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104 CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH
tertainments of a community which is capable of creating such
a library and gallery for the elevation of themselves and their
posterity."
The man who made possible the realization of Mr. Brunot's
dream, was at that time a resident of Pittsburgh, earning a
nominal salary as assistant superintendent of a railway. As a
mere boy he, along with other poor boys, had had access to the
private library of Colonel James Anderson of Allegheny, who
on Saturday nights lent his books and gave kindly and judicious
advice to lads, a number of whom afterward became
prominent Pittsburgh business men. The conception of the extensive
domain of literature gained under the direction of
Colonel Anderson has had a goodly share of influence in the
development of Pittsburgh's present library system.
Information is not at hand as to just when this old library
ceased to function, but it was somewhere about the time when
the Carnegie Library was opened to the public. The books
which have just been turned over to the Carnegie Library
should, and probably will, have among their number many
which will be of value in showing the history of Pittsburgh.
Current Terms Defined
Various terms frequently seen in recent books, magazines
and newspapers are of such recent use in the exact sense in
which they are employed, that their meaning is vague to many
readers. Explanations of some of these terms are given here.
Soviet
A soviet is a new chapter in government, the distinctive contribution
of the Russian revolution to political organization.
It is the local government body of the Russian revolution, a sort
of city council or township board. The central supreme governing body
is the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, and the cabinet there chosen.
Since the soviet is the local organization of the peasants', workmen's
and soldiers' deputies, only these classes vote for delegates.
That's the distinguishing feature of the Soviets—thev represent working-class
rule. The aristocrats and middle class have no vote.
In any district, for example, the workmen of each shop and trade
elect a delegate, or as many delegates as their numbers entitle them to