The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-25
OKLAHOMA
TEXT BOOK
TROUBLES
Letting the Bill Die Shifted
the Battle Ground.
FREE FOR ALL NOW
Each District May Contract for
Books 1t Like,

Guthrie, o. T, March A.-Oklahona'
text book troubles did not cease wher
Governor Ferguson failed to take actor
upon Cummin's text book bill passed
by the legislature, letting it expire by
Limitation. In reality the text book agi-
tation which has been on in Guthrie
during the session of the legislature and
up TO this time is only a starter FOL
what is to come during the summer
months, and which will establish prec-
edent heretofore unknown in text book
affairs in the territory.
The fact that there is now no text book
law on the statute books means that
every school district in Oklahoma will be
canvassed by agents Of book concerns in
efforts TO secure contracts from the varl-
Gus boards OF directors for books to be
used in the districts. Members of school
boards will be besieged to adopt certain
books and make contracts for the same.
There is no law regulating the prices to
be paid for these books. In fact, almost
any price can be charged, and it will be
up to the ger to foot the bill. There
will be no uniformity of books, and when
pupils move from one district TO the other
they viii ascertain that new books must
be purchased, or they cannot attend
school. There will be uniform prices for
exchanging books, and what will be done
with the old books is a problem that will
have to be confronted.
Representatives of book concerns are
now focking to the territory to secure
contracts. The rivalry will be intense
Already a number of these representa-
tives have been in Guthrie and have
closely looked into the situation as it now
exists. CHM & Co. The American Book
Co, Allen s, Bacon, Crane & Co, Mayn-
ard, Merrill & Co., Johnston & Co, D. D.
Heath & Co., and the Macmillan COM
pany are looking for business in Okla
homa- There are some contracts with
cities of the first-class in existence at this
time. The majority of these contracts
are held by the American Book company,
but as far as holding to the various
boards of education to the contracts.
should they care to break it, is considered
impossible. and should they care to con-
tract with other book concerns they have
the power to DO so regardless of the ex-
listing contracts.
Il know what I am talking about when
I say that practically every school dis
trict in Oklahoma viii be canvassed by
agents of various book concerns to secure
contracts" said resident of Guthrie to-
day, who is Zip on the school book ques-
ton Members of school boards viii be
asked TO contract for books with one con-
cern. Later. another agent will come
along, call the board together and make
another contract This may be kept I'D
all summer. There is no uniformity of
books or prices. as there is no law in Ok
lahoma bearing upon the matter. The
board itself viii hardly know what books
will be used when the time comes for
school to open. If any member of the
board desires 10 make a little money on
the side he VIII undoubtedly have an op-
portunity If he works for the letting of a
contract which had been given to rival
concern. ! do not say that bribes will be
given, but unscrupulous men will have
an opportunity to get in their work, I'M
der the conditions that exist at the pres
ent time. This situation reminds me Of
what once existed in an adjoining state
and then agents for book companies trav-
eled over every school district and in
some cases hauled their text books with
them, exchanging for books furnished by
some rival concern
Governor Ferguson was undoubtedly up
against hard proposition when he had
the book bill under consideration. one
crowd of men wanted the bill signed. An
other lot Of men wanted it killed ad
killed" mighty dead. It died, and now
free-for-all race for contracts is on. Uni
formity Of books and prices might have
meant saving to the people of the ter
l1tory. 1t is questionable whether prices
as low as the contract would have called
for will prevail.