The San Francisco call., 1906-11-10

very concern that profited so much as a
result.
The advantages which the trust
has enjoyed in the sale of high school
texts and supplemental books in the
grammar grades are the subject OF
searching Investigation. The friendship
shown by superintendent Alfred Rom
COVERT and A. Altman, president Of
the Board of Education. for the Ameri-
can Book Company, the proper name OF
the trust" is a matter that is also be-
ing given thorough consideration.
"TRUsTv GETS BUSINESS.
Langdon is able to deal with the in
vestigation with high degree of In
telligence gained while he served as
School superintendent. 1t was during
his incumbency OF that office that the
notorious text book deal was put
through that first brought to light the
fact that Abe Ruef, through Altman.
who is his brother-in-law was busy In
the School Department in the interests
of the trust" BY means Of this bold
coup the American Book Company has
since enjoyed the lions share Of the
book selling business Of the city's pub
lie schools.
At the opening of the fall term two
years ago the teachers of the high
schools were surprisedsto receive new
list of text books from Altman. The
principals and teachers had previously
conferred and prepared their lists of
books the students were to use during
the year. only a few changes being
made from what had been used in the
previous terms Altmann's list was al
most an entire change, and the signifi-
cant feature was that every book that
supply was found thereon. The
changes in favor of the trust" num-
bered thirty-three, and the amount of
it's business was increased from $4,000
to $4,000 a year in the high schools
alone.
Some of the bolder teachers made
protest at the time, but. with a
few exceptions, their complaints did
not avail. The only satisfaction they
received was the answer that Alt
mann's word was final In the matter.
The children were compelled to buy
their books anew in large measure, de-
spite the clamorings of teachers
against the inferior works that were
forced upon them.
TEACHERS PROTEST IN VAIN.
When the school term opened this
year the principals Of the high schools
asked If they might not use other and
superior books But they were given
to understand that objections were fu-
lllE anu lHdl . AlSt Oi lAuSl
books must stand.
District Attorney Langdon is cred
tied with the statement that he does
not believe that the other members of
the board, including even Roneovieri, at
first knew anything of that change in
text books that Altman sprang on the
department so suddenly and inoppor-
tunely. The hand of Abe Ruef was
seen plainly In the transaction, and the
close social. business and political rela-
tions he has maintained with the
agents of the trust" added to the con-
firmation of the suspicious that were
aroused.
case of imposition exists. Copy books
of the American Company's make are
sold to the children at 10 cents apiece.
Books of the very same quality are to
be had in the market for 8 cents. The
instructions of the board are that none
otEer but the "'trust" copy book can be
used.
| Langdon has been quietly working
| for some time on the impending up
| heaval in the department. When he
was superintendent one of his deputies
was A. II. Suzallo, who Is now a mem
| Der of the Stamford University fac
ulty. Suzallo has come to the city and
held frequent conferences with the Dis
trict Attorney and is believed to be
giving his assistance in the investiga-
| tion of the book graft.