The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-11-09
OBJECTIONS TO 4 CHANGE.

For the edihcation of the GAzETTE,s
| readers, who are unfamiliar with the
workings of the American Book Compa-
ny, and who may have become poisoned
against it by reason of the recent sensa-
tional and 1ibelous statements made
against it, we have published elsewhere
in this issue the Company's reply. It is
a plain statement Of facts. There is no
| attempt to conceal anything. Each and
every one of the defa1natory charges are
| met frankly, and are satisfactorily ex-
planned. No ono can read it without
feeling that the company has been lied
about from start to finish, and without
just cause or provocation
The vital question, however, SO far as
the school patrons of Oregon are con-
cerned is not The American Book Com
Pany or its defamers, but simply: Do
they want change in text books that
will cost quarter of q million Of dollars?
Six years ago, the several firms now
constituting what is known as the Amer
lean Book Company secured a contract
for furnishing the state with school books
at certain agreed prices. At the time
these negotiations were entered into
there was no uniformity in prices, and
fabulous profits were being made by both
(! jobbers and local dealers. By means of
the contract now existing, the prices of
books were reduced to what was then
c1rciferaJ q raaoon1 h1a ror% paci5ac
reducing prices from 10 to so per cent,
uniform series of text books were pro-
vided throughout the state at uniform
cost. Two years after this contract was
made the publishing concerns who had
entered the agreement, organized them
selves into what is now know as the
American Book Company. AS these
publishing firms were furnishing books
all over the United States, and were each
compelled to maintain supply depots
throughout their vast territory at great
expense to each, they concluded to con-
solidate their interests and thereby re-
duce the expense of doing business to a
minimum. The good effects of this al
lance has been felt throughout the cou1-
try. Those familiar with the circum-
stances know that in Oregon voluntary
reduction of from IS to 80 per cent has
been made in the cost of all publications
furnished in the state. In this connec
ton, it should not be forgotten that this
reduction occurred after "the abomina-
BILE trust' had been formed.
Although the books in use during the
past six years have given general salts
faction, there is just now great hue and
cry raised to the effect that the American
Book Conlpany's publications are no
good, and that a sweeping change should
be made. Many ask why this is so, and
naturally enough, because prior to the
first of September no complaints had
been heard against the business methods
LOT the company Or the books it was fur
nishing. This is the question which the
public is unable to understand. It, how
ever, is easily explained: Rival publish
ing houses have formed an unholy al
lance to down the American Book Com
P1uy AZ O1uS1 lildl tlSy may secure tne
contract without opposition or fair com
petition. Should this take effect the
pupil of cur public schools will be COM
PEELED to lose the books now on hand,
and purchase new ones with no credit
for the old ones, because the old ones are
not to be taken in exchange. Ifa change
is voted for it will go into effect next
October, and will cost the school patrons
from s.. so to $500 for new books for
each and every one of their children.
Under such circumstances no county su-
perintendent or member of the board of
examiners having the welfare of the peo-
pie at heart, will vote for q change
These gentlemen recognize the fact that
the public is opposed to a change and if
they violate the trust reposed in them by
voting for new series of text books, the
favors now enjoyed by them at the hands
Of the public viii be withdrawn when
ever the opportunity presents itself.