Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-10
GOOD COMEDY PRESENTED
At sCHOOLB00K INQUIRY
Witness Fails to substantiate Charges
OF Graft" Against State
Board.
sCHooLBooK PROBE CONTINUES
Salesman Fails to Give Any Concrete
Instances OF "Grafting," but Says
Public Believes There Is "Some-
thing Wrong"

COMEDY or type seldom seen Off
stage was presented last night when
70. p. shelor, OF Salem. testified be-
foro the Legislative committee appointed
10 probe charges that publishing con-
Germs have practiced discrimination
against Virginia In the matter OF prices
charged for schoolbooks.
Mr. Shelor, who is president of the
CIVIL Bettcrment League Of Salem. was
summoned to appear before the inves-
tigators after he had written a letter
10 Senator Andrews. of Roanoke, in
which he strongly intimated the cx-
istcnce OF graft" IN tho State Board
or Education. When he was asked
last night to cite a concrete instance
OF grating" Mr.. Shelor said: II have
never heard 4 name mentioned but the
public believes there is something
wrong"
SHELOR DISCIAIMS ANY
Personal <NONLEDGis OF GRAFT
After he had disclaimed any personal
knowledge Of graft" or "corruption"
on tho part OF members Of the state
Board OF Education, Mr.. Shelor said
his main contention was that students
IN the public schools are required to
study too many subjects. to their great
and permanent injury. and that books
sold for use In the public schools cost
just about twice too much. Mr.. Shclor
testified that he has had seven chill
nron TO attend the public schools. and
:, =" tho opinion tnat ne should
know a few things along educational
lines In Virginia. HIS little thirteen
Near-old girl, he said, has to study
hfteen hours day to keep UP with
mo course offered In the public schools
az salem: He said physician had told
two OF his older daughters that they
mad been injured by having to lug
heavy loads OF books to school
III tell you. that kind OF thing don't
MAKO man feel good" said the wit
ness with considerable gusto When
J was child can't remember sec
ing child wearing specs Look at
ON to-day. see children carrying
ioads OF books that / wouldn't carry
myself"
ADMITS CONVICTION FOR
VIOLATING CHILD LABOR LAW
delegate Gum. chairman of the COM
inittec. asked tho witness II It were
true that Re had been found guilt
OF violation of the child labor laws OF
the state and OF violating the act
making II unlawful to work employees
more than ten hours a dag. Mr..
Shelor admitted that he had been found
guilty IN both instances. He proceeded
INTO n length" account of Just how II
All happened. but the Investigators
we're not much impressed. apparently.
Mr.. SheloTs prelude to his testimony
was unique. II not entire relevant
Tic told how eighteen years ago he had
members OF the House OF Delegates in
which II was certainly intimated that
mere was "graftinS" somewhere in the
matter OF schoolbook adoptions Mr.
Sheior didn't remember the legislators
names. and couldn't recall the exact
nature of the charges they made 1T
happened right In the lobby of the old
Ford Hotel that used to stand right
close to here" said the witness in
reminiscent vein. and | have heard
various things"
ADMITS HAVING no
REAL KNOWLEDGE OF GRAFT
DO you really believe there has been
any graft" Delegate Gum asked the
witness
II don't know about that" said the
witness knowingly. One man in Salem
told me book agent gave him 3iJ
10 have certain books adopted"
MI. Sheior was on the witness stand
a full two hours He was questioned
al different times by every member
OF the investigating committee His
testimony was source OF considerable
amusement TO room we'll allied with
spectators. including numerous repre-
senta;ives Of publishing concerns. He
admitted that he believed the State
Board OF Education has made AN error
OF head and not of heart Mr. Shelor
was asked to furnish any suggestions
he might have to offer which, in his
opinion. would serve to improve the
educational system OF the state Thjs
he did with Will.
The investigators Will continue their
inquiry tonight. when REPRESENTATIVES
Of publ!shnghouses are expected 10
testify