The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-22
SEATTLE. MONDAY, JULY ea.


The city of Chicago IL having some trou-
books for the public school children and
its board of education has come TO the
conclusion that the city Is paying for books
more than any other city In the Union. In
proportion 10 what are purchased by pupils
and what are aid for out OF the INDECENT
fund. The greater part Of the school books
have heretofore been purchased from the
American Book Company, which has had
extensive dealings In all the states of the
Union. but the Chicago board of education.
believing that unreasonable prices have
been paid. now insists that local publishers
should be given chance. and confidently
predicts that a saving OF from . to s. per
cent. viii be effected in getting free from
the so-called book trust.
The selection and purchase OF text books
for public schools are subjects to which a
great deal OF attention has been given by
teachers and educational boards but there
are still many complaints because of the
character OF the books selected, as well as
there are too frequent changes. while pub
fishers claim that some communities hold
on too long TO works that are obsolete and
behind the times. While there is no doubt
that enterprising publishers have often Sc
cured an Introduction of new books with a
view OF prodting by the change. at tho
same time there is perhaps reason for a
Chicagoan finding fault because his child
Is obliged TO study a geography in which
Chicago il given but $4,000 people and
Bloomington is credited with being the
great railroad center OF the state of Ilii-
nois.
The great cause for dissatisfaction, how
ever, has been the prices which parents
have been obliged TO pay for their chill
dren's books. which. II is claimed. arc in
variabiy FAR more than enough TO allow
the publishers a legitimate profit Il is
possible that In this particular there are
often reasons for complaint A large
Eastern school book house secured for
very small figure from a Chicago teacher
the manuscript for an oral arithmetic
The hook was offered 20 the Chicago board
IN large quantities at 81 cents per volume.
Local publishing houses offered 10 furnish
the book at 10 cents per volume. The
pun OF the Eastern concern was such
however. that they were finally given the
contract az ~ cents. HAD the local house
published the manuscript. for which. Il ,s
said. bat $50 was paid. there would have
been a saving 20 the parents Of Chicago Of
over <laoto. A Speller for which the East
ern company gets X cents Chicago print
ers are willing 10 furnish for cents. A
reader from the EaS; costs II cents: a Chi
rago publisher offers 10 provide the schools
with IL for cents.
II would seem that the only sansih,s
thing fer Chicago to do would ne 20 ma
tronize ner home publishers. The book
combines have evidently found a fruitful
field there. bat that is the city's fault. II
there Is free competition and underAana
influences OF strong combinations are
thwarted the question ought 10 settle H.
calf. In Ohio there is a state law requiring
school book publishers to allow y per cent.
discount from wholesale prices on all books
sold In that state. Our own legislature
passed law last winter which provided
that not over - per cent of former vrI,,s
should be paid publishers for any text
books hereafter purchased. and We believe
the contracts recently made have been
satisfactory. In those communities wher,
competition has had fres play. and teach
srs principals and superia;endents have
been assured that there IS nothing 90 fear
from threats OF book agents or the laau-
ences OF book combines. the difficulty O,
selecting books has been easily overcome
and only reasonable prizes paid.
Experience has shown that II IL hardly
expedient for tho state 90 publish 'ts own
books California has tried Il. but. 10 We
are rightly Informed. 8 vast amount Of
,naney has been expended. with hut very
few books published, and these az no sub
n,antiai saving 10 the people OF the state.