Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-27
SENATE FAVORs PROBE
or TEXTBOOK PRICES
toncurs in Gum Resolution for In
vestigation by Vote of
23 to 10.
WILL BEGIN WORK AT ONCE
Stearnes-Pollard Bill, 1t Is Believed,
VIII Forever Prevent Discrimina-
ton on Part of Publishers Against
Virginia Children.

Charges that bonded publishing
houses furnishing textbooks for use in
The public schools OF Virginia have
practiced discrimination against this
state Will be rigidly probed by a legis-
iative committee. Reversing tho Com
mittee on Public Institutions and Edu
cation. which recommended that the
Senate do not concur In the Gum reso-
luton, the Senate yesterday by vote
OF 20 to Is favored an inquiry. In the
House tho resolution was unanimously
adopted when first presented
The Senate committee reported the
resolution adversely after amending II
10 provide for a report during the pres
ent session The amendments to the
measure were not opposed. Senator
John a. LeBner of Norfolk. moved that
The Senate concur in the resolution. and
that an immediate investigation be
started. The people Of Virginia want
10 know II there are DETERMINATIONS"
said Senator Edmund Parr. of Patrick,
and they arc rightly demanding an In
vestiBatton. hope the Senate will see
Mt to adopt the resolution"
DIsTRUsT IS GENERAL.
SAYS RICHMOND SENATOR
Senator Saxon W. Holt. of Newport
News. urged adoption of the resolution.
He said tho State Board OF Education,
through Superintendent Stearnes. has
made 1t clear that an investigation is
necessary. and that the people are de-
handing TO know the true facts in the
case. Senator James e. Cannon. of
Richmond; Senator Robert *. Brock. of
Prince Edward, and others Joined in
demanding an investigation. "Diatrust
has sprung UP In the minds OF the
people" said the Senator from Rich
inond. and the State Board OF Educa-
ton should be vindicnted"
Senator George T. Rison. OF Pittsvl-
vnnia. declared he could see absolutely
no necessity for an investigation He
said tho State board had already
thoroughly probcd every phase of tho
matter. and that legislative inquiry
would be a waste of time. which should
be spent 10 a better purpose He cx-
pressed the utmost confidence in the
board. and said II could be trusted. He
explained further that he was confident
mo Din drawn by the Attorney General
designed to obviate the necessity of an
investigation would certainly accom-
piish It's purpose. III we cannot trus,
the board" he said. whom can we
trust? am confident that the bin
which they are asking us TO pass will
euro all the evils OF the present sys-
tenn"
RELIEVES PEOPLE HAVE
CONFIDENCE IN HOARD
Senator c. Harding Walker. Of
northumberland, said he saw no ne
cessity for an inquiry. He said the
people have complete confidence In
the board. and that II DETERMINATIONS
have been practiced the board should
be able to present the true facts with
out having nm investigation by n spe-
ciaI Legislative committee. When the
speech making was over the Senate
voted to conduct the inquiry.
As members OF the special commit
lee 10 conduct the investigation on the
part OF the Senate. President j. Taylor
Eliyson appointed Senator Cannon and
Senator Rison. Three House members
Will serve on the committee Little
time Will he consumed In the inquiry.
II Is said, for the State board
has already collected all data obtain
able concerning the alleged dIscrimi-
nations. The committee, II is thought.
will obtain practically all OF it's in
formation from the board
The House concurred In the Senate
amendment to the Gum resolution. ana
asking permission to Introduce the
Stearncs-P Pollard bill. The measure
provides for an extension OF powers
now vested In the State board. The
bill. which was introduced in the SEN
ate by Senator Rison. was referred to
the Committee for Courts OF Justice.
Passage OF the bill In both branches
OF the Legislature seems assured.
senate leaders yesterday expressed
the opinion that determinations
against the State In hook contracts
will be practically impossible under
the provisions of the Stearnes-Pollard
bill. which. they say. As skillfully
drawn The measure. while fair alike
TO state and publishing houses gives
such powers to the State Board OF
Education that little chance for dis
griminations is left.
The hill gives the State Board OF Ed
,,ration power to enter into contracts
may be rented TO manufacturers for
the purpose of manufacturing books for
use in the public schools. 1t also au-
thorizes the board TO enter into any
contracts pertaining to the distribu
ZION OF school books, which In the
onin.on Of tae board will improve the
sys.cm CT distribution or lessen the cost
~ hOrks. Publishers furnishing the
schupi looks TO tho State arc required
,n furnish sufficient bond, as under the
present statute.
publishers found guilty OF misrepre-
scnting facts In contracting with the
state can be forced to pay "liquidate ed"
damages. under terms OF the new bin.
Ia case publishers violate their con
tracts the Attorney-Gener is author
ized to institute such legal procedure as
he day deem proper. Tho new measure
provides further that PRICES charged
Virginia shall in all cases be as low as
prices charged other States for school
hooks, and that terms of exchange of
hoks as set out In the contract must
br rs favorable to patrons of schools
i'm Virginia rs those granted by the
publishers anywhere in the United
states.
surprise was Expressed by many yes
erday at the decision Of the Senate In
favoring an Investigation. IT was gen
orally believed that no inquiry would
be held as Introduction OF the bill rec
commended for passage by the State
isoard OF Education. IL WAS thoupht