of the chapters deal with the war, one is
entitled "The Mask of Socialism'', and one "A
Workman s fHistory of England".
Chitwood, Oliver P. The Immediate Causes
of the Great \Wat-. 1917. Crowell. $1.35
940.91-C543
This is ia good, concise summary of the causes
of the European war as they tire to be found in
documents of the warring nations. Such a book
was needed for the use of readers who have not
much time at their disposal, but who wish to
draw their own conclusions from facts as pre-
sented in undoubtedly authentic documents. The
author is professor of European history in West
Virginia University.
Clemens, Samuel L. (Mark Twain, pseud.)
Mark Twain's Letters; ed. by Albert Bige-
low Paine; 2 vols. 1917. 1larper. $4.00
92-C625Pm
Seldom, indeed, do we find two large volumes
of letters so uriformly interesting as those of.
Mark Twain. The mai stands revealed in all
of his relations of life. The first letters were
asritten in 1853 and the record is complete to

5