The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-02
THE SCHOOL BOOK BUSINESS.

THE SCHOOL BOOK BUSINESS.
On Monday next a most influential
and powerful state commission will
convene for a ten days session for the
purpose of awarding fve-year contracts
Tor the printing of the text books for
the use Of the Kansas public schools
The commission, composed Of men
representing all parties, is as follows:
Frank Nelson. chairman, Lindsbors;
Fremont Leidy, Leon; Edmund Stanley.
wichita. d. f Shirk, Cottonwood
Falls; H. F. NJ. Bear, wellington; D. o.
MoCray. Topeka; Edwin Taylor, Ed
wardsvine; H. F. Sheldon, Ottawa; A.
=. Carney Concordia-
The far-reaching work Of the Kan
sas textbook commission is hardly re-
allied by the casual reader This body
OF men has in its control the placing OF
a million dollars worth of contracts.
Such are the duties and powers con-
ferred upon the members by law that
they can require every pupil in this
great state to study books published
In New York or some other state in the
union, rather than books manufactured
by Kansas labor and Kansas capital
for Kansas people
kansas mas d SDltnQ4u GtAACOA BOcAN
law. That is, it is splendid for the
public. There are book organizations
and book publishers who do not like
this law. To be plain about it, they
hate 1t. Under this law a certain kan
sas textbook is sold at retail in kan
sas for A cents. The same book is
-old in other states for 80 cents.
Topeka and Kansas just now form the
battle ground for a tremendous school
book fight The lines have been formed
Tor many days and on Monday the first
clash may come. The outcome of this
contest, and there are giants at least on
one side. but the right is on the other
is Of untold concern to the great masses.
If the Kansas law can be repealed or
nunifed there viii be great rejoicing at
the expense OF Kansas parents. Outside
book interests have representatives here
who are watching this fight. These rep
resentatives are confined to no one po-
ltical party The book war here viii be
one Of the hottest in the whole country
because so much depends upon it. Pub
fishers in Kansas have proven that they
can produce good books at lower prices
than have prevailed elsewhere; in some
cases fifty per cent lower.
The Kansas school book law IS build
ing up some strong publishing houses in
different portions of this state. Crane &
Co. during the last five years have pub
lished probably twenty per cent of the
school books. The State Printing house
has issued a percentage of them. A
Winfield firm has published a share and
a Parsons concern has printed a portion.
Several of these houses have for lack
Of facilities been obliged to contract
with certain firms outside Kansas for
the production of the books. It is un-
fortunate that a few OF these special
contracts have resulted in inferior books
but the Kansas houses have been rap
idly getting into shape to produce any
desirable quantities and the very best
quality. In connection with certain
books published in Topeka by Crane X
Co.. it is worthy of note that N per
cent of the retailers of the state Of
Kansas who handle the Topeka publica-
tons say there has been no dissatisfac-
ton. The complaints have been confn-
ed to books published by houses outside
of the state.
Kansas publishers have not only been
increasing their plants from mechani-
cal standpoint. but have arranged with
Kansas authors and artists in preparing
new books which are announced TO be
the very best to be found anyN here.
The position which this paper takes
Is that books as good as any others.
and written by Kansas people set up
by Kansas printers, and issued by Kan
sas publishers. should be used in Kan
sas schools. We are in favor Of home
industry; other things being equal the
Kansas publishers should be given the
benefit Of the doubt.
There are eight or more concerns out
side of the state of Kansas lighting for
these book contracts against firms
located in Kansas at Topeka. Winfield
and at other points of the state.
The people Of Kansas should support
this commission in it's efforts to do the
best things possible for Kansas people
and Kansas publishers.