Imperial Valley press., 1913-01-17
SUPPLY NOT SUFFICIENT
FOR SCHOOL REQUISITIONS

SACRAMENTO. Jan. i1.-On the
theory That the free lunch counter is
a standing invitation for one to con-
sumo more food than he would if he
had to pay for it, the school authorities
IF lie state are making more demands
for free text books than the state can
afford to supply. in fact the state Of
ticialS are aStOunded by The popularity
Of free text books.
Heretofore about 10000 books sur
feed TO supply the demand Of the
schools upon the state at this time Of
year. That was when the users had
to pay for them. Now that books arr
free, the heads Of schools suddenly
find that not less than 900, 900 books
will meet their necessities.
From half Of the schools Of the
state acquisitions have already been
received for 100000 books. If this
ratio is Kept up Tie total demands will
be doubled.
This is embarrassing to State Super
ntcndent Of Public instruction Hyattf.
incidentally to State Printer Richard
son. who has neither Tie money nor
The books to give away.
Hyatt was asked today how he ac :
counted for the fact that The schools
asked for six or seven times a. many
books a. formerly. He attributed it to
the well known trait Of human, nature
10 ask for a second helping when any
thing is free.
''lou know" he said. ''you always
eat more meat at a barbecue than you
do at your own expense"
In an endcayor 10 tone down lie
situation somewhat. Hyatt has sent
percnptory orders To superintendent
Of schools to cut their reqUiSitiunS iu
Tie minimum-''tD the bone" as the
state superintendent puts it. The cuts
must be made particularly. ne says Ill
the demands for the first reader. spell
Ter book H. Introductory history. i'll
troductory geography ana GIVES.
a question Of great Importance to
he decided while laws are being framed
for the distribution Of IpXt books il
whether ihe 1ouks shall he given to
pupils outright Nh continue to be stale
property and na~ ,ed Oh TO succeeding
children. Hyatt thinks it is desirable
70 supply new books every year. pro
viding the state ran afford it. This
would be SafcSi '"i IN HE sanitary ana
hygienic Slandp, int, lie thinks
But This would he an expensive Sani-
tary luxury. Free text books will cost
from 100000 10 $500 900 4 year. az
pending on the plan adoptrq. sup
plying new books every year will ana
: SlOb.OUO 10 ll6 outlay nj least.
some Of The legislators and school
officials who have been consulting With
Hyatt, favor new books at any cost. 50
long as il inSureS protection lo ihc
child. On tie other hand, there is the
opposing opinion that the books can
easily he rendered innocuOuS ny fimi-
cation. IN Ills connection it il pointed
out mat books in libraries pass inlt
many questionable hands in the course
uf their career ana that it j. almost
useless ~ limit BOOK "a une cIlii
when there ARE nn restrictions govern
ing ihe same chilI'S access to lha
-ltnllcS uf lho uuhiir library.
Hyatt ha, formulated ~et of rules,
frr ine care of books when they aro
Eturrd III ihe hand, uf children. 1'na
uNnCr WiI bn hcId responsible for ua
condition. A. he Wjli mole hy lhn print
cj S!in l,H~tod Nh the inside cover Hc
~ @dmGnl~hed ln cover it with paper or
nlhor protective material ana if i,a
loses. Ganages or destroys ii, hr WtIl
lIaNc iu replace il Al Ills own expense.