The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-26
TEXTBOOK COMMISSION
 CONCLUDES ITS LABORS
Decides Uniform System Of School Books Three Ap- ply to All Cities in the State--Supple-
 mental Books Adopted.

The Alabama Texa Book Commission, after making complete arrangements for the estab- lishment of uniform system of school books in the public schools of the State, adjourned sine die yesterday.
 The Commission decided that the uniform system should apply to the whole State and that no city should be excepted from he work ings of the law. The bill gave the Commis- sion the right to excuse any city having more than 5000 inhabitants from the general sys- tenn of school books adopted by the Commits sion for the whole State. If this was done the Commission had the power to adopt a separ- ate series of books for the city so favared or to endorse series adopted by the local school authorities The school authorities of Birm- ingham. Montgomery and Selma have ex- pressed their qualification at the system adopt ed by the Text Book Commission and at the great reduction of the prices of school books The Commissions action. however. makes 1t incumbent upon all cities in the State to use the adopted books and supplemental books of the State system.
 . This. however. will occasion general dis appointment. Huntsville Is the only city whose school authorities asked to be left out This request was made when the Commission first met and before the adoption of a State system was made. Since the general series of books was adopted nothing has been heard from the Huntsville school authorities.
 The dominant feature of the Commission 8 work, under the law was the reduction of the price of school books, The reduction of at least 50 per cent. has created a most favor able impression in the cities we'll as in the rural communities. This reduction is equal to the highest expectations of the best friends of the uniform text book law.
 School men familiar with the books adopted have commended highly the adopted books Their contents, quality and bindings have been praised. The Commissions work so far has been highly praised.
 Under a resolutio nadopted yesterday twelve months are allowed the cities having separate ed permission is secured for the extension the Commission. Superintendent Hill au- thorized to allow the gradual adjustment of the State system in the schools of the larger cities This was dane because in sorne of the schools the students might be in the midst of some other studies.
 Application for extension of the time must be made in writing to Superintendent Hill. The entire system. however, goes into operation in all cities by June list. 1903 These applications must be made before Au- gust st.
 Two supplemental readers as auXiliaries to the general reading series were adopted by the Commission. They are designed for the ad- yanced classes in reading. The Commission n adopted the Greater Literature of Maynard Merrill & O. and the Greater Classics of B. F. Johnston & Co.
 The Commission secured reduction in the price of the adopted speler of Maynard. Mer- rtn & Co Instead of having to pay 22 cents for the speller the children will have to pay only 20 cents.
 The Commission adopted nine series of sup plemental readers. These series may be used