The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-19
TEXTBOOK GOSSIP
THAT FRYE GEOGRAPHY MATTER
 UP IN AIR.
Claimed that Indiana school Pafrons' Money is No Better Than That
 of Alabama Patrons--De-
 fense of Publishers.

That Frye geography question is likely to cost some argument yet with the sch ool people of Alabama. The evidence remains as yet uncontradicted that the book is selling In Indiana at 13 cents copy cheaper than 1t is pro- posed to sell the same book in this State.
 Some say the discrepancy may cost the publishers their contract with Ala bama which was awarded last month by the Text-B Book Commission. Con- tracts with all the other publishers have been duly signed by the Governor and Secretary of State Frank N. Ju- Han. That with Ginn & Company to supply their geography remains un- signed. The Governor will return to his office tomorrow and may then give the matter new consideration.
 It is barely possible that the proposi- ton may be thrown direct up to the Textbook Commission. the men who awarded the contract It may require another session of that body. There Is some difference of opinion as to wheth- CT the Frye geography people can be summarily excluded on. the provision of the law guaranteeing to this State as low price for a book adopted as that which prevails in any other State of the Union.
 Friends of the publishers argue that conditions in Indiana are unlike those which obtain in Alabama. Therefore. they are entitled to charge a different price for the books in the two States. The argument of those who look closer to the pocket books of the sch ool pa- irons is different. They contend that the conditions and circumstances, though they might be different, are not such as to affect the price. The ques- tion hangs on the interpretation of the following provision of the law:
 The Text-Book Commission shall not in any case contract with any per- son or publisher for the use of any books which are to be sold to patrons or used in any public school in this State at a price above or in. excess of the price at which such books or books are furnished by said person or pub fisher under contract to any State, county or school district in the United States, under like conditions prevail ing in this State and under this ar- ticle.
 It is to be seen that possible loop hole is afforded under the last phrase of the section just quoted. If the pub- fishers escape under this proviso 1t will mean the loss annually of about s25,o00 to the school patrons in the dif- ference of price in Alabama and the Hoosier State. Probably 100000 or
  to purchase the book or make the ex- change for old ones.
 It is contended that the method of distribution of books in Indiana varies from that adopted in this State. Those who challenge the contract with Ala bama declare that an analysis of the two distribution systems will result in showing a more economical arrange ment in this State than prevails in Indiana. In the latter the books are ordered by the district trustees by requisition on the County Supjerintend- ent who makes a requisition in turn on the State Department of Education, and thence the order reaches the pub fishers. This. 1t Is pointed out, entails an extraordinary expense in accounting and separate shipments. This is saved in Alabama by direct distribution to the patrons through the State agent, a house located in Birmingham, to which a commission of 20 per cent is allowed For this reason. 1t is declared. Indiana should, in reality, be charged a higher price for the geograpbies than Alabama has to pay. A higher commission is charged in Alabama than in Indiana, but the Alabama net to the publisher is claimed to. be higher than that secured from Indianas eafesE% eG5 W
 It is sa4dWtha [ the publishers have put different cover on the Indiana geograph1es than that which win be put on the Alabama book. and thus have ground for pleading "dissimilar conditions and circum stances" The subject-matter is, however. the same, according to one member of the Text Book Commission . ,-