The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-09

StHatOI MeCk hdlu tHeTS WtTc tWV
factions in the schools, the Corson
faction, led by former School Commits
sioner Corson, and the outs" He
was asked II he was not the leader
of the "outs," and replied: Il can not
help what they may think about It."
What the secretive George Howard.
book agent is doing in Columbus this
session is a mystery to the legisa-
tors. At one time he was chief ma
nipulator of books for one OF the large
book companies. He had charge OF
many states for them. He now spends
large part Of his time at promi-
nent hotel in Columbus. Whether he
has business connection with any
book company or with men who want
manuscript books introduced into the
state Is not known. He is conceded to
be one of the most quiet and effective
workers in the book business. Willie
he plans. other men do the actual
work, so that 1t is seldom known just
what he Ia doing. His workers sell
dom mention him, and their connec-
tion with him is little known. The
investigators may seek to learn wheth-
er he has any interest in the bills now
before the legislature affecting the
schools or whether he is taking sides
with either faction in the investiga-
tion.
Since the Rose local option bill
passed, the friends of school book uni
formity are discouraged They doubt
whether their bill will be passed by
this legislature. A scheme has been
discovered to hook to the uniformity
bill, as rider. a free school book
amendment. making books free to
pupils in all parts OF Ohio. II is a
dangerous rider. for II will mean an
immense increase in the tax levies OF
the various school districts.
Already the Rose bill is bound to
do away with saloons in some coun-
ties and thereby reduce the revenue.
which means that the property-owner
will have TO pay higher taxes. Then
II free school books were forced upon
the communities, the tax rate would
have to soar still higher. For that
reason friends OF uniformity doubt the
possibility OF passing it.
There are two plans, embodied In
bills before the legislature, that inter.
est school book men. One is the uni
formity plan and the other the school
book commission plan. Uniformity
means that the same books shall be
used everywhere in Ohio and teachers
shall >be punished in court for not
using the books adopted. The book
commission means that board or
commission shall be selected to pick
the books that shall be used every
where in the state.
In Kentucky similar bills were
the school book business OF the state
had been divided among many pub
fishing firms. The course OF study
being laid out in any community.
books were selected to At IL.
After the bills had passed. one COM
pany got a monopoly OF the entire
school book business, and the profit
that It makes from the deal is enorm.
ous. Superintendents of schools we're
handicapped for instead OF fitting
the books to the course OF study they
had to At the course OF study to the
books. This was extremely awkward
for the reason that different communi-
ties require different courses OF study.
Considering the big plum that is
to be nabbed by some book concern
It is little wonder that the agents take
a decided interest. IN the bill pro-
posed for Ohio IL Is stipulated that the
state board may choose books still in
manuscript. This opens the door for
authors and would-be publishers to
contest for the enormous profits that
will accrue to the successful party
whose books are adopted.
One Of the most dangerous para
graphs ever put into bill. urged as
beneficial for the people of Ohio. is
Inc btpoioh III
the Crawford bill II provides that
no person but members shall attend
the sessions Of the commission. and
the commissioners shall give out no
information Of their transactions. The
meetings must be absolutely secret.
After the session is closed the mem
bers may print in pamphlet form the
proceedings OF the session.
The session might last a month or
more, while the members were select
ing books for the entire state. Dur
Ing that time the people Of the state
and the newspapers which advise the
people when dangerous deals are un-
der way would have no way OF know.
Ing what the commission was doing.
n there was skullduggcry afoot the
people would know noting OF II un-
til the contracts had been signed.
sealed and delivered, and at that late
date might not be able to discover
the evidence.
BY the deal made by the commits
sion the people OF the state would be
tied for five years. for books once
adopted are to be kept In use that
Inno hu fha hiliso prnyiQfnna