The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-03-01
Text Book Controversy.

The Tribune, judging by its last ISSUE
seems somewhat exercised over the pos
sibility of repeating the existing "splen
did uniform system of school tex
books" and that the American Bool
| company, may through its agents, cor
rupt and swindle the people of the state
| To start with | will say that / have
not seen an agent of that or any Other
book company, Except the WestlanG
company which has the present con
tract), for years, nor do / know theil
wishes, but as | have been somewhat
interested in text books, prices and
quality of books, and not much of a
believer in estate uniformity, | have
investigated the matter here somewhat
and will give few figures by way OF
information and comparison:
The present text books, a complete
outfit from first to eighth grades inclu-
sive), cost the patrons SS.07, after max
ing the discount of 335 per cent. which
we are supposed to enjoy. Looking
over catalogues I find that other series
covering the same grades may be had
at S7'72, S713, S7.S9, S7.53, S7.73, etc,
and this from the retail catalogue lists,
without discounts.
What would these prices be if a dis
count of 20 per cent. was made, which
any of these companies offer if pur-
chased by free school districts or under
county uniformity?
Again, the present readers for six
grades cost the patrons of Shelton ST.
after being discounted. Now, any per-
son in Shelton may send and get at re-
tail, postpaid, Harvey's at S1.19, Apple
toms Sl.36, Barnes S1.75, McGufy's
(revised) $1.49, Harper's $169, New.
Graded, S1.37, Sanders $500, Sheldon's
Sl.37, Wilson'S S1.64, Swinton's S1.6S,
Watson's S1.66, all at regular catalogue
prices in the open market, free to be
purchased by any individual. These
books are revised and down to date and
have stood the test of years; are better
bound, better texts and more pages.
Again, the present spelling book
costs the people 20 cents. Would it be
any crime to send to the American
Book Co., and purchase .McGuffy's
speller for 17c, Watson's, Rice's, San
der's Union, Sheldon's primary, or
Swinton's for 18c, Shoupe's. for, 19c,
Watson's, Harrington's or Metcalfs for
zoe, Wilson'S primary, l5c, complete,
24c. This in open market at retail,
shipping paid by company.
Again, Krohn's Physiology, one of
the present books, a good one Of 224
pages, sells at 75c, while Overton's, an
other new book of 416 pages, sells at so
cents. It is evident that the cost has
not been abbreviated in ratio to the
size.
That Geography, the eighth wonder
OF of the world, is without comparison
as to price, text or arrangement, and
costs so cents, while other books can
not be had for less than 81, but Just
think, all the grades. must study from
the same book.
In 1890 before the law limiting the
prices to 663 of the then cost of books
was passed, the cost was $1,000 for a
complete outfit. In 1895 the books
cost SS.37, after being discounted.
Other series were offered in 1895 for
$40 and $500. Looking over the bids
at the state superintendent,s office of
last year find that other series than the
one adopted at $S.07 might have been Sc
lected at S7.35, $40, S7.64. etc., all lar
ger books and generally better bound,
to say nothing of the text.
Summarizing, find, first, that the
books adopted in 1890, 1895 and 1900,
Were not cheaper than in the open
Second, that immediately
after the law was passed 1898 limiting
the price to $50 retail and one-fifth
cost of original book in exchange, that
the book companies offered state edition
much reduced in value, because they
were free from competition. Practically
the only concession made by the
book companies was on the ex-
change, and that they could well afford
to do. Third, that the boards of 1895
and 1900 did not comply with the law
in regard to the $50 discount, as the
books aggregated in cost about four
fifths or more of the 1900 prices.
Now under my bill, which calls for
county board to consist of the county
superintendent, two leading teachers
and two tax payers appointed by the
county commissioners, they are as able
and and asliable to get as good books
as any state board and at as CHEAP a
price. believe that 36 boards would
be more difficult to t'flim-faln'' than to
secure three out of five members of the
state board, and further, if one county
board makes mistake, it effects that
county only and not the whole state.
Another feature that is beneficial is
that each county may get the books
best suited to its conditions.
Ny bill does not seek to destroy the
existing contract but provides for the
adoption OF books that are lacking,
also srira1,lp,,, ~, 4,,.,, 49,