Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-24
MILLIONS TO FOSTER SOUTHERN
EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL LITERATURE
ED

You ask me-" replied Mr. William c.
Chase, chairman OF the general commit
tee on organization. ETC.. Ito give an out
line OF the undertaking or movement TO
establish a vast book mandatory and
publishing house in the south? Well
IL you VIII let me ask questions. such as
have been asked me. in substance. from
Maryland to Texas. and answer them
from information. data and facts, will
consent TO attempt an outline. But let
me say In the beginning. that when an out
line is attempted upon a matter involving
such extensive interests 70 the people OF
great section of the union. great in terri
tory and importance matter upon
which 1 have stacks of letters from the
educators. writer's. ministers. and bus
mess men OF the south. no easy task Is
assumed. volume could be written and
yet the matter would not be as thoroughly
covered as its grave Importance demands.
I will, however, make the effort to con-
dense a few OF the leading or principal
features: the general committee VIII be
glad to hear from al who are interested
and viii give full Information. The pro-
visional headquarters are located In the
Empire building, Atlanta. l will catechise
and reply.
What is the general and school popula-
ton OF the Southern states?
Former, about twenty-five million; lat
ter. nearly nine million.
Who writes the books for the school
children and where are they published2
.'Over nfnety-flve per cent. Of these
books are written by persons who appar-
emily are ignorant OF or Indifferent to the
requirements Of educational interests Of
the South. Less than one per cent. OF the
books are manufactured OF published in
the South.
What does II cost to keep up the one
hundred thousand schools in the south;
how much is paid out for books?
About thirty millions are appropriated
annually 10 maintain the schools. Esti-
mating books at one dollar per pupil (and
many expend nearly ten dollars per year
for books), you can estimate the amount
paid out for books.
us ii true that books are forced upon
the schools and many poor children are
kept away because Of the expense Of
books?
II viii make the statements, and the
conclusions are apparent. There are over
five thousand different kinds Of text books.
The agents and allies Of school book pub
fishers assert that publishers are in the
book business for the sake of charity, and
therefore to be successful philanthrophists
they must sell all the books they can.
Yes. we know of cases where large num-
bers Of children are kept away from the
Lree Schools anu peep ONtk NhC
shoulders OF their more fortunate mates,
because OF the expense Of School books.
AS school hooks are the tools used by
the school authorities. and as these books
contain the lessons taught this vast army
OF future citizens. 5,0o0.oe Il would seem
that these authorities should correct all
defects-
While books are the tools OF the
schools, (and at present the school is the
tool OF the book and simple logic proves
that the texts in the books are the les
sons taught, and that these. lessons are
unsatisfactory. and the whole educational
system is undermined in consequence, yet
the school officials cannot correct the de-
feet II is a sort OF Hobson's Choice
with them. Like army officers, they can
only use the material supplied by the gov
eminent.
Then why don't the people who own the
government. the army Of children, and the
home machinery, come to the rescue?
That is exactly what this movement is
designed 10 accomplish. II proposes to
have the people act, and use their rights
and powers. They alone can correct the
evfl.
How viii the people do this?
BY having such books as our ablest
Il teachers and educators can write, manu-
featured in the south and placed in COM
petition on their merit as to contents,
construction and price. Such books viii
win. for the people viii see to it that all
legitimate claims OF such books are de-
Tended against fraudulent practices Of ev-
cry kind.