The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-01

Sss.ASS bOSS@DAS
less than a billion Of dollars to furnish
each Of tho fifteen million American
voters with library consisting OF $50
volumes. You declared that these books
would compare favorably with the best
specimens OF the printers art. In BRIEF,
you claimed that at an expense OF SGT
the government could print. bind and dis
tribute 100 h sh grade books. That was
your statement: was It not?'
That was what said.' admitted COL
onel Monroe. "Doductirg the average ex-
pense of distribution. these books would
cost about 40 cents apiece. agreed to
supply as good books as commonly re-
tall for 81 a volume. In other words, the
use OF this billion would give each Amer
lean family as good collection OF books
as can now be purchased for 5000.
thought this would be moro practical
scheme than to spend an equal amount
Of money in library Buildings, or. for
that matter. for any purpose which can
be named
If you could keep your promise IT
would be the grandcst Investment ever
made In the history OF the world,'' de-
clared Judge Sawyer; "but am afraid
your forty cent books would not con-
form to n very high standard OF mechani-
cal or artistic excellence. But let US
hear your PLAN"
eve are all agreed, believe" said
Colonel Monroe that It is the hooks a
man owns and which are ever within the
reach Of his family that do the most
good The nero presence OF bound VOL
umes Inspires longing for knowledge.
The public library Is ali very we'll in its
place. but the educated, progressive, or
derby and prosperous community is the
one In which Its citizens read their own
books at their own hearthsldes.' said
that II had a billion OF dollars I would
turn 1t over to the conscience fund OF
the general government. With n recon-
imendation that It be expended for books,
and In their free distribution have fig
ured on fifteen million sets OF 100 books
will admit that-but one can do wonders
with billion Of dollars. It does not go
so very far In n war, which involves the
destruction of life and property, but I
shall try to convince you that II VOID
work the marvels Of magic when de-
voted to so grand purpose as the pro-
ducton of books You are suspicious
about the quality Of tho materials and
workmanship In my proposed forty cent
books Let mo show you something.
Here Is book recently purchased while
In New York, Look It over carefully"
Colonel Monroe handed to tho Judge n
cloth bound copy OF "Ivanhoe." Judge
Sawyer examined II critically, It was
printed on fairly good paper, tho type
was clear and the Impressions excellent.
There were numerous illustrations on
better grade OF paper, The binding was
plain, but strong and serviceahlo The
Judge remarked that 1t looked like a book
which might have been bought at a spe-l
clal sale for dollar,
II am free to admit, however," he
saId, as he turned over the pages. 'thnt
It looks as well ns many books for which
] have paid dollar md n half or two
dollars each. How much did It cost you
Colonel?"
TWENTY-FIVE cents, wns tho nnrwer.
~ bought; a,set a six them fora doll y
#Then they were sold at loss de-
clnred the astonlshed J dye,
''rhey were not sold ut loss" return
ed Colonel Monroe. IT made nh lnynsti-
Cent Cent mid throN distinct .'rrofts. The
manufacturer MAIDEN profit, the 'obher
took out his CO.. mssIon and the ret,i or
%SS TSa q ce ons a ts q 1855 IA II h INIT
exceed exec eleven cents d copy.
ses VII o nsf a'pu's Xru st f sawy n"s
ifWhat 1ustif flea on Is thee for oharging
sl,50 or So for the o binary work OF fic-
ton biography or ira cls2'
1.-THE same Justification that there Is foS