New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-25
TEXTBOOKS FOR SCHOOLS.
Interesting Facts About Their Publica-
ton and Sale.

most q f'icuit occupations Is that OF the pub
Usher e school Textbooks The publisher is the
intermediary between the exceptional teacher
and tie public; between the student Of cduca-
ton. The unusually successful superintendent
the specialist who evolves new and important
facts oT = better method OF presentation. and
the great class OF teachers and students who are
anxious 70 improve themselves and the schools.
The author may write but the publisher must
mako those writings available TO the world. To
search out the newer and better in educational
authorship ana T. judge Il with keen apPre-
citation and discernment require natural apu-
tude. long training and courageous enterprise.
II American schools are in many respects SUI
perlor to those OF other countries. their standing
Is in uo small measure due 10 the work Of the
American publisher. Without tho business acu-
men. capital and enterprise Of the publisher the
school teachers influence would be confined 10
the narrow bounds of his school and his
own acquaintance The successful publisher
generously fosters and encourages educational
authorship. thus multiplying the influence Of the
individual teacher and advancing the general
cause Of education. The conscientious publisher
IS al educator no less than IS a college presi-
dent The one may express valuable ideas but
the other gives them currency and permancncc.
But i IS mol enough 10 Obtain the and
promising manuscript. 10 put il in appropriate
typogFa phic dress. 70 manufacture il in work
manlike and durable form. The product must
be brought 10 the consumer throughout the
country And here Is where the skill and ad-
mni-tratiye ability q the publisher are shown
In his agency operations. Here the school book
agent or book man." as he has come 20 be
called plays an important part. These book
men. OF school book agents. are remarkably well
equipped They are picked men taken as a rule
from the most successful Of the superintendent
and principals. They are men Of education
good address and high character. who have
added 10 the qualities necessary for a good su-
perift-ndent business ability Of a high order
They Laye ar intimate knowledge OF the schools
and methods OF instruction and have become
expert judges OF textbooks.
That the book man" must be well equipped
and yyeu trained is easy to when it is CON
sidercd that he must have a general acquant-
ancc With hundreds or even thousands Of books
which re personally represents TO which is
added ~ intimate and critical knowledge OF
scores % texts which lie is obliged 10 present
in Close and fierce competition with books pub
Iishcd by business rivals. The technical knowl-
edge Of these books possessed By the best agents
Is wonderful
For tie most intelligent and effective work tho
agent must advocate his books from the point
OF view of tho author. He must present the
author arguments and tie authors methods. 50
that tie teacher or school official Interested shall
grasp and thoroughly understand the authors
Intent and the place. scope and purpose Of the
booi. IN comparison with others. only good ma
tive ability and adaptability, aided 10y education,
experience and thorough training, can properly
equip q force OF agents for this eXactng work
Tie leading publisher Of school books in the
United states. and probably Of the world. is the
American Book Company. incorporated in Ne"
York. ana whose chief places Of business are in
this city. Cincinnati and Chicago. with branches
in Boston and Atlanta and agency Offices in
many other cities Of the country.
This company, while the largest publisher Of
Textbooks. has ~ no means monopoly II
does, perhaps, a third OF the schoobook business
OF the. United States. although its rich list Of
several Thousand different books. covering prac-
ticaHy all branches Of learning, provides ample
choice from which amy school may select its
entire Equipment
The manufacturing plants OF tie American
Book Company In New York City and in Gin
cinnau are models Of up-to-date organization
ana complete appointment Of modern machinery.
,erfectl,- adapted 10 thc production Of wei made
books
,qfe company IL IN touch with the leading edu-
ca4ors aud SPECIALISTS in the various branches of
learulng both directly through its editorial de-
naTtyaeut- and indirectly through It's large and
emcie,, agency organization. IL Is thus in a
,,oai,ian PROMPTLY 10 detect new educational de-
nartrree and tendencies IN matter and in
,reflsd. IL Is thoroughly able and ready To pro-
suoe hooks ernbodying these new features at
once and ia admirable style and makeup ana