Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-22
ORDERS TWO NEW TEXT BOOKS
Board Of Education Goes in for Some
Changes in Equipment,
INVOLVES GEOGRAPHY AND WRITING
Long Discussion Ended by the Adop-
ti"n OF the Committees Report
nnd Awarding of Contracts
To Publishers.

The Board of Education spent several
hours last night struggling over the book
question. All the members were present
except W. II. Thomas The two text books
that had been advertised for were in pen
manship and geography. Merli.l copy BOOK
and Frey's geography were adopted on
recommendation OF Dr. Snyder and c. Spruit,
members OF the book committee.
Propositions were received on copy books
from Maynard. Merrill & Co, Butler & Co,
CHM a Co, and the American School Book
company. The contract was awarded to
Maynard Merrill Co, at ~ cents dozen.
There were only two bidders on Biographies,
CHM & Co. and the Woerner Book company.
Frcys geography. published by the former
concern was adopted at "a cents for new
books and 6S cents will be allowed II an
old geography is given in exchange.
The American Book company offered to
furnish all the pupils with secondhand
copies Of Potter's geography, free OF charge,
II the matter of letting the contract was
put over until the company could get out
it's new book, now in course OF preparation.
Mr.. Fonda opposed letting the contract
last night In view of this proposition as
1t would save the parents the expense OF
buying books just at this time, when every
to wait until Mr. Thomas would return.
Members Morgan Spruit and Snyder said
they were tired OF being bothered by book
men about the matter, and urged that imme-
diate action be taken in the letting of the
contracts. which was done.
A request was received from Miss Gertrude
Kennedy. supervisor OF music, asking for
fifty copies of Book III OF the Cecilian series
for use in supplementary work In music for
the Eighth grade. The cost of the books
will be $50, which can be obtained from
the publishers in exchange for Book ~, now
in possession OF the board. Superintendent
Hisey recommended the exchange of the
books and Miss Kennedys request was
granted.
Secretary Dawson reported that d. w.
Bushnell. custodian OF books, had turnc l
over 81 600 to the treasurer for books sold
by him since the opening OF school. This
amount practically represents the amount
expended by the board for text BOOKS this
year.
a bill OF 500 for 200 primary Biographies
was allowed to CHM q Co. This new peog-
raphy was adopted by the board about a
month ago. as being the only available book
Of the kind on the market. No other gcog-
raphies were considered.
Member Fonda chairman OF the fuel ard
heating committee, reported that he was
not ready to report, and was granted FUR
ther time.
One of the bills allowed last night was
for 2665 gallons OF alcohol, for use in the
laboratories at the High school on arpli-
cation of Prof. Hayden the liquor was OBJ
tanned free from the internal revenue tax.
Prof. Hayden was called upon to explain
the proposed plan for a single session at the
High school The children and parents.
he said. were almost unanimous in favor of
the change. This plan is used in all the
larger cities and the location OF the High
school made 1t especially commendable in
Council Bluffs Seventy-six pupils had
been dropped out of school last year because
Of being compelled to climb the hill twice a
day The standard of scholarship he said
would be fully maintained and could be inn
proved upon, II anything, as no study time
would be lost by protracted noon hour.
Superintendent Hsey stated that he ap-
proved the plan. 1t was the only one he
had been accustomed to in his former work
Member Snyder moved that the change be
made and that the matter be left to the
superintendent and principal to carry out
Member Fonda had some doubts as to the
success of the plan as affecting the
scholarship of the pupils and recommended
that IL be only temporarily adopted.
II was adopted and the delegation OF High
school boys who were present promptly left
and gave vent to their joy over the change
by series OF appropriate yels.