Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-03
SCHOOL BOOKS TOO NUMEROUS
So Argues Faction of Education Boards
Text Book Committee.
SUBJECT WILL Be INVESTIGATED SOON
Member Mcintosh viii Also Propose n
Change in the Formation of
Cadet Battalion, Reducing
Number of Companies.

The text book committee of the Board
of Education is making preparation for a
complete Investigation into the question of
the books now In use in the public schools
of the city, and a large part Of the time
during the summer vacation will be de-
voted TO such work. According to a state
ment made by a member there are two
forces at work on the committee, one of
which desires to reduce the variety OF books
used in the grades to a minimum, and the
other desires to give a large variety OF
books in the same grades. The champions
of the former plan claim that by using but
one book in a grade and insisting upon
thoroughness in the text supplied by this
book. better drill and familiarity with the
subject taught can be secured, while the
friends of the other idea, among whom is
numbered the superintendent of schools,
claim that better results are attained by a
variety Of books, that when a pupil has
completed one text book he can attain bet
fer schooling by studying another author
upon the same subject than by a review OF
the book used at first.
This plan has been carried out to a GER
tain extent in the schools, notably in the
second and third grades, where two kinds
of readers are used. Appleton's readers
are regularly specified for the course of
study, but a few years ago the publishers
OF another text book succeeded In having
their publication introduced experimentally.
and since that time both books have been
used in the same grades.
May Change school Hours.
In addition to a possible revolution in re-
gard to textbooks another change is brew
ing which may cause a decided reduction
OF expenses for the coming school year, and
the recent storm. which damaged two rooms
at franklin school. will be responsible for a
part of the change If 1t Ia made.
when the chimneys were blown through
the roof OF the Franklin school last month"
said a member of the board. lit was found
that little time was lost and the work for
merly occupied by four rooms was confined
20 two for more than two weeks. The
length of the school day was slightly length
ened, and the pupils in the two rooms were
kept but half a day. AS far as can be
learned they received the usual instruction
and teachers worked ne longer than usual.
Now the question to be settled is whether
the work during those two weeks was as
satisfactory as it was formerly. II it is
found that the pupils made as much ad-
vance then as during the same length OF
time In the four rooms 1t is probable that
this experience will be turned to account
and an entirely new time schedule made out
for next year"
Hugh f. Mcintosh, a member Of the
board, will probably introduce a resolution
at the next meeting looking to a reorganiza-
ton of the cadet battalion, and he believes
that all of the trouble growing out of an
alleged lack of guns will be avoided by his
plan. Briefly, 1t is to employ as com
mamdant of cadets a citizen Of Omaha who
has seen service In the Spanish war and
who may be qualified as drill master and
commandant. Then he would have the
formation changed.
Too Many Companies.
at looks to me-" said he, that there are
entirely too many companies at the High
school, considering the number of male
pupils. There are slightly more than 400
boys in the school and there are seven
companies. Under the present formation
of the United States army there are about
100 enlisted men in each company Of full
strength. II the companies at the High
school should be formed on the lines of the
army there would be only four companies.
Since the guns at the school have been re-
paired there are about 200 available for the
cadets. BY dividing the drill hour two
companies could be drilled at one time and
for the purpose Of drill every boy in the
school could be provided with a gun"
The plan of reorganizing the companies
will meet with considerable opposition at
the High school, as it would reduce to the
ranks officers of three companies, and this