The Opelousas courier., 1901-10-26
The Exchange of Books.

Under the above head we pub
lished last week an article from
which we make the following ex-
tracts:
Gov. Heard, who, it is well known, has taken
very lively Interest In tho matter of getting
school books at the lowest prices and exchang-
ing the old ones on the best terms possible, said
on this point in an interview last weok:
"Old books may be exchanged for new ones
OF the same grade at fifty per cent on their
value. Old books need not be perfect and spot
less. In reason, they ought to be books that
the child could use, II new author were not
chosen under the new contract. This is q fair
criterion and the publishing houses will he
compelled to make the exchange on this basis.
We have q fine system of books, undcr a good
contract, we'll safe-guarded. and every point
covered"
The Baton Rouge Advocate having had its
attention called to the matter, made some III
quiries of Mr.. Hansell, the State representative
of the publishing houses who are to furnish the
books, and gives the following extract from
circular issued to sub-agents by him:
''1n making exchanges do not take parts of
books, or, in fact. take only such books the
condition of which ia such that the pupil could
use 1t were it not for the change"
Commenting further on the subject in the
same article the Advocate says:
"A matter about which there has been some
complaint is the books i'll exchange. The only
requirement. is that the old books should be
"usabe." The backs may be off and it may be
the worse for wear. but If the child could use it,
had it not been eliminated as a text book, 1t
may be exchanged for q new one that has been
adopted by the board, by paying SO per cent of
the price of the latter"
Now, this looks fair enough, and it looks clear
enough, but the two Opelousas agents who
have the books for sale aver that they have
been instructed 10 take no Oook in exchange
unless it is in a very good condition, and will
take none that has name written in it or that
has writing on the margins. One of these
dealers says that purchasers bringing books to
exchange must pay IN cash the fni price @ OF the
the agent in New Orleans, and wait for his fifty
per cent discount until the agent examines the
book aud accepts it. II accepted, the book will
be paid for; il rejected, 1t Will be returned to
the purchaser.
Such regulations, if enforced, are going to
cause a world OF trouble, and the contract with
the State Board of EducatiGh. wherein it is
stipulated that "old books" will be received in
exchange will be rendered almost valueless and
nugatory u
On the 23d inst. we received a.
note from Messrs. F. T. Hansell
& Bro, enclosing copy of a letter
sent to their aeaDtg here. Both
follow:
New Orleans october %, '0l.
Editor OPELOUSAS COURIER,
Dear Sir:-Our attention has been called TO
an editorial in your paper of recent issue with
nectIon Herewith we enclose copy OF letter we
have written to our agents on the subject
We trust you will tind same satisfactory
F. F. HANsELI. & BRO, Ltd
Copy Same to Mason McBride)
october 20. 'O1.
Mr.. Aaron Jacobs, Opelousas, La
Dear Sir:-Our attention has been called to
an editorial iu the OPRLoUsAs COURIER of
recent date entitled THE Exchange of Books"
From if npDplFR that do not clearly
understand the method of exchange, or rather,
the character of books which you are permitted
to take in exchange.
In brief, we would say that the extracts in
the editorial referred 10, taken from an inter
view with the Governor and all article in the
Baton Rouge Advocate, fully cOper Me question,
and if you will make exchanges In accordance
Herewith, we unhesitatngiy agree 10 protect
you in doing SO.
1t you desire any further information in the
matter, please advise us at once, as there is no
reason why there should be any criticism on.
the plan OF exchange adopted. The publishers
are disposed to be extremely liberal IN L such
matters; we are acting for them, and II you
will take mp old books in such condition as
mentioned IN the article referred to we agree To
give you credit therefor in accordance with
''-' ''''' T. F. HANsELL & BRO. Ltd
This is perfectly clear and en-
tirely satisfactory. It simply
means that these agents, on pay
ment of so per cent Of the price
of the new books, are required to
accept in exchange books in use
in our public schools during the
last term, provided such books
are "usable;" that is, that they
are in such condition as that
they could be used again, had
they not been discarded, even
though the backs were off, and
that Messrs. Hansell will ''pro-
tect" them, i. e., pay them for
all such books so accepted.
None but books used in the
public schools during the last
term are subject to exchange, and
these only for new books of like
kind and grade; and teachers will
be expected to furnish a list of
such books to the dealers from
whom their pupils will procure
the new ones.
We trust that the local dealers
will be as liberal as the publish
ers and that they will facilitate as
much as possible the prompt
placing of the new books in the
hands Of the children-a process
which, under the most favorable
circumstances, will be likely to
consume at least weeks time.
eHhn Hanru w Grady Literary