The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-11-17
CUN|RAC
UNSIGNED
Book Trusts Schemes
Are a T allure As Yet.
BOARD NOT IN ITS CLUTCH
Superintendent Atkinson Makes a
Statement Of the Status Of
the Matter.

Alatau Il. Atkinson. Superintendent
OF Fubhc instruction, stated yesterday
10 an Advertiser reporter that the con-
tract Tor supplying school books to the I
pubic schools OF Hawaii had not been
let 10 the American Book COMPANY
which held the original contract given
four years ago. The proposal of Mr.. A
r. Gum, who represents the American
Book Company which was presented 10
the Board OF Education on Thursday
afternoon for consideration. was car |
ried-up to the Attorney General hut no |
contract has yet been made.
Mr.. Atkinson made the following
statement:
AT yesterdays meeting I did not
give out the letter Of Mr.. Gum be-
cause thought II was a matter of
courtesy 10 submit II to the Attorney
General before u was given to the pub
lic' Having submitted II TO the Attor-
ney General to-day there Is no objection
Whatever to making the contents Of IL
public.
II have no desire to keep anything
BACK that the public should know.
That II the ground upon which I al
ways go. My reason for suggesting
that this contract should be entered in
to Is because we wish to 60 out of the
business OF keeping a bookstore in the
Board OF Education. Such a thing is
not conducted by other Boards of Edu-
cation In the United States as far as
am able 10 ascertain. The reason for
doing so here In the past was on ac-
count OF the abnormal conditions
Those conditions have passed away
and we ought TO be relieved of very
unpleasant duty.
ITO obtain the results that we desire
we must make n contract with some
one so as 10 hold prices down and the
contract which Mr.. Gum has offered
seems 20 be fair and reasonable prop
osition.
The public as represented Is to be
protected In the matter OF prices and
the only way II can be done Is by con-
tract. This proposition agrees to sell
books nj the same prices they are sold
ut In the United States and II the
prices are reduced elsewhere we will get
the benefit Of II also"
Following Is a copy OF Mr.. Gums
proposition:
Honolulu. ". T.. November n. 1900
To the Honorable the Board OF Education
o. the Territory OF Hawaii.
Ladies' and Gentiemen:-whereas the
contract now existing between the Terri
tory Of Hawaii and The American Book
Company will expire on the 18th day of
February next. and whereas the Terri
tory now has large stock OF books on
hand amounting 20 about s6.O0oO0 and II
has been stated that your Honorable
Board r. DESTROYS OF dlsposing OF the
handling OF said books. and place same in
the hands OF the dealers: now therefore,
We propose follows:
We will take from the Territory all oi
the stock Of books now on hand. allowing
you cost prices for same and we will Gre
ate n depository In the City OF Honolulu
that will carry complete stock Of tn,
books which may be required for Use "
the Public Schools Of the Territory.
We further agree 20 supply said books
from our publications. and have then
sold 90 the school districts. or pupils. Of
other purchasers OF the Territory as the,
are now supplied by your Honorable
I Board.
We also agree that the prices shall b,
\ maintained and shall never exceed tina
\ OF contract rates. That your Honorable
\ Board viii have the privilege. at any time
D 20 select any books from our catalogu
that they may wish TO have used In tn
public schools OF the Territory. We will
\ also agree 20 give you special edition
y OF n geography with n special supple
complied and written by some party o
parties IN the Territory who may be here
after agreed upon. and we TO pay the ex
pcnse OF having said work done. Pro
vided. however;
That we shall enter into n new contrac
with your Honorable Board for five
years or more as you may designate
Some OF the books that you have In us
may be desirable TO continue In use In tn
q public schools: would suggest. however
y that ~ might be well 10 displace other
y with some Of our more recent and mod
\ crn publications. The children In the pull
Z nc schools Of Hawaii. NJ the present tim
z and for the past five years. have bee
& purchasing their books at the prices this
3 the same books are supplied TO the pul
\ lic school children In New York. Boston
\ Washington. baltimore. Philadelphia
4 Chicago, san Francisco. and all 9TH
4 parts Of the United States. We agree tn
In case Of any reduction In list prtc'
y should be made nj any time that the TIE
y. ritorv Of Hawaii shall have the full be
," EFT Of the same
- As you are aware. we publish n very p
tonsive list OF school and college te
books. our list being In the neighborho'
81 iOo titles. including every class
books that can be desired for use In n
or an grades % schools should you. no.
ever. require at any time any books Z
use IN High or Normal schools and =
published by as. we viii supply the sar
at cost price.
n AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY.
~ by A. r. Gum,
~ Attorney-in- fact
Following n n copy OF the original &C
tract entered into by the Board OF I'd
n.