The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-12
ADVANTAGES AND DlSADvANT-
AGES DISCUSSED AT MEETING
THIS MORNING.
Prominent Educators Took. Part in
Discussion-Funny Story or Two
Added Interest to Meeting.

Teachers in attendance at the insti-
tute and several directors of county
school boards were treated to able dis
cussions on the advantages and dis
advantages of the free text book sys-
tenn at a meeting held at the court
house this morning. The principal
speaker of the session was J. H. Ack-
erman, state superintendent of schools
of Oregon. Superintendent Alderman
summed up his address by stating that
he was in favor of the free text book
system if applied to counties but was
against it if a uniformity of books
were to be used throughout the state.
From his point of view the advant-
that books were always available and
there was no delay in starting child
to school by reason of lack of books
or inability of a parent to furnish
them. Friction between the home and
school was largely eliminated. Books
could be purchased much cheaper as
book concerns would be able to sup
ply in large lots. The disadvantages
he pointed out was the question of
sanitation and the loss Of interest a
parent might sustain in the schools
were they not called upon directly to
furnish means for the education of
their children. The speaker discussed
many sides of the question and his
arguments pro and con were closely
followed by his audience.
System Success at Waitsburg.
Professor James Chapman, principal
of the Waitsburg schools, strongly ad-
vocated free text books as the system
had been in use in the Waitsburg
schools for four years with great sue
cess. About 400 pupils are attending
the Waitsburg schools he said and the
cost of books during that time had not
exceeded $3.50 for the four years
The books were in an excellent state
of preservation, about $50 being prac-
ticaliy new. He said it was doubtful
if Waitsburg would ever go back to
the old system.
Professor Chapman stated that the
free text book system had been given
a thorough trial in his old home in
Minnesota, where ne began his school
work, and the system is still in vogue.
The professor recalled, how, during
the cary days, it was almost impos-
sible to inaugurate new features in
school work owing to the old fashioned
notions of the school boards. He
jocularly recalled the time when he
first started to teach in a little back
woods district in Minnesota. The
desks provided for the scholars were
smooth slabs from the saw mills
ranged up against the walls about
the school rooms. Seats were made
of logs split in two with wooden pegs
for legs. 1t was hard work to con-
vince the directors that something
more convenient should be provided
for the scholars and he said the same
thing applied in getting the public to
take a proper view of the advantages
Of the free text book system.
Hartranft Like the Dutch Judge.
W. G. Hartranft of Seattle, ex
superintendent of King county schools,
said he had heard so many able argu
ments advanced on both sides of the
question that he was like the old
Dutch judge who was called upon to
try case.
The counsel for the plaintiff ne said
presented such a strong case that at
the conclusion of his argument the
old judge wagged his head and re-
marked THAT man must be right"
The opposing counsel presented his
side of the case equally as strong.
When he finished his plea the old
judge remarked again, That mon
must be right too. I dismiss the case
and sharge the costs up to the con-
stable who served the warrant"
Mr. Hartranft followed by address
ing the meeting on the subject of
Decentralization of the Rural Schools"
which was highly appreciated by the
attending school directors.