The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-07
URGES
 FREE TEXT BOOKS Goes Into Subject Very Thor
 oughly FORMULATES A PLAN In Report To Board Of Education Superintendent Of Schools Gives Results Of His Investiga-
 tions On Subject
FORMULATES A PLAN

Results Of His Investiga-
 tions On Subject
 The most important feature of the re- port of pr. J. H. Phillips, which was submitted to the Board of Education yes terday, was that which deals with his investigation of the rental of school books. pr. Phillips comes out boldly with a recommends tion that the city adopt a system of furnishing free books to school children, and formulates a plan. after having investigated the systems used in every large city in the country. He makes an exhaustive study of the matter and in discussing it says:
 During the year there has been consid- erable discussion in the city of the best method of providing text books for the pupils of our schools so as to reduce the cost to the people. The only method so far proposed has been that of leasing the required books at a rental of so much per capita for the pupils of each grade, or semester. It is assumed by this plan that practically the entire enrolment of llle StuOOlS WOulu pay tiiC SiiPdiaaOd iOi- tai as a condition of membership, and that the amount paid by each for the use of the books would be much less than that now paid to the dealers. In my judgment the books of a pupil in the third grade upon the promotion of that pupil would be turned over to be used by a pupil just entering that grade The saving in the gross amount spent for text books by all the pupils of the school, year after year. would unques- tionaby be worth considering. The first assumption, however. cannot be so readi- ly accepted. If the payment of the ren- tai is required upon entrance as con- dition of membership, many could not and many more would not comply with the condition. The payment of the rem tai would soon be regarded in the light of tuition fee or a special charge to attend the public school.
 "IInder the present method, when the child buys his text books he gets some thing that is exclusively his own. Un- der the rental plan he pays his money and receives nothing that he can call his own: he merely has the loan of the books When we eliminate the element of in- dividual ownership in text books, the ren- tai fee required will be treated by many as a hardship and bar to the public school It is proposed, however, to eX- empt from the payment of this fee and of any loss or damage penalties all who are too poor to comply with these re- auirements This to say the least, is a m a 6nnOQrDnS RXDedlGnt in a democratic institution like the pub lie school.
 Personally must confess that I can not easily divest myself of long-stand- ing predilection in favor of the old plan of individual ownership of textbooks. To me there has always been an intimate relation between the me and the mine in human nature. I love my books, not only for what they contain. but because they are mine. The sense of possession stimulates love of the tool with which I work, furnishes a motive for it's bet ter care, and indirectly tends to develop greater interest in the work itself. Be- leving that every laborer should be re ouired to own his own tools, it has seemed to me that both the laborer and the labor must suffer somewhat under any other plan
 But in any honest investigation of a question of this character, personal pref erences and prejudices must be laid aside. I recognize the full force of the argu- ment in favor of cheaper textbooks and appreciate the fact that the people in their organized capacity, represented by the Board of Education, can arrange for the purchase and distribution of school books at immense saving over the pres ent plan of individual ownership.
 q began my investigation of the sub feet by writing to the United States commissioner of education. requesting in- formation as to the methods of supply ing textbooks. either free or by rental. in the schools of cities of over 100000 popu lation The following Is the reply re- ceived from the acting commissioner. with the bibliography omitted
 " Washington, July B. 1910. Dr. J. H. Phillips, Superintendent of
 Public Schools. Birmingham. Ala.
 My Dear Dr. Phillips: I have re- ceived your letter of the 18th inst. con- taining inquiries as to the methods of textbook supply in cities of over 100000 population.
 '' Tn reply I would say that. so far as am informed, no city has ever adopted the plan of purchasing textbooks and leasing them to pupils. In fact. do not recall that I have ever heard such proposition discussed. for the alternative for individual ownership is always as- stunned to be the free system.
 The following IA states require that textbooks be furnished free: Delaware District of Columbia elementary grades) Idaho, Maine. Maryland. Massachusetts. Nebraska New Hampshire. New Jersey Pennsylvania Rhode Island. Utah (ele- mentary schools). Vermont and Wyoming
 Local authorities are permitted by law to adopt the free system in Colorado. Connecticut Iowa, Kansas, Michigan Minnesota. Montana. New York. North Dakota Ohio South Dakota, West Vir- ginia and Wisconsin-13 states.
 The following cities provide free books New York Philadelphia. St. Louis, Bos- ton. Baltimore. Cleveland. Buffalo, Gin cinnati. Pttsburg. Detroit. Washington, Newark. Jersey City. Minneapolis, Provi- ,lence, Denver, Toledo, Allegheny. Colum- bus. Worcester. Syracuse, New Haven, Paterson, Fall River, Omaha and Scran- ton.
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