The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-04
SAVING Threatened
BY INVESTIGATION
HAVE TO BE RE Z.
tanned. &.
PUT STATE ON NOTICE
ON PRESENT HIGHER
PRICED LIST SAID TO BE
PREPARING To FIGHT
IN COURT.

books under the new list tentatively
adopted by the State Board of Educa-
ton last April IL threatened by the
legislative Investigation. now on.
II the inquiry be not completed and
the committees report be not made
before the present session OF the GEN
eral Assembly ends, and II for that rea-
son the state Board of Education liz
compelled to delay the adoption of
books another year. the present con-
tracts. higher than the new, will remain
in force for at least another twelve
months and probably for another four
years.
: That the publishers who lose under
the proposed new contract realize this
and are preparing TO make a fight In
the courts for the retention of the
present list for four years, IL the adop-
ton of the new list be delayed. was
made certain yesterday. That they
would recognize the opportunity. pre-
scented by the delay enforced by the
resolution of inquiry passed By the
General Assembly. to retain these ex-
istinE contracts was understood from
the beginning. Now II is admitted by
them to the Attorney General, to whom
they have intimated their purpose to
take the matter to the court
The Law ON the subject.
The situation needs explanation to
those who do not understand the laws
on the subject Book adoptions are
made for not more than seven and
not less than four years. Seven years
will shortly have passed since the last
book adoption and either a new adop
tlon will have to be made or the old
list re adopted II the new list be not
adopted before the expiration OF the
seven years. which occurs within a
few weeks. the old list will have to be
re-adopted II that be done, It ap-
pears. the list will have to be retained
for a least four years, with the re-
suit that the decrease IN the price OF
books per child under the new list will
not be effected.
This is the Interpretation put upon
the matter by the publishers. who are
oeuefciaries under the existing list OF
books adopted seven years ago. and
they have intimated to Attorney Cen
eral Pollard that II the adoption OF
the new list be postponed another
year they will ask the courts to de-
termine whether not the old list
is automatically renewed
OF course. II the investigation be
completed at this session of the General
Assembly and report be made, the
state Hoard OF Education can adopt
new ilsi before TUG TERM Nl ATe S1iHl@
ing list expires II. however, more
time is requested by the committee and
delay OF a year should ensue the
State Of Virginia--if the court inter
prets the law as the publishers and
many lawyers in the Legislature in
terpret twill be saddied for four
years with list OF books that the
state Board of Education regards as
inferior to the proposed new list. and
which several members OF the board
have testified is the more costly.
Resolution Amended.
The Gum resolution. az originally
introduced, provided for a report next
year. bat. after conference with Gov
ernor stuart and others. IL was amend
ed TO provide for q report at this SEES
sion While Il Is rumored az the capt
tol that a request for more time will
he made. that is not thought proba-
BILE. Certainly the Joint COMMITTEES Of
investigation appears TO be working
expeditiously. Moreover. even though
more time be asked IL will scarcely
be granted. Several members OF the
House have already expressed doubts
of the wisdom OF the Investigation
which was adopted without considera-
ton either in committee or on the
floor. More than one member has de-
clared that II more time be asked
he will oppose the request and call for
report at this session OF the General
Assembly or for the discharge OF the
special committee from further con-
sideration OF the matter.
Two working sessions OF the COM
mittee have been held. at which mem
bers Of the State Board OF Education
testified. Most Of these expressed the
belief that no discrimination of I'm
portance exists and that as for books
used in the elementary schools the
prices favor Virginia over kentucky
and Ohio the two States alleged to
have secured books at lower prices
than Virginia. Another session will
he held Thursday night. when, il is
understood, Superintendent Stearues
will be recalled to the stand. Rep
resentatives Of number of publishers
will be called either tonight or at
a later session.
II r. Johnston & Company. OF Rich
mond, is one of the firms which will
lose number OF book contracts il
the new list be adopted and II has
been suggested that It's agents or it's
a he cd