The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-16

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Spoilers .. ..... $4,000
histories 5O,OOO
All other books ..... ..... 100000
Total ........ 100000
Bids must be in by May 6, and the
state text book commission, which
will pick the winners is as follows: E.
T. FairchiId, Ellsworth, state superin
tendent; Frank Nelson, Lindsborg; D.
Q. McCray, Iopeka; A. B. Carney,
Concordia; w. B. Hall, Kansas City;
Charles Vinsonhaler, Troy; George
Winans, Hutchinson; Willard Lyons,
Lincoln; s. N. Neese, Independence.
People are always interested in the
fight for the state text books con-
tracts because there is always a lurk-
ing suspicion that a scandal is going
to crop out. The big book concerns
are supposed to roll barrels of legal
tender up to the text book commits
sion rooms and attach a spigot and a
placard reading Take Some" And
the charge is sometimes made that in
the past the invitation has been ac-
cepted. ~
Said a man well posted in the situa-
ton: ANY firm inclined to do busi-
ness that way could well afford to pay
SIS, 900 to get the reader contract or
some of those other big contracts
The profits on some of these con-
tracts runs up into big money"
OF course the assumption is that
none of the members of the state text
book commission can be influenced by
the use of money. Most of them are
school teachers and high minded edu-
Gators, not low-lived politicians. But
the fact remains that in times past
the state text book commission has
given to the school children of the
state of Kansas some out-of-date, in
ferior text books. People who under
the state law are obliged to buy these
books are inclined to ask why this
was done, when good books might
have been selected at the same price
The law fixes the maximum price and
all bidders bid the maximum.
Their Work Is Smooth.
There are now twenty or thirty book
agents in Topeka, and by May l. there
will be twice that number. They are
the very smoothest men in the bust
ness. Some of them may have passed
through the fires of corruption in pre-
vious deals. but you can count on 1t |
that they have brains, and understand
how to pull the wires. The big end of
the work of the representative of the |
book house is to know which wires to |
pull, how to get hold, and how hard |
tension the metal will stand.
Bribery and out and out purchase |
of influence is not resorted to by the !
smooth representative of the book |
house unless he has reason to believe |
that the offer would be acceptable, and |
the man can't be reached in any other |
way.
The cheaper, and generally the more |
effective way, with the average mem |
ber of the text book commission, is
to get at him through his friends.
Hence the work of the representative |
of the book house is a good deal of a |
paradox. Sent here at large expense
to present his books to the state text
book commission. he devotes much of
his time to presenting them to the
people who are supposed to be friend
ly with the commission. and to have
influence with the members. Unless
Z fI1a 7fofi Two iC IN h0 Of |
ceptional, and somewhat suspicious
familiarity. he does not really devote
much time to the commissioners them
selves.
Work of this kind. if properly pur-
sued, is not illegitimate. 1t is simply
the way any one who has a definite
object to attain, goes about it. He
seeks to bring influence to bear
Why Kelly Dropped Out.
One of the interesting stories going
the rounds in this connection, Illus
trates how careful book companies
must be in their strenuous desire for
Influence"
Early in the contest it was observed
that T. T. Kelly. ex-state treasurer,
was taking a good deal of interest in
the school book matter The rumor
got out that he was working for Mac
milan, big book house having head
qaurters in New York and London 1t
is said that Kelly was recommended
to this book concern through a Kan
SaS senator as d man VINO unuerStOOu
the political situation in Kansas thor
oughly and would be a valuable ally
in the book contest Kelly had lob
bied for the harvester people and other
interests at the recent session of the
legislature, and was recognized as a
,hrewd and industrious politician.
Acting upon the advice of this Kansas
senator, Kelly was employed, it is said,
to help the Macmillans in their efforts
TO secure the adoption of a series of
Biographies published by that ho;Jse.
But hardly had Mr.. Kelly commenced
to get into the fight. when word was
sent to the house which he represented
that if the house desired to have it's
publications favorably received, it would
10 well to go to work in some other way.
This tip came straight from head
quarters, and the managers of the Mac
milan company acted upon it. Mr..
Kelly now has formed partnership
With Charles Lantry in the railroad !