Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-11-16
THE DOCTOR
AND AND THE BOY
Superintendent Atkinson
Has Last Word on
Examinations.
REPLIES TO DIX. WOOD
ON DIR. HOWARD'S PLAN
The Boy May Not Always be Willing
to Expose His Epider-
mis- Before His
Companions,

@h''Ni 'i' VI tIlt
Commissioners of Public instruction
was dispatched yesterday, Superinten-
dent A. T. Atkinson submitted a new
pharse Of the school book supply qucs-
ton. He said the matter had been a
bone of contention at successive Bes-
sions Of the Legislature for some years
past. A proposition had been agitated
to take the book business out of the
hands of the Board, making 1t cease To
idea was to transfer the business to
some emporium down town. Action
taken by the Legislature in 1896 plac
ed the Board in more difficult posi-
ton for asking appropriations, provi1-
ing as II did that proceeds of book
room sales should go into the public
treasury as government realizations.
The result was that on their face reqi-
sitions for appropriations looked huge
in the eyes of the economical legisla-
tor. There was always kick over the
book bills in the Legislature. In con-
sequence at times the supply had run
short without means for its replenish-
ing.
The Superintendent submitted let
ter from A. f. Gum, a representative
Of the American Book Company with
which the Board had for many years
had contract. He remarked that the
members had all seen the letter, but
Prof Alexander asked that 1t be read
In open meeting. Mr. Atkinson sug-
gested 1t be referred to a committee to
report by Monday. Mr.. Won Holt
wanted 1t discussed then and there. So
the letter was read.
Mr. Gum offered, on behalf of the
company, to take over the stock in
hand. worth about $4,000, at cost and
establish a depository in Honolulu At
this place school books would always
be sold at cost. The company would
issue a special geography with Ha.
waiian supplement to be prepared by
some person who should be selected
later. In case of any reduction in list
prices on the Mainland the Territory
of Hawaii would receive the benefit OF
such reduction. Any books required
for high or normal school work which
were not in the catalogue would be
| In,,,nn1
| Mr.. Won Holt wanted to know, II tn.
Board went out OF the book business
how far would its power go in regulat
ing the course of study.
| Mr.. Atkinson replied that the Boar
must always prescribe the books t
be used in the public schools. WheI
he became Inspector General in 1888
be found most confusing diversity II
school books. In arranging cours
of study then his aim was to make tn
burden of book-buying as light as pos
sible upon parents.
Mr.. Gum being present made a state
ment in answer to question. He ha
no doubt that arrangements woul
be made with dealers in town, but
they failed he was prepared to Civ
bonds In any amount required to full
I'LL the contract. For the past five year
the orders the company had filled 70
the Hawaiian schools had average
$1,000 a year. The private school,
would require about $4,000 worth. The
used pretty much the same books,
primary grades, as the public school
Professor Alexander raised the que'
tion as to whether their successor
might be bound by action taken in II
matter. There was talk Of dividir
the Territory into self-goyerning nun
cipalities.
Mr.. Won Holt thought the Attorn,
General ought to be consulted before
contract was made.
Mr.. Atkinson promised to submit Il
matter to the Attorney General Al
appointed a meeting of the Commi
sioners for 10 o'clock Monday to he
and consider the matter,
Mr.. Won Holt wanted to know II h
impression were correct that arranG
ments with the American Book Cor
pany hitherto had been eminently sati
Is factory.
Mr.. Gibson said: No, they have nj
Addressing Mr.. Gum, he added: Y
would have preferred other systems
writing and you did not have them.
Mr.. Gum said the company now su
piled the vertical system of writing,
Mr.. Atkinson mentioned that vertic
e writing had become discredited in b
e States. 1t was a fad that had be-
taken up.