The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-10

ears of some members Of the library
board that the method of purchasing
books for the Virginia State Library WINS
being criticized by ourselves and other
houses in the local book trade. We wish,
therefore,, to acQuaint the board with the
nature of our criticism, so that they may
know exactly our position in the prem
ises.
From estimates made from your records,
1t would appear that in the neighborhood
of fifteen thousand dollars has already
been spent under the present regime for
BOOKS OF this amount considerably less
than one thousand dollars has been spent
in Richmond or Virginia the balance
having been spent in the North. In pur-
chasing these books. never once has a
local dealer been asked to make n bid.
That there Is absolutely no doubt as to
this being a money-losing policy for the
State can be demonstrated by reference
to other bids on similar books, now on
record.
Recently several large purchases of
books have been made by the library
under the act appropriating money for
travelling Libraries. These purchases, wo
understand, amount to about thirty-fve
hundred dollars. of which amount not
one cent was spent here at home. We
were not cognizant even that the jmn,e-
date purchase Of these books was con-
templated. The writer had an interview
with the librarian. who gave as his
reason for getting these books in tho
North the necessity for getting them
promptly. AT the tinle OF this interview
the writer did not know the exact char
acter of the books bought. He has since,
however, examined the list carefully, as
we'll as the books and invoices of the
concern from whom the book, were
bought. and he can state positively that
there would have been no difficulty in
furnishing a Thousand or more of the
books listed within one week after the
order was placed, n at a less price,
1t strikes us that II the librarian real,-
desired to patronlze the home houses, he
could have demonstrated his Willingness
to do so by asking Information of them
as to their ability to meet the require
ments in filing this particular order.
We had a number OF these books on our
shelves, and IL the librarian had ap.
preached us before making the purchase,
he could have shown his further willing
ness to buy the books at home by taking
such as we or the other dealers had on
our shelves, under our guarantee to meet
prices that he might obtain elsewhere.
AS a matter OF fact, a number OF the
books purchased by him in the North
yield very nearly 100 per cent. profit.
In the writer's talk with the librarian,
the latter stated that it was his inten-
ton to advertise for the next lot of books
to be furnishGl the State Library. We
feel, however, that n great wrong has
been done both the State Of Virginia and
the book-dealers of Virginia, and we
cannot help entering "a strong protest
against the discrimination heretofore
shown in the favor of Northern dealers.
We request that the matter be inves-
tigated, and that the other Virginia deal
ers and ourselves be given IN opportunity
to demonstrate that we can deliver books
as promptly as Northern dealers and at
prices lower than are being paid under
the present system.
We hope this matter will appear to ycu
of sufficient Importance as 20 warrant
some action upon Your part.
Yours very respectfully,
THE BELL BOOK AND STATION
r co Tnr.