The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-04-25
CHEAP SCHOOL BOOKS FOR OKLA
HOMA

The LEADER this morning presents
the contract made by Territorial
Superintendent A. o. Nichols with the
American Book company for furnish
ing to territorial schools uniform
text books in compliance with the new
law passed by the Fourth assembly.
The contract is a good one and
superintendent Nichols worked for
the best interests OF school patrons
when he signed the contract The
new law is already having beneficial
effect and VIII save to the people
thousands Of dollars, since il expressly
provides for uniformity OF text books,
the uniformity to be based on the
highest per cent. OF books now in
general use. Since the American
Book company has been supplying
Oklahoma with school books several
years, and is furnishing ~ per cent
Of all books IN use, there will be no
perceptible change-st least to the
pocket.book-in bringing about the
uniformity provided for in the law.
While the new law does net require
II, a contract has been secured which
gives purchasers of books u the terri
tory the bereft OF the lowest price, by
providing that retailers shall sell at
the contract price.
Since Superintendent Nichols con-
tract calls for the furnishing of text
books at prices corresponding and in
many cases lower than those of thirty
eight states. with book retailers under
guarantee TO sell at the contract
price, it will be readily apparent that
school patrons will not suffer from ex
tortion.
A eursory comparison OF the quota.
tions in the contract with the price
lists in other states and territories
will convince anyone that Oklahoma
profits by the new law.
-.cs1ad there been a change OF schoo
books. as provided for in one measur,
before the Fourth assembly, Sl75, OOl
worth OF books would have been con
fiscAted. AS IL Is changes il
books will have to be made il
only two OF the I, 500 school district
of the territory. According TO report
received by the territorial superinten
dent from school superintendents, ff
teen hundred school districts are usinl
the books quoted in the new contrac
to the exclusion Of oil other books.
Thus no hardship will be worked ol
school patrons. Their children vii
continue to use the books now In use
When the pupil advances he can bu,
new books at low prices, and will ex
perience no danger Of extortion on tb
part Of the book seller since he is unde
guarantee to sell books at the contrac
price.
The new law meets with gen era
favor on the part OF the people, espec
tally those connected with schools
The contract with the company sup
plying the books, will protect patrons
@HAhAb NV PiANch huu no away VIII
the troubles incident to a genera
change of books.
Ii may be argued by some that tn,
American book company has monop
oily Of the territorial book business
but this argument is frivolous and fall
fiat when one considers what the terri
tory gains. A contract with any othe
book company would have necessitate,
= general change Of books in ! sO
school districts, at far above thos,
quoted in the contract mentioned. N,
other company can supply text books
OF GOOD quality, at the contrac
prices of the American. The new Law
is good thing for Oklahoma schoo
patrons, and superintendent Niehol
Is deserving Of the wArmest commen
dAtion for his business ability an,
Aeumen in securing such an equltsbl
and beneficial contract