The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-12
STORM LULlED
IN BOOK MATTER
Peaceful Sessionof Com
mittee Followed by Re-
cess TillFebruary S.
MR.. j. p. KENNEDY
DID NOT TESTIFY
Said He Was Willing to Go On
Stand Any Time Committee
Wanted Him-Mr. Eggles-
tons Examination as
to Single List
Completed.


tho proceedings before the schoolbook
investigating committee yesterday, the
body having determined TO defer the FUR
ther examination OF Librarian j. p Ken
nedy until February 9th. to which date
nn adjournment was taken.
Superintendent Joseph ID. Eggleston,
Jr,, was recalled. and completed his tcs-
tirnony with reference to the single book
list. lie remained upon the stand for
over an hour, and was listened to with
much interest. In anticipation OF the ex-
animation of Mr.. Kennedy. quite n num-
ber of citizens had gathered in the SEN
ate chamber. and more than half of the
seats were occupied.
Tho librarian was one of the first ar
rivals. Indeed, he was in the room ahead
of some of the members OF the commit
tee. He chatted pleasantly with the
newspaper, men, and seemed to be in
zine spirits. Mr.. Kennedy expected to be
called. and shortly after Mr.. Eggleston
was put on, he sent a note UP TO Chair
man Byrd. asking that the latter an
nounce publicly that he was on hand.
prepared TO answer any questions that
might be asked him BY the committee.
Asked to Remain.
Mr.. Kennedy had been told privately
that his examination would 20 over until
February. After sending the note up. he
was about to leave the room for his
Office in the Library building. when Mr..
Byrd. from the chair, requested him TO
remain.
When Sfr. Eggleston had concluded his
Testimony. Mr.. Byrd read the note aloud.
and. addressing the librarian, Informed
liim that so far as the taking OF testi-
Inony was concerned the committee would
take a recess until February 9TH, but that
81 he wished TO add 10 his testimony OF
the previous dag the committee would.
be glad to hear him.
Mr. Kennedy said he had nothing to
add. but was ready to take the stand
at the pleasure OF the committee.
There will be no more public sessions
until February 5th, but Messrs Byrd
and Cox will hold executive sessions from
,ime to time to familiarize themselves
with the evidence already given on the
subject. Senator Strobe has gone to his
home in Amherst.
Mr.. Eggleston Again.
The committee convened at lO:45, and
superintendent Josheph d. Eggleston, Jr.,
was again put on the stand.
He was asked by Chairman Byrd if
he had any thing to say in reference 10
the complaints received by the committee
feet that some local dealers were making
over charges for school books.
Through the Kindness OF the commit
tee" he said, II learsed of three cases
and l took them up and settled them
promptly" Here the superintendent read
n circular recently sent out by himself
to superintendent. instructing them to
& hat this did not occur, and provid-
Ing methods by which the superintendents
may see that books arc kept within
easy reach of the pupils at list prices.
Chairman Byrd reminded the witness
.hat he had {, letter from Superintendent
Massie. of Clark county. complaining that
NIaury's Biographies were being sold
there for sl,25. instead of SIZE, which is
the list price, and the superintendent
said Mr.. Masse had received copy of
the circular sent out by the department.
and that IL violations continued. 1t was
his duty to report this matter promptly
to the Department of Education.
Witness defined the single and multiple
lists at the instances of the chair, and his
definitions OF the terms were practically
those generally accepted.
The Vital Point.
The two terms taken without Qualifica-
tion are held to mean that single list is
where only one book of certain class
is put on. and the multiple list where
there are more than one; but they have
both been stretched and added to and
given exceptions, until there are many
views held with reference to their real
witness said the vital point was to
let the children get the best books at the
cheapest prices, and that il tho method
was changed in Virginia the prices would
be thirty to forty per cent. cheaper.
The chair suggested that some of the
advocates of the multiple list contende
that this method tended to encourage
In reply the witness said this reminded
him of a man who knew great deal,
but much OF it was not so,
So far from encouraging competition,
sir he declared Will, emphasis, ut alb
crusl!es competition
What do you think of DR. Kent's con-
tention that tho multiple only increases
the cost of books ten cents per head?"
asked the chair
Il think 1t is a great deal more
that. and | think that the necks OF coun-
ty legislations would he unsafe If they
should come here and buy n tax of ten
cents per head for such purpose" he
replied.
know would think more of my neck,
md certainly of my political neck, than
TO be party to such a proceeding.
A Heavy Drain.
l3ut even at ten cents per head, Mr.
chairman. the school patrons of Virginia
pre- paying $4,000 annually for the privi-
lcge of having this so-called multiple
list when rs matter of fact, it is moth
ing moro nor less than an ordinary sys-
lem Of county unifornity"
Witness thought that Ia. climinafa }h,H
expense of book campaigns, which the
publishers placed at 100000 in 1904, would
permit tho board to move to single list
1T the next adoption. by leaving on
auch hooks as have been satisfactory,
without incurrlng the cost that had been
urged by the opponents OF the single list