The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-11
BOOK COMMISSION
 WILL MEET TODAY Clans Gather for the First Ses-
 sion At Noon
SHORTAGE IS EXPLAINED
Re-Examination of Books of Monteom- cry State Fair Association Shows Accounts Are In Better Shape
 Than First Reported.

Montgomery, March 10.-(Special)- Clans are gathering for the meeting Of the state text book commission tomorrow, there being dozens of book men and teachers here to have part in the book in on the proceedings. The educational department has been quite busy making arrangements for the sessions
 The commission will do no more than meet and organize at the meeting tomor- row. Another session for the adoption Of the books will be held the latter part of May or the first of June, it is thought At the meeting tomorrow the call will be made for all the books that will be let this year. The session will be held in the office of the governor and will probably be called about noon.
 The members of the commission are: Governor Conner, Superintendent of Edu- cation II. c. Gunnels; s. s. Murphy of Mobile, John P. Selman of Troy, J. ". Brown of Dethan, D. NJ Galloway of Sel- ma, J. P. Neff of Lafayette, G. w.. Brock of Livingston, J. B. Hobdy of AL bertville. II. T. Lille of Faulkville, and c. B. Glenn of Birmingham.
 shortage Explained.
 It is found, according to reliable infor- nation, that the reported shortage in the management of the State fair at this place in 1906 has been fully explained by a re-examination of the books and that the accounts will be found to work out satisfactorily. This is based on re- port of Expert Accountant Haralson, which is said to have been turned over to the officers of the fair association.
 It is understood that MT. Haralson found many discrepancies between the first report and his figures and that he has so exhibited to the directors. In one item alone, that of credit for tick cts, there is said to be over s10,000. An other item now found to be on the credit side, not in the first report shown, is 5000 paid for horse premiums, which is legitimate offset. The entire matter now promises to be cleared up to the credit of all the officers of the fair of that year.
 When seen this morning officers Of the fair association would not talk of the new report, but did not deny that it had been made and was such as to make q good showing for the management of that years fair. The report is not made public because the directors prefer to have it go to the stockholders in regular way. It is believed that when this is done, there will be a general clearing up of the alleged lack of good management of the 1906 fair. Certain it is that so far most of the reported shortage of $20.000 has been accounted for in regular way. A large number of cases were taken up by the pardon board at the regular Tues day meeting. Secretary of State Julian, Attorney General Garber and Auditor w. w. Brandon were all present.
 The town of Brewton reports population of 975 whites, 492 males and 4S3 females; 1223 negroes 610 males and 613 females. It Is thus shown that there are six more males than females.
 Child Labor Statistics.
 Walter B. Palmer, special agent of the bureau of labor. of the department of commerce and labor, at Washington, is in the city today with a number of clerks to get up statistics about the women and children who labor in the cotton factories of Alabama
 Mr. Palmer has opened an office in the government building and has half dozen clerks with him. They are acting under the authority of an act of Con gress passed in February, 1907, which was introduced by Congressman Bard