Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-25
TEXT BOOK TRUSTS.
The Fight They Will Make In Maine
This Summer.
6omo Facts that Should be Taken
Into Consideration by the Town
Committees.

The subject of free text books 10 on,
about which much has been said, and ths
subject is not yet exhausted. As 1t 10 on,
pertaining to the interests Of every schoo
district in Maine, the clearer the working
of the free text book law are made, tn,
better. DR., J. .. Webster, of the Augusts
school Committee. WAS seen by \ Journs
reporter. yesterday, with view to ascer
tanning some facts as to the practical work
ing' of the law, especially as regards tn,
introduction Of the books.
| The subject of school book syndicate,
and trusts WAS the first III At naturally came
up for consideration. In reply to the re.
porier's question DIR. Webster said that the
most OF the large book publishing houses
had for several years been in a combipa-
ton of the nature Of a syndicate. As an
instance Of the advantages thus derived
from this combination it WAS the rule il one
iirm, being member of the syndicate.
should succeed in displaciDg the works of
another firm which was a member Of the
same combination, the publishing concern
so displaced was to receive damages. As
4 result Of the syndicste the publishing
houses belonging thereto had established a
very uniform list of prices. This combi-
nation, too, expended much money In try-
ing to defeat the passage Of q free text
book law in this and other States. These
houses are nov forming a closer combina.
ton which they call trust. which includes
nearly all the large school book pub lishing
houses In the country. There 10 one
OF the wealthieI publishing houses
however, that is not only not included In
the combine but is fighting it by cutting
down the prices. There are . number o
smaller houses publishing certain lines Of
school books, and one object Of the trust 10
to kill out these. A. rule the books they
publish are Of 4 superior quality to those
published by the syndicate houses, though
not in so many different branches.
The struggle to get their books intro
duced into the different towns will probably
begin soon will it DotS
The State will be flooded with agents this
summet. There will be from thirty to forty
agents OF the synd icate houses working the
State. These houses are preparing to make
the same kind Of fight here that they have
been making in Vermont under similar cir.
cumstances, and they will endesvor by
every means to have their school books
adopted by the committees Of the different
towns throughout this State and they are
ready u expend an unlimited amount OF
m oney to this end. A special light will be
made against all the publishing houses not
belonging to this trust
What do you think will be their tactics.
doctor?
Probably one special point will be to get
the committees to adopt full line Of one
houses text books. This would be a ye,y
unfortunate thing for our town to do because
there is not single firm which publishe,
school books that are most desirable in
every branch There 10 no. any one house
that know Of that publishes . good series
clear through. Extremely low rates Of ex-
change aod introduction will probably be
offered just TO get the books introduced. |
As these rates will likely be made lover
than the books can be bought for sfterward |
Il will be safest for the committees intro
1uclng the books to require . write guar. |
antee from the publishing hoase tha. the
pric shall r main the same 80 long ~ the |
books shall be used
Lying near were some samples Of school |
books, showing quite veil the different
bindiogs nov IN use A book Of 3O5 pages
ubished by one Of the syndicate houses,
vas compared with a similar one Of 400
pages published by house outside the
'yndicste. The larger book vas better
ooun'i and Of better quality, and yet ,bs
price vas forty cents, while that Of the
cheaper gotten mp book Of ne arly q 100
pages lees was ffty-Hve cents DR.. Web
ster said that after little wear the Q1aIi;y
OF binding woui show . vas; difference.
10 our schools there are seoaraphies that
have been in use four and Ave years, while
other geographes cheaper bouod we're
worn out 10 two years
There 10 no one pa ,lishing house,
added DIR Web'tsr, that publishes . com.
plete series of the best tex, books Ip most
Dranc aes there are two or three books of
different houses far superior to sli the rest.
The committee will do we'll to consult those
acquainted With these details, - Suot, Of
Schools Luce. before de siding on the kinds
OF books they will Introduce. MANY com.
mitiees seem to have an idea tha, they will
be Obliged to purchase all the books used
10 town whether the scholars. or some Of
lhem, are already supplied with the same
books or not. II has been suggested
that the committee buy the books
In the hands Of the scboIars
Il in good condition and the ssme - 70 be
used. The School Committee Of Augusta
bought the new books - the pupils needed
hem and In this way the pupils having
hem could use their old books. In this
vsy the bonks have been introduced srsd-
1aiiy and At comparatively email expense.
Last year when We nrss supplied books to
ne Is country schools. the amount required
1As only WOO. In any town where the
.ooks are not to be changed, he sane pol.
ey ~ b follsvsA !.