The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-23
TAKES SERIOUS TURN.
The School Book Controversy
Is Causing Trouble.

The complications over the school
book controversy are becoming serl-
Gus matter to the public schools OF tne
state. Within the next ten days z5o.vc
children in Kansas will start to scnool
and many of them will be without
books and will not know what DOCKS
to buy.
Supt. Nelson took the matter in hand
this morning and is trying to evolve
plan that will save money for the pa
irons of the state and at the same time
not interfere with the efficiency OF the
schools. He called on Assistant Attor-
ney General West today and asked MIN
If there is not some way in wh1ch the
settlement of the legal complications
which are now tying up the matter can
be FASTENED. and Judge west mas the
matter under consideration.
When Supt Nelson returned TINS
morning from a trip along the santa re
to the extreme southwestern part OF the
state making his annual visits to county
institutes. he found a big bundle of in :
quiries from county superintendent
and other school officials, asking what
could be done regarding school books.
The schools are about to open. and no.
body knows what to do about books
Mr.. Nelson says that same question has
been put at him wherever he has been
during the past week
Il have no interest in the legal con-
troversies over the matter" said Mr.
Nelson today, land I have no desire to
have anything to do with them That
is not my business as state suDer1n~
tendent But 1 do desire to help the
schools and save money for the people
of Kansas.
This controversy has now reached
a point where it concerns more than
the school book publishers. The inter-
ests of the schools are now involved,
and it seems to me there ought to be
some way of settling the quarrelS OF
the publishing houses without Gripping
the schools SO seriously this year.
1ox ho1f <aff q
schools of the state will commence.
There will probably be an average of
five scholars in a district who will need
new books. either because of advance
schools for the first time. The books
which are tied w include the readers
and Biographies two of the most i'm
portant books used. There will prob
ably be 10000 children who will need
new books. It is impossible to procure
the newly adopted books for them. II
their parents buy them the books which
have been in use, the chances are that
new books may have to be purchased
as soon as the courts decide the matter
The courts may decide in favor of the
American Book company, in which case
the company can compel every pupil to
use their books. or if it decides other
wise new contracts may be necessary.
j am anxious that the matter should be
settled as soon as possible. and / pro-
pose to remain right here at my desk
during the next few weeks until after
the schools commence. to attend to the
great amount of correspondence which
is coming in relative to the matter"
1t looks as though the pupils will have
to get along with the old books for the
present. The injunction of the trades
unions against the American Book COM
pany has tied up the 1atter's books in
Topeka until the injunction is argued
and decided. Tt is probable that in most
schools the old readers and biographies
Will be used for the present, and the
people will get along without buying
any more until the courts pass on the
Injunction. AS a consequence thu
school book business will not be as
great as usual at the opening of tn.
schools this fall