Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-09
BOOK PUBLISHERS DENY
EXISTENCE OF GRAFT
swear Integrity of State Board OF
Education Is Beyond
ReprOacl.
BRAND CHARGES OUTRAGEOUS
Man, Charging Graft in State Board,
VIII Testify To.Night-Final dc.
cision OF Investigating Committees
Awaited With Keen Interest.

Representatives Of bonded publish
InShouscs furnishing books for use In
me public schools or Virginia testified
last night before the Legislative COM
nittcc inquiring into charges that pub
iishers have Disseminated against this
state IN prices charged for books. Wit
hcsses furnished detailed descriptions
OF contracts under which they are
doinS business in various States. and
Wcro closely questioned regarding
methods OF distribution OF books en-
ploEed In the various localities.
Each witness sworc that che In
tcSrity OF the state Board OF Educa-
tioh Is beyond reproach, and all Of
mem asserted that no Determinations
nave been practiced against Virginia
IN the matter Of prices charged for
textbooks.
w. L. Pullsifer, OF d. c. Heath Pub
hshing Company. was the first witness
t"stfying. In tho matter OF distribu-
non OF schoOlbooks he said he re-
Sarded the present method OF distribu-
non through the Virginia Book Com
pany az being much more satisfactory
70 all concerned than under the system
formerly lin vogue when publishers
shipped goods direct to retailers In
various sections OF the State.
KNOWS OF no GRAFT
IN STATE EDUCATION BOARD
i have seen certain newspaper state
ments that graft has existed in secur-
ing schoo!book adoptions IN this State"
faid the witness MY company has
done business with the State Of v!r-
GINA for about twenty years, and T
give you my word OF honor that have
never met more honorable body OF
men than compose the State Board OF
Education. The story that graft ex-
ISIS IN the state board is outrageous"
asked IL he knew anything about
charges Of graft In connection with
inc administration o! the state Board
"f Education. T.. ID IIcllweg. represent
ny tho Allyn &: Bacon Book Company
said: II could speak volumes on tn.
absolute integrity OF the state Board
"' Education" Mr. HellwcH denied
That his company has practiced dis
criminations
A. w. Richardson. OF the Macmillsn
publishing Company. sworc his com
IanE has done business with the state
al virginia for many years.
On examination h. admitted that at
i!rs' sight the price lists furnished by
h!s company might lead one to believ.
'at discrimination have been prac-
liced, but as a matter OF fact he de-
'larcd that such has not been the case.
IL" explained the apparent discrimina-
lions by explaining that various States
use different methods In distributing
schoolbooks, and therefor. make diff
terent contracts with publishing con-
ccrns.
j. II. Fairchild. OF the American Book
Company, SwOrc his company has not
Disseminated. He told OF different con-
ditons existing In VARIOUS States. and
explained how contracts are necessarily
drawn To conform with local conditions
SALEM MAN TO RE
EXAMINED Tonight
Each OF the witnesses presented sta
tistics ana referred to price lists and
other data. Superintendent Stearncs
aided In the examination OF the wit
nesscs. and Acknowledgement Polla rd
occupied "A seat next 10 Delegate Gum.
who is chairman OF the investigating
committee. The courtroom of the state
Corporation Commission where the In
luiry was held was filled with spec
tators, including numerous representa-
iivcs uf publishing houses
Tonight when the hearing is re-
opened the principal witnesses will be
u. l.. Shelor, OF Salem. who in "A letter
20 Senator Andrews. OF Roanoke. open
~ intimated that tho state Board OF
Education is guilty OF graft In con
ucction with hook adoptions.