The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-29
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
a minnesota Educator Tells of the
Success of the Plan in That State.

Wichita, March 29.-Prof p F. Buck
of Paramount college was interviewed
here by a local reporter for information
IN regard to the free text book system
in Minnesota. The reporter asked how
long the law had been in force in that
state; what objections were urged
against it at the time of its passage;
the average cost per pupil. and how
the system has been carried on in the
country and city schools.
The law was passed in 1898 and has
been in force four years.
The chief objection raised against it
was that the wealthy people would have
TO pay the increased tax levied for the
purpose of buying the books while
they We're not the ones that patronize
the schools. It was answered. first.
that the increase in the taxes would be
very small; and, second, that there were
a great many spectators owning farm
lands and city lots who ought to bear
the burden if there was one Many
minor objections We're raised For ex-
ample, the pupil would not care for
books belonging to the district as well
as they would for their own. Expert
ence has shown that they take better
care of school property than they did
of their own books.
The law left it optional with each
district and city to decide for itself in
regard to the use of the books. A COM
mittee. of which the state superintend-
ent was chairman, got the very best
prices they could from every prominent
These prices were not much over one
half what the retail price had previ-
OuSly BEEN When a district, city or
county desired to introduce the free
text book system, they have whatever
books they desired. and made a con-
tract with the publishers. The clerk of
thu school board ordered the books
which were usually well covered and
then placed under the care of the teach
ers.
Was there not some difficulty in in
PRODUCING the system into the large
cities?"
None at all. For example. Mime
apolis has a population of 1855, 900. At
the close of the school year of 1898 the
school board said to the patrons of the
schools, if you will donate the books
that your children now use we will
hereafter furnish all books needed to
supply the pupils of our public schools
The patrons gladly accepted the offer
and from that day to this the city has
furnished the text books. The heavi-
est expense always comes in getting the
first supply. This was avoided by
having the patrons donate the books.
Now, as to the average cost. was
for seven years in charge of a school of
between 400 and 500 pupils, and the av-
erage cost was about IS cents for all
pupils below the high school This
school introduced the system before the
state law was passed. Having bought
the first supply, it does not cost a great
deal to replace worn out books. Many
DOCKS VIII last uNe years ana longer
while other. like primers and first read
ers, will not last more than year
or two. The above price is about
what the average is throughout the
state. according to the state superin-
tendent's report.
There are many advantages besides
the expense. Every pupil in school has
the books he needs the first morning of
the term. Under the old system the
first day is usually taken up in finding
out what books are needed and getting
them. and many pupils are never prop
erly supplied with books. especially in
country districts.
4 do not think that you could find
any one who has been connected with
the free text book system in Minnesota
but what is heartily in favor of it. They
look upon school books as school prop
erty the same as maps. charts, seats,
etc, and would as soon think of having
pupils bring their own seats to school
as their own text books