The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-04
1t is unnecessary to state

in what particulars. A.,
1 have little sympathy, however, with the
spirit or purpose of an administration when
will sacrifice public progress and welfare IN
order to exhibit a doubtful economy IN eA-
penditures. / feel, moreover, that there Is a
unanimity of public sentiment especially IN
matters pertaining to our public schools, that
the financial policy of the administration
should be as liberal as the general financial
situation will warrant.
1 wish now to call the attention of the
board, not to free text books, merely, which
use Of text books. I believe that this board
are in favor of the free use of text books, If
means are provided by a feasible plan that
can be carried into effect.
The plan of the free use of text books may
be objected to on account of the expense
incurred by its adoption; but on the other
hand, an investigation of the proposed plan
will show very great saving of money
to the community, over the present system.
The books purchased under the present sys-
TEN are a direct tax upon the people. for
they now buy the books their own ch%ren
use. Moreover, the labor paid for in the
manufacture Of these books Is entirely outside
of this community, the consumers of these
books receive benefit whatever from this
labor, which in itself is a very important fac
tor.
All books published by book concerns are
copyrighted. The prices will not be re-
duced by competition and the board will be
obliged to pay whatever the publishers may
ask for their books. A review of the cost
of books presented herewith will show
saving of more than one-half of the present
price.
1t is admitted that in the case of one
book very recently published, that the &C
tual cost of publication was II cents, while
the cost to the pupil is 80 cents. This is
profit Of IS cents. on what cost u cents; or,
$50 per cent. This profit is divided among
the various ones who handle the book, In
Guiding the publisher, wholesaler, retailer,
agents, etc.
In addition to this great saving, in some
cases of $50 per cent, there are the addf-
tional advantages which accrue from pub
fishing these books in our own city. BY
making up our own book in our own city,
obtained and combinations of book con-
Germs to affect prices will be avoided. BY
this plan we patroniZe home Industries en-
tirely. In addition, the life Of each book
may be prolonged to serve successive pupils,
thus resulting in better care for the book
and a smaller average cost per pupil.
The surrounding cities, with scarcely any
exception, have free text books. This item
alone cuts a very great figure in dete~-iln-
ing the city to which people, who can choose,
decide to 90 to enjoy educational and other
ular is already too strongly against our
city for us to neglect longer to give proper
attention to this matter of public policy.
These are but few of a great many reasons
why the adoption of this system is desirable.
l know of no more legitimate purpose for
which to levy tax or one which will yield
better results and give more re-, general d,e salts
faction to the citizens of this city.
1t should be borne in mind that we are
paying out more than three times the amount
(see exhibit AZ for the purchase OF books at
the present time than would In the pro-
posed way, though not in the form of city
taxes. The adoption of this system will not
call for an outlay of q large amount of money
in any one year, but from year to year
sum may be set aside for this purpose, which,
in time, by the gradual unfolding and ex-
tending Of this plan, the schools Will nave
a complete system of the free use OF text
books at a nominal cost.
The proposition | desire to make Is TO
have a committee appointed by this board
to take charge of this work and arrange
with our teachers with a view OF getting
in readiness q series of arithmetics to be
published and ready for use by The opening
of the schools next September. The follow
ing year the plan may be extended to IN
clude a series of readers, for use in our
schools and so on, until a complete list OF
books are in use and published by the board,
the entire work being carried on In our
own city and employing our own artisans ana
merchants. A small amount set aside out
Of the maintenance fund, year by year, Will
easily give us the full benefits OF this sys-
TEN.
We have already inaugurated this system
large part of the reading, matter OF the
first and second grades, together with &c
tons in literature, number work, geography,
etc, Is now very ably edited and sent out
by Miss Brooks and Mr.. Bond, at very
trifing expense to this board This Work
is sent out in leafet form. 1t would be
a matter Of economy if these leaflets were
bound. for they would then last much long
er. This system for free use of books would
extend this supply to all grades.
The proposed plan of preparing these DOCKS
is as follows: Our schools are very care
fully graded and divided into sixteen classes,
excluding the kindergarten and the hlgh
school These sixteen classes have each
many teachers of ability. teachers who have
had long experience in the grades they are
now teaching and who could well prepare
that portion of the work IN a5ltnmeuc; dneSe
this work and turn it over to a competent
committee to compile revise and co-ordl-
nate it with the preceding ana succeeding
able limits These several committees could
present their work to general commlttee,
Under the direct charge of the superintendent
of schools to do the final work anu pre-
mare the manuscripts for publication,
There are many points in favor OF TINS plan
of the preparation of book. The pages
of the book can be put d INTO Pianes
teaching change new plates can be SUBSTITUTE
ed for those no longer desirable; plates tneln-
selves can be changed where snght oranges ers
alone are desirable. If, then, the DOCKS are
printed and bound as required there VIII De
no loss from shelf-worn books ana 1nere
will be no idle investment OF money.
This proposition to introduce system OF lree
hooks in our schools, involving as 1t does
some expense seems OF sufficient Importance
to warrant considerable attention from tnls
board Therefore my reason for Gaining olle
attention of the members of this board TO the
system is that it may be taken up and con-
sidered by the board or committee, IN oroer
to give ample time to formulate plan Wnere-
bv partial or gradual introduction or THIS
system may be made.
The universal adoption Of the free use OF
school books throughout the country is
matter that can no longer be dlsregarded
by this city for little room is left for aTgu-
ment against it. 4,
l desire, however, TO cal your aItentio.
to few of it's advantages; the free use OF
text books will result in prompt and effec-
tive organization of classes at the immediate
opening of schools at the beginning OF the
school year. and thus avoid the delay caused
bv the failure of pupils to promptly provide
Themselves with books. The fact that the
attendance is greatly increased in these cities
that have adopted and that have in use this
system is evidence enough that many families
find the purchase of books a greater burden
than they are able to bear. This abolishes
poverty and establishes equality. BY the in
crease of attendance, the money from the
state which is paid out per pupil, will very
largely be in excess of the cost of books,
which will never average over 81 per pupil
per year.
l hope this very important matter will re-
ceive the careful attention Of this board.
No argument can be urged against the free
use of text books that will not apply with
equal force to our free schools, because they
go hand in hand together. Respectfully sub
mitted. Anthony Yoerg Jr.
EXHIBIT A.
Under Present Under Proposed
System. System.
Reader. No. Pages. Cost. Cost.
First reader -. IA 1924 so 09as
Second reader. .20S SO II
Third reader. .316 As 81
Fourth reader. .4S8 60 26
Fifth reader -. $40 80 w
Arithmetic. No. Pages. Cost. Cost.
Primary ...... $50 50 80 so 171h
First part .....1SO 80 17h