The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-28
PUBLISHERS MAKE
VIGOROUS DEFENSE
Protest Against Charges of Dis
elimination Against State in
Textbook Prices.
BOARD HOLDS OPEN MEETING
Comparison With California Con-
ditions Attacked as Unfair, Be-
cause Systems Differ.

books made n vigorous defense against
the charges of discrimination against
Virginia In prices at the first open
hearing on the book matter held by
the state Board of Education last
night In the courtroom OF the State
Corporation Commission. The hearing
was at the request of publishers. who
have refused TO bid on the rental Of
plates.
Without exception. the officers of the
leading publishing houses represented
denied that prices are higher in Vir-
pinia than ia other States, where the
conditions Of adoption arc similar.
They attacked rs unfair the compari-
son Of prices in California and Ohio
with prices in Virginia. because Of en-
tire!y different systems and terms Of
contract.
Several striking Developments were
made:
First. Tho publishers arc almost a
unit in refusing TO rent book plates
for the printing of books b. the State.
Second. The publishers are willing
to meet ohio prices II the State Board
Of Education VIII adopt the Ohio sys-
TEN Of contracts.
Third. No reductions In price will
bc made. under the present contract
system. in event tho adoption Is made
To run for scvSi years.
ADOPT RESOLITION
TO ADMIT PUBLIC
Tho board met at o'clock to re
cciNe the report Of the special book
committee, composed of Governor
Stuart. superintendent Stearnes and
Attorney Pollard. At $50
o'clock "a resolution was passcd to
opcn the doors to the public and fully
forty book agents and publishers en-
tered. Directing heads of four great
publishing houses had been heard
when the meeting adjourned at li:l5
o'clock To convene again this morning
at 10 o'clock.
mcnts of the publishers last night.
the board has run into complete
deadlocl; In its attempt TO batter down
prices quoted on the present Virginia
contract system.
The publishers attitude toward plate
rental was put clearly by W. T.. Pull
aifcr. president oi -. G. Heath & Co.
ana II. Stevenson. president OF the
silver, Eurdc;t Company.
'If We agree to rent plates TO Nir-
gini;l and Introduce such a system
among tho States said Mr.. pulsi-
fer. there VIII soon hc no moro pub
fishers and no more plates"
''Eut why" asked Attorney General
Pollard Of ]. y. Green. of the Amer
lean Book Company. were you Will
ing TO rent plates 10 California. and
now refuse the same service 10 Nir-
viuia"'
CONDITIONS ~ STATES
ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
because" answered Mr.. Green,
conditions III the two States are TO-
tails different. You must grant us
one error, we viii never bid on plate
rental in California again The Cal
iforuia state Constitution demands
the printing Of textbooks by the state
there is no choice. In Virginia ali
methods of furnishing textbooks are
oPcn To YOU"
Nh Green, when cross questioned ~
Uperintcnd.nt Stoarnos denied that he
had c"unsclcd other publishers to re-
fuse TO bid on the rental Of plates 20
Virginia
II developed In the course of the cx-
animation of X. &. Thomas. president
OF CHM &. Co, that Ginn's arithmetic is
bought by Ohio school children for So
ccnts and costs Virginia pupils ~
cents. IN the same way. Ginns gem
cral history sells to children In Mis-
souri, for Sl.3S and In Virginia ror
Sl.i9. These disclosures led to spirit
cd questioning OF AIr. Thomas by the
Governor, MIR. Stcarncs and the A.
torney-Gcncral.
DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
CAUSE DISCREPANCY
This apparent discrepancy, said Mr.
Thomas. Is due to totally different sys-
CHM u Co.'S net receipt for the sale
OF the arithmetic is ~ cents. In Vir-
sinia 20 per cent is added to this price
before it reaches the pupil-10 per
cent to the retail dealer and 10 per
cent to the Virginia Book Company
rs the distributing agent OF the pub
fishers, the Virginia Book Company
paying the freight, collecting accounts
handle exchanges and make local
shipments. Tile reason for the 10 per
cent cheaper price in Ohio. said Mr.
Thomas. lies I'm the fact that the cost
Of distribution. freight. collecting and
exchanges is borne In Ohio by the
State. Actually. the arithmetic costs
before reaching the Ohio pupil exactly
what it costs the Virginia pupf1, only
In Ohio tile cost of distribution Is paid
by the state instead of by the pupil.
The publishers produced statements
to show that the prices quoted By the
state Superintendent OF Public In
struction in California for textbooks
were not fair in that no account was
taken on tho Investment In the State
printing Office. depreciation and other
costly items.
and the courtroom In which the board
meets WAS crowded last night. ON
cials of several other large publishing
houses are to be heard to-day. The
developments of last night make worse
than uncertain any prediction of the
result of the boards fight for cheaper
books.