The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-23

THE SCHOOL BOOKS.

A test made by the state printer
showed that the text books furnished
to the schools this year. for the most
part come up to the samples shown
the State Text Book Commission by
the publishing houses securing the
contracts. In a few cases somewhat
cheaper paper or binding was used
because of the necessity for hurry in
getting the books ready in time for
the opening of school, the publishers
say, and the text book commission
agree that they authorized the change
because of this reason. But, now what
was the necessity for such haste? Why
could not the books be adopted in time
to allow the publishers time to secure
the kind of material they contract to
furnish? We do not know what the
requirements of the law are but there
is no good reason why the books
adopted by the text book commission
schGols at the next term after their
adoption. There is no good reason
why the books should not be adopted
year in advance of their introduce
ton into the schools. The schools Of
the state would not have suffered Sc
riously had they used the old books
another year and the books adopted
this year would not spoil by waiting a
year before getting into the schools
And not only would there be no dis
advantage in giving the publishing
houses this time in which to get
ready but there would be decided adj
sNAN@SO AA IT. DOOh experts tell u8
that book ought to lie in storage for
ssme months to "ripen" after it is
bound. Green" books go to pieces
much quicker than those that have
tage of giving the publishers plenty
of time would be that they could have
full supplies of books ready by the
time they are needed. Heretofore it
and that there has been a shortage Of
some of the books and many of the
schools of the state have had to get
along for weeks without some of
there could be no excuse, such as is
offered this year, that the publishers
were unable to get the kind of ma
terial contracted for and there would
be no occasion to ask the permission
of the State Text Book Commission
to use cheaper material as was done
this year. There is something suspic-
ious about that excuse. 1t appears
strange that great publishing houses
should be unable to secure material
to fill their contracts. And It locks a
little suspicious that, in each case,
they used "a little cheaper material,
Why not a little dearer stock? And
has the text book commission re-
CURED them to furnish these cheaper
books at a lever Price2 Not that we
have any record of. Let US get this
matter down to business basis. The
books should be printed by the state
and furnished free to the pupils, but
if that is not to be done at least let
this foolishness of frequent change
be stopped and when a change is to be
made let the contract be given to the
publisher in plenty of time for him to
get the books ready properly and then
hold him to a strict fulfillment Of his
contract.-Leavenworth Times.
o
A FAMILIAR SIGHT
All newspaper offices are familiar
with the man who, with blood in his
eye, and a crumpled newspaper in
his hand, rushes to the editor man
and demands upon whose authority
such and such a thing was printed in
the miserable sheet" which he
waves wildly before the editor mans
face. Well, that rambunctious man
has just been given a black eye by
the courts. 1t has been decided that
newspaper reporters do not have to
give their authority for the articles
which they write and publish. II the
article printed is true, that's enough.
The reporters responsibility ends
there, and no court on earth can COM
pei him to betray his source of infor-
nation. So there.-Hiawatha World.