To the editor:

When the Carnegie building is refurbished, Harold and I urge that the city commission use it to meet the needs of the homeless people of Lawrence.

Some have suggested that having the homeless in the heart of the city would give a blight to our city. We think not. The homeless could be provided with lockers in which to put their belongings, instead of carrying the packs on their backs which so easily identifies them.

We, the people of Lawrence, would then be treating them more nearly humanely. They could have their hair cut, shampoo, shower, wash and dry their clothes, and our city could provide adequate bathroom facilities as well.

Some have suggested that it would discredit the Carnegie building to have it housing our homeless people.

We think Andrew Carnegie may have felt so grateful. His parents were active in the meal riots of Scotland. Her parents worked for political reform for those in their society who had no one to speak in their behalf.

Should we not put human needs above all other considerations?

Beyond all that, we, the city of Lawrence, should do it because it is the right thing to do.

Mary Siegrist,

Lawrence