The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-10
[z:z:2@11gzA&!:;
zy zlzzzzzz

! sa'1aAA-a-3-aS.G tt5@.dx22G21sh
/ by buying them from Messrs. Putnam's
1 Sons large deliveries were madc within
Il week or ten days.
| go to New York and purchase the
books With the knowledge that lie
| would do so through the aid of Messrs.
| Pntnams Sons. The State had uppro-
ducsts for those libraries from many
parts OF the State. The board deter
mined not to consider the personal in
| terests of local Dealers but to fur
nish the libraries at the earliest pos
| sible time. 1t therefore instructed the
librarian to proceed as he did
Mr.. Bells Claim.
As to Mr.. Bells claim that lie could
have furnished the books more cheap
ly. his assertion Is not borne out by his
own evidence. Because OF his request,
the board determined tottry the method
of purchasing by competitive bid The
board took this step with great hesi-
fancy II Is a course in opposition to
the experience and advice OF those
most skilled in the management OF H.
braries.
See Dana's Library Primer" page
&C, and the letter of Mr.. Henry f. Leg
Ter, secretary of the Wisconsin Free
Library Commission, read to the legis-
latire committee.
But it determined to give the matter
4 trial. In January of this year it adj
ries now proposed TO be purchased. MT.
Bell refused to make any bid. Before
the Legislative committee he gavt az his
reasons that the terms of the reQuirtl
said he feared he would not get fair
treatment from the librarian beca--e OF
his having complained OF him. His tes-
timony shows that he was not willing
20 In,. al - ~;
tain edition or a certain imprint,
His unwilinEness to submit to the
terms TO which all bidders are subjected
must be regarded as showing his in
Mr.. Bells ability and disposition to fur
nish books to the library, at prices
cheaper than those at. which theS can be
furnished by others, has been tested. In
January 18th last, he had furnished the
library with thirteen books. The libra
rian wrote TO Two New York firms
Putnam's Sons and Merrill. Baker & CO.
they could furnish those books. spec-
fying them. He gave no information as
to his purpose in making the inquiry,
but simply asked d., at what prices they
/ the books which Merrill. Baker {: Co.
| or Putnanls Sons offered to sell, Mr..
Bell had charged the State higher prices.
When his attention was called 10 his
| The fact that any OF these books could
| have been purchased by the library at
lower prices than those charged by this
company hai nothing whatever to. do
I 10 you. This company is entitled to a
1 legitimate profit on all its sales of books
(; Under such circumstances no great
], weigh. can be given to the opinion Of
| the witness. who claimed that he would
! have sold the travelling libraries to the
/ State more cheaply than they were pur-
chased of AIessrs. Putnam's Sons.
| Mr.. Evans. the assistant librarian. tes-
| tilted that many. of the novels purchased
| for the general traraing libraries in
March. 1906 were bought at too high
4 prices. He made only this general allie
4 CATION. The weight to be given 70 his
4 testimony on this point must be affected
4 by his testimony on other points
/ Gave No Intimation.
/ With this alleged knowledge in his
any rs saSs , ne boara although
! in July. 1866, he called the attention Of
/ one Of the members of the board TO an
other act OF the librarian which he
silence 10 every member of the board
4 as to such prices, he discussed the mat
Ter with outside persons. who were de-
string an Investigation into the conduct
Of tbs Librarian before the legislative
committee. 1t Is true that he claimed
that he gave the information TO one party
under the promise not to disclose It.
But The gentleman 10 whom he made this
claim OF secrecy, denies that it was
made Under such promise. but only IN
der the promise that II the attention of
the legislative committees should be
called 10 II, the charge should not
made in his name. tSee PIP. So and 156
lof the testimony before tho board)
So general a charge, made in such
a. manner, canno, be given much
weight in passing upon the ability
ana integrity OF the librarian.
Mr.. Berkeley, who testified on this
3 subject does moi claim 10 be an expert
In library matters. He based his Views
on the opinions OF two Richmond
6 S@9an 7dg ,dti The testimony from a
, cheaper editions OF the novels pub
9 ltshed BY them. did not equal the bet
Ter eIltons IN paper, type or binding
: q list furnished By. Mr.. Berkeley shows
9 mat even II the cheaper editions had
I been purchased the amount saved on
: only s15.G3. -
y novels listed at $3.50 and pnrcI,a se,
!, at 80 cents which he thought cn,,jf
y; be purchased In Richmond al so cents
y cannot receive much consideration
y when MIR. w. p. Cutter, Of the Fornc,
y Library. III massachusetts, ana ~,
p who bought for the Library Of con,
eFfss Tor years, wrote: II find thu
u standard works OF action have bee,
{ 7
+, price was $3.50 and that works lIste,
=, AT VIE have been purchased for s
y cents. This rate Is per cent. lowe
=, than the usual rate Of discount /,
IL Libraries" Honghton, MIti.in "a 10
= wrote OF books published BY them
= selves; "lf you can SECURE these book
at the prices mentioned, It Seeing /
US that you are most fortunate"
y Testimony of Eggleston.
1t. the testimony Of AIR. Eggieston wa
virtually along the same lines as ms
OF Mr.. Berkeley, VIZ. that cheans
- editions should have been purchase
lie claimed that cheaper editions
To- some instances could have been bougi
20 which, would have proved sutncientl
durable.
an The record shows that An Marc
l9oG, the selection OF the books n
me travelling school libraries was le
he ny The Library Board to the STA
board Of Education. This last nam.
BODY turned over the preparation
nm me llst TO Mr.. EggIeston. Mr.. Ilggle,
ar. Ton Claimed that through unavoidai,
eircnmstances he was unable Is III
nlsn the LIST To the librarian until lai
se III 53epleInDGr,5 after the p,,llin f.snk,,,,