Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
be so obviously advantageous that it needs
no argument 10 sustain II.
THE PRICE OF IsGOKs.

PRICE OF BOOKS.
No matter how much the purchasing pow
cr of the gold dollar may have increased,
it has not affected the price of new books.
and this is the time of year when that fact
becomes painfully evident. The books which
one desires to give to his friends are the
late publications and these seem never 10
have cost so much rs now. While it is true
that books generally have never been so
beautiful as At present. and while it is true
that the beautiful in everything has never
been so thoroughly and generally appre-
cia;ed heretofore. yet it must be admitted
that people know more now than ever be-
fore and are buying books for their con-
tents rather than for their covers. One does
not mind paying for some extra adornment
at Christmas time, as Il; sort of compliment
TO the season ana to certain friends or
cherished authors. hat too much of it be-
comes a serious burden. This extra ex-
| pense ought to be a matter OF choice rather
than OF necessity.
QUO Vadis' may now be bought for a
dollar from the same publishers who
brought out the 50 edition and forced the
'bti' ~ ''s Na'N - -'HtN+
think that these publishers are entitled 10
gratitude for this cheaper edition, but We
are inclined TO think that about Il hundred
| thousand purchasers of the first publication
will justly consider that they have been
robbed of 4 dollar. If it be true, as al
legged, that the price has been reduced 10
meet the competition of pirates. then evil
has resulted IN much good, and it Is Il
lamentabIe fact that the pirates did not
begin their work earlier. QUO Nadis' is
the most healthful fiction of the year. if
not of the century, and the good it is doing
cannot he estimated. 1t is the best in
vestment for a dollar that the season af-
fords.
The most exorbitant price asked for a
current book is for The Choir INVISIBLE
which sells for $50. That is robbery and
almost makes one wish that there were no
copyr;ght laws. The cost of the mechan-
ical work and material cannot possibly ex-
coed % cents and probably the author does
not get more than another % cents. This
leaves 81, or two-thirds of the price, for the
profits of the publishers and dealers. which
is altogether too much, and buyers are just
ly protesting.
AS long as existing copyright laws stand
there can be no competition among publish
ers-no such thing as n market value, 50
far as new books are concerned. Prices are
purely arbitrary and the public must pay
them or go without, no matter how great
may be the need of the books. There is no
reason why certain conditions should not be
attached TO the right of exclusive pub!ica-
ton. While it may not be polite for the
state to undertake to say for how much q
work shall be sold, yet it can predicate Its
protection upon certain conditions which
will give authors and readers their just
dues. This is particularly true of school
books.
Just now the people of Kansas are en-
during much as a result of the rapacity o.
schoolbook publishers. EXorbitant price:
were charged until the state was virtually
forced, by public sentiment. to take th'
matter into its own hands. AS might b'
expected under existing political conditions
, the work fell into incompetent hands. AM
, publishers, parents and pupils are under
going great punishment. An honest pric'
foc. honest books would have prevented al
Of it.
The most deeply disappointed man tina
: has come to our notice in n long time is al
, ardent lover of Tennyson. who has beef
anxiousiy awaiting the new Life" by tn
poets son. The book is here. but it cost
so and this man cannot afford it. To hin
D it is almost a necessity, and it is an out
: rage that he must be denied its posses
! sion.