Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-12

For the third or fourth time In the history
of the Pittsburg public schools the effort to
introduce free text books has been defeated.
A meeting of the Committee on Text Books
of the Central Board Of Education was held
yesterday at $3.50 P. NJ to consider the resolution
adopted by the Central Board Of Education
that the above committee consider the advisa-
bility of introducing free books and report at
the next general meeting.
Messrs. Kearns, Horgan, SwentZel, Trosh,
Welmar and Berger were present. DR.. Kearns
was Chairman. Secretary Reisfar read the
report Of Superintendent Luckey, in which.
at the last meeting Of the Central Board.
he gave reasons why he was in favor of free
text books here. Dr.. Swentzel inquired il
there was enough money in the treasury to
stated that in order to avoid big burden all
at once, states and first readers should be sup
piled to the pupils of the primary grade to be-
gin with. The estimated cost to do this would
be ST. 300. At the end of the year there was ex-
pected to be about 81 600 in the school treasury.
He gave a summary of the list OF books that
would be required for the pupils of all grades.
Mr.. Berger was of the opinion that as every
board has the power to supply books to fndi-
gent children there was no reason why chill
dren should be kept out of schools because
they were too poor to buy books.
Superintendent Luckey said that many
parents were too proud to let the world know
OF their poverty and would not ask school
board for books prererring to keep their
the pupils who are supplied with books by the
School Board are the very ones who do not
need them. He thought by giving pupils fres
text books to the primary grades children
would be gathered in and given an education,
which is the object of the school system.
DR.. Swentzel proposed resolution that after
given free to the pupils of the primary grades,
but his resolution was not seconded. DR..
Kearns stated they had an important matter
the % advancement or otherwise Of the
public schools and the question should
be discussed freely. The first thing to be de-
cided was whether the resolution in general be
recommended favorably or negatively to the
Central Board of Education. Mr.. Berger
favored a negative report. This was seconded
by Mr.. Weimar.
people did not like the world to know Of their
poverty, and would not ask for books. Free
text books would be an increased taxation, and
about their books, but they ought to be guided
by the advice of the Superintendent OF Schools.
But as many people were tool proud to let the
world know they were living on the taxation OF
other people, he was willing to vote for Tree
text books.
According to the statement of Superintend-
ent Luckey ex-Superintendent of Public In.
struction Wickersham. now dead. had stated
before the Legislative Committee that in Lam
caster the cost for each pupil for five years for
free text books did not exceed 40 cents a year
instead of So as formerly. This would be a
the time must come when free text books
would be the rule He said the adoption would
save the citizens of Pittsburg from $4,000 to
S60 COO
Mr.. Berger said that free text books would
cause the spread Of disease in the schools. DR..
Kearns then made a speech, saying he was op-
posed to free text books from sani-
tary point of view. He held that the
transfer of books from one pupil to
another would be exceedingly dangerous In
that these books might hold the incipient
germs OF diphtheria and scarlet fever, absorbed
from pupils who handled the books. The
health of the child was more to him than the
education, and as physician he would never
agree to the adoption of free text books.
Superintendent Luckey answered that the
doctor was right in theory, but wrong in prac-
tice, and poin :ed to other cities and TO Pitts
burg schools the Sterret and the Thrty-second
ward, in support of his argument that there is
no danger of disease in free text books. The
committee finally decided to report to the Gen.
tral Board negatively the resolution for free
text books by vote Of 5 to /, DR.. Swentzel be-
ing the only one in favor of the project. The
Central Board will take up the question on
Tuesday evening.
The committee recommended the same books
for the ward school as used last year, but REG
commended the adoption Of the following as
books to be used for the high school: Fisk's
"Book on Civil Government" instead of Town.
sends, and "Schulz's Practical Physics;' also,
that ''sully's Psychology" be taken from the
course, as beyond the scope of the pupils.