The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-28
The Cost Of "Co-operation.v

The Cost of Cooperation"
AS appears from careful compilations
and estimates submitted elsewhere, the
people of Washington. in addition TO
the iniquity of having worthless text
books forced upon their children. will
have to pay from $4,000 to 100000 ex-
ira during the next Ave years for the
privilege of corporation between
Mr. Browne and his friends in the
publishing business. The guilt OF this
man In the use that he has made Of
his official position is matched by the
mendacity with which he claims to have
effected a saving 10 the people of the
state. Parents could Ill AFFORD to save
a few cents at the cost OF their chill
dren's education. But the truth is that
they viii be taxed doubly to pay for
Brownies exploitation of his Office, to
favor friends and help along the pub
fishing concern in which he has inter-
ested himself so actively.
The financial loss Is felt all along the
line as is explained In detail in the ex-
haustive article that we publish this
morning. There is a triple loss in the
exchange feature. The exchange prices
fixed are far above the prices permit
ted by statute, and over $4,000 win be
sacrificed to this In the outset. Then,
by manipulating the textbooks to be
used by substituting one costly text
book for two hitherto used and limit
ing the privilege OF exchange as is done
with the physiology. and by curtailing
the time within which exchanges can
pockets of the people. Finally. there
is the immense expense of securing
proper textbooks to be used as sup
Elementary to these miserable make
shifts. Educators everywhere, as shown
by our special Geographic advices Of
yesterday and today, refuse to wrong
the children In their charge by requir
ing them to use these wretched books.
Others must be obtained. on such terms
borne by the public. 1t is obviously i'm
possible 10 estimate accurately the to.
tai bili that the people Of Washington
will have To pay for this outrage OF the
present state administration: but the
sum mentioned, from $4,000 to $500.
600 Is certainly below rather than
above the mark.
These are the money values. The
Nervousness Of the crime. however, IL
appreciated only when we consider the
wrong committed upon the children
They are the worst sufferers. The dol
lars that are filched from the earnings
OF labor by this vile textbook deal may
be replaced. The injury done by COM
pelIing pupils 10 use books that are
unfit for educational purposes Is IRE.
parable This IL the consummate flower
OF the Rogers administration, The PEG.
pie must remember that II stands for
this atr0clty. From the beginning. the
governor has had his eye upon this OPP
rartunity The board that made the
outrage possible was. appointed by him
The man who ruled It's proceedings Is
his chosen candidate. the only member
of his administration associated With
him on this ticket He has no word Of
repso9f or disavowsL
The soandalous Job is worthy OF lts
psrentase. Upon the people win fan
the tremendous money cost cf 81. In a
iarsess 70 be bestowed upon favorites
and members * the combine Upon
them also rests TIRE duty q rebuNiag
these tranickers in the honor Of the
state and The future a. us rising gen
Grafton.