Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-20

The changes made In the school textbooks at
the beginning OF the present school year has been
subject or considerable complaint, not only
among parents who have been obliged to
purchase new books for their children, but among
booksellers, who complain that q certain dealer
was given special advantage. The books changed
were the 4th and 5th Franklin Readers, new edi-
tons being introduced for the old ones.
Besides this new music readers were intro
duced, and three new books were introduced
In the High school The proposed change, IL Is
acted upon by the board in public meeting. The
first notice of the change given was when the
pupils last month received the lists OF books they
were required TO provide themselves with. Then,
the booksellers claim. only one dealer IN the city,
Mr. VIM. Ballantyne, was prepared To furnish the
new books, he having been notified In some way OF
the change. The matter has been under inyestiga-
ton by the District Commissioners for some time.
IN the controversy that has arisen over the books
various other changes have been made affecting
superintendent Wilson'S official conduct but these,
IL appears have all been answered TO the satisfac
uol OF the Commissioners.
What the Records show.
A REPORT MADE BY DETECTIVE BLOCK TO THE Dis
TRicr COMMISSIONERS.
Detective Block, who was assigned to investigate
the allegations made concerning the changing OF
text books and matters relative thereto, made the
following report TO Major Dye:
The report begins by quoting the bylaws or the
csAoot oodiu NONtInDpr "a, TeQulr-
Ing the committee on teachers text books, &C. TO
make report OF proposed changes annually In the
month OF June, and providing that no books shall
De changed unless by vote or two-thirdS OF the
whole board The report then states:
ABOUT the end OF July Mr. Shillngton book
seller, corner ~ street and Pennsylvania avenue,
schools to inquire IL any change in the school books
was contemplated, and was Informed by Mr.
kfieem. secretary to MI. Wilson, the superinten-
dent, who was then absent on vacation, that no
change would be made in the text books. Later I'm
the season Mr.. Shillington, through a rumor that
there would be a change OF text books, called
again upon Mr. Ri tenn, and was answered that
he (Rneem1 had just received postal card from
the superintendent, dated from the summer resort
wnere MI. Ballantyne and Mr.. Wilson were sum-
merfng, announcing the change or two readers and
one music-book. But for the Interest taken by MI.
would have been able to supply the children with
the new books; as ii was, the supply not equal
TO the demand causing great deal OF annoyance
10 the parents and children, and was the subject
OF numerous complaints. Mr.. Ballantyne called
upon Mr.. Shillington and other booksellers, asking
them them, TO advance the price OF the school
paid. This was declined by the dealers
The blank-book called "The Spencerian Sampler"
could be bought for three cents were t for the
cover which is copyrighted. The spelling exercise
book, also blank and copyrighted by Mr.. Bailan-
tyne, could be furnished for four cents, while more
than double the amount is being charged for the
privileged one, having been adopted by the school
board. Complaint is made by one OF the supervis-
ing principals that So-called roll-book furnished
THIS year is much inferior In size, quality and make
up to the one formerly used. although The same
that the ink furnished this year becomes
thick and mouldy In twenty-four hours
Mr. Wilson claims that the books that have been
changed could not be considered as new books, be-
cause the same author publishes them The fact
Is That the old books are no more like the ones
than the Patent Office report is like the Post Office
report There is nothing upon the minutes OF the
board OF trustees OF the public schools indicating
that that body ever took any action upon the
Change OF the bOokS'
ENDORSEMENTS ON DETECTIVE BLOCKS REPORT
The above report was referred 10y Major Dye to
the Commissioners on october 81, and by
the Commissioners forwarded to "Mr D. ii.
Warner, president OF the board trustees, for
his information and such report as he may
the Commissioners as follows: LAS books
to a certain extent come within expenditures for
supplies, and changes in them involve an in
creased outlay from that fund.- the Commits
Sioners would be glad to know whether changes
have been made fn accordance with law and the
particulars OF the same" Upon this report appears
also the following endorsement, under date OF Oc-
tober z, 1884: "Ffle these papers-the question
asked by the Commissioners remains unanswered.
j. r. VEST"
AN EXPLANATION BY MIR. RHEEM
With the report is filed a letter from Mr. Rheem
to Mr.. Warner, dated october II, In which Mr.
Rheem says: "The statement made by Mr. Block
in reference to the conversations between Mr. Shil-
hngton and myself Is an inaccurate and misleading
representation OF the facts. Mr.. ShillingtOn did
call upon me about the latter part OF July or the
first part OF August, and inquired OF me II any
coming year l told him none had been made
not that none trOuid be made as stated.
He remarked that he had heard OF the prob
able publication OF new editions OF the Fourth
and Fifth readers and he wished learn II said ed
tons would be used. told him did not know
but would write TO Mr.. Wilson, learn the facts and
send him word After few days Mr.. Shillington
called again In person, and read to him the fol-
lowing from postal card which had just re-
ceiyed az from Mr. Wilson In answer to my inquiry.
edition OF the Fourth and Fifth readerS' gave
Mr. Shillngton and all the dealers who inquired TO
understand that Mr.. Wilson did not say the ne,c
editions would be used. but not TO order the old
editions until the matter had been decided by the
proper authorities The new editions OF the Frank
lin Fourth and Fifth readers were not issued by the
publishers until late In the summer, and, there
fore. those forwarded by the publishers to the COM
mittee on text DOCKS, were received on the 9Th OF
September. The committee met Immediately and
authorized the Super1ntendents to place them on
the printed lists OF text books issued the pupils
MI. Rheem submits letters from three prominent
school book dealers to show that they did not de-
rive their information from Mr. Shilington, as in
timated by Mr.. Block. He calls attention also to
interview with the president OF the school board
published tn The EVENING STAR OF August %, in
which alluSion to the proposed change OF editions
copyrighted "Spelling Exercise Book" was never
adopted by the board, and does not appear on the
printed list Of books furnished the pupils It being
discretionary with the teacher whether this book
any other book is used The roll books used this
year, he asserts, similar in size, quality and
makeup TO those used during the past year,
and in reference TO the ink he states that no com.
plants OF its quality. have been received at the
superintendent ofhce Whenever the supervising
principals have called for other inks it has been
furnished In replying TO the endorsement OF the
commissioners, that s'bOoks to a certain extent
coming within expenditures for supplies any
change In them involves an Increased outlay from
that fund.-" Mr. Rheem says: "I ind the new
editions or the Fourth and Fifth Readers are being
furnished the District at the regular contract
prices for the old editions, and considering the fact
that the publishers are exchanging at only NOM
tnal rate all the old readers on hand, however
damaged. it can be said that the District gains
rather than looses by the arrangement"
LETTERS FROM BOOKSELLERS.
Accompanying Mr.. Rheems letter are letters
from Messrs. John c. Parker, C. c. Purcell and J,
Decker booksellers, setting forth that they were
told by MI. Rheem, about the middle OF August.
not to order Franklin Readers, Nos and s. as
there was probability OF using the new editions.
Mr. Rheem also submits a letter from Mr.. Ballan.
tyne in reference to Mr. Blocks statement that he
(Mr Ballantynel had called upon Mr. Shflington to
get the booksellers to advance prices Mr.. Ballan-
tyne said he called for the purpose OF securing an
understanding about the retail price, and discussed
Morrison, but both expressed the judgment that
nothing could be effected Not one word was said
about ten per cent advance, or any advance. but
simply as to the possibility OF securing uniform
price.
WHAT A PROMINENT BOOK DEALER SAYS.
One OF the oldest and most prominent book
dealers on the Avenue said to STAR reporter to-day
that the complaint OF the booksellers was that all
had not an equal chance. The books were sold so
low that there was no proflt to the dealer but as
matter OF business they were required to sell them