The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-02-08
WANTED CHANGE
IN Text BOOKS
State High School Inspector
Was Reprimanded.
BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE

I'LL OllA llVOOk VONSsvSsl -
George q. Alton Testifies In Book
Trust Hearing-Recommended Vol
umes Not Sold by the American
Book Company-Senator Sundberg's
Resolution Opposing Federal Grain
inspection Passed by House.
st. Paul, Feb. 6.-That he had been
reprimanded for recommending
changes in text books by the state
high school board and especially by
DR.. G. M. Jordan of that board. was
the testimony of George B. Alton,
state high school inspector, before the
house committee which is Investigate
ing the book trust. Alton said he
would not have thought anything OF
it If Major Clancy, the agent of the
American Book company, had not
shown up the next day, trying to get
more orders for his books. Alton had
been recommending some books not
sold by the American Book company
and he intimated that that was the
reason he had been reprimanded.
The committee next week will take
up the case at Winona, where agents
of various book companies opened
headquarters and began lobbying when
the school board was to select sue
cessor to Superintendent Frazier. This
case was called to their attention by
Mr.. Alton and also by State Superin.
tendent G. G. Schulz.
Mr.. Alton recommended law which
would prohibit any teacher from sell
ing any books while he holds his GER
tificate and also the repeal of the con-
tract feature. He said that while it
had been charged that books are
changed too much by the influence Of
agents, yet under this system an agent
can corral school board and make
them use his books for a fve-year
term.
It was stated at the hearing that
the American Book company had 60
per cent of the business in the state.
It was also stated that former Super
intendent Olsen had not complied
since 1905 with the law requiring him
to send to the districts lists of books
and prices furnished by the different
companies, according to the samples
fled with him.
Many Bills In the House.
Forty bills, which is a record break
or except for a "last night" were in:
troduced in the house. They COW
cred wide range of subjects, in
Guiding the prohibition of the sale of
disabled horses by auction, requiring
operators of Babcock tests for milk
to have license, requiring launches
and sail boats to have lights at night.
appropriating 100000 for hospital
at the soldiers home, prescribing sani-
tary conditions where food is made
and sold, and prohibiting agents Of
book companies and correspondence
schools from trying to sell publioa
lions to teachers at summer schools.
Senator sundberg's resolution ask
ing the Minnesota congressman to op-
pose Senator McCumber's bill for fed
eral grain inspection was adopted by
the house after a weeks opposition
from some members.
The prevention of the useless
slaughter of wild birds is the aim Of
bill introduced by G. q. Stone of
Ramsey county, by request. It will
stop the use of feathers and birds on
ladies' hats and will probably extend
to the prohibition of keeping canaries
in cages.
Not satisfied with the $4,000 CIV
en- the university by the last legisla-
ture for additional land for the cam
pus, Representative Hugh N. Allen
introduced bill providing for an ad-
ditional $350,0OO for the same pur-
pose. In other words, his bill amends
the 1907 law by providing a $4,000
tax levy for five years instead of three
years.
Inspection Of Banks. I'D
Inspection of banks is to be separat-
ed from the examination of cities and
other corporations according to bill
by Senator L. o. Thorpe of Willmar
The new official Is to have eight as
sistants, deputy and full Office force
and receive $4,000 year. The head
Of the department is to be practical
banker Of five years. experience and
will have entire charge of the enforce
ment of the banking laws of the state.
A bill, introduced in the senate by
Senator Swanson modifies in radical
way the present work of the live stock
sanitary board. If an owner wants
to use the tuberculin test he is at lib
erty to do so, but the bill prohibits
the state from using the test as
basis for destroying cattle In place
OF this test, Senator Swanson would
have three veterinarians inspect the
animal which is suspected, or go over
an entire herd and condemn the sick
est looking animals.
The senator would also have the
state board quarantine horses and 9TH
Or animals which have been exposed
to contagious diseases instead of i'm
0ediately killing them.
+ The Oil persons who fought the for
est fires last fall may never get the
$4,000 due them. The house and SEN
ate committee on forestry have shift
ed the matter over to the committee
a