The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-15
SELECT TEXTBOOKS
|. ON NEXT THURSDAY
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO
MEET THEN FoR PUR-
POSE.
FOLLOWS LONG DELAY
INVESTIGATION BY BOARD AND
THEN RY LEGISLATURE HELD
Up ADOPTION FOR Sew
ERAL MONTHS.

The Safe Board of Education Will
open bids received and odopt list Of
textbooks for use in the public free
schools of the Commonwealth Tor not
less than tour nor more than seven
years on Thursday. February IS.
The textbook committee Of the
board will meet today to prepare the
way for the work of the whole board.
The bids will in reality be opened and
passed upon by this committee, the
whole board ratifying its selection
when it meets or making such changes
as may be found necessary.
Adoption Delayed.
This work is now ten months be-
hind time. The present contracts do
not epire until March l, but ordi-
narily the adoptions for the ensuing
term of years are made several months
ahead in order to give the publishers
whose books are accepted for use time
IN which to make preparation for their
delivery. In accordance with this
mental lists we're prepared by the
State board last April, but final adop-
ton was postponed In order to give
time for IN investigation into the mat
ter OF prices. superintendent Stearnes
informed the board that In some other
States, notably California, better
prices were obtained than In Virginia
Moreover. he expressed the belief that
plates might be rented from some pub
fishers. thus effecting a substantial
saving to the people of Virginia.
In consequence an investigating
committee was named and 1t keing
found that some decreases in the
prices of books appeared to be pos
sible, new bids we're asked. These
bids were received last fall but book
selections were deferred from time to
time. and finally held up at the re-
quest of the General Assembly of Viz
ginia In order that legislative In
vestigation into book prices might be
made.
Legislative Probe.
The resolution introduced by Julien
Gum resulted in the appointment of
joint committee of inquiry, consisting
of two members of the House of Del
egates. While not asked by the Board
of Education and not wholly ap~
proved by any of its members, the
WAS accepted by them
and fer two weeks witnesses were
heard on many points. The report of
the committee, declaring that there
were found few cases of diserimina-
ton and recommending legislation
that has since been passed. was sub
mitted last Thursday and the mat
ter closed. go far as the Legislature II
concerned.
Thus relieved of the necessity for
further delay. the Board of Education
will make it's selections. and the list
Of books to be used In the public
schools. Of the State will be adopted
either Thursday or FRIDAY OF this
week. The new list becomes effective
on March l, 1915.
On that date too, comes n change
In the personnel of the board Joseph
d. Eggleston. president of the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. has been elect
cd by the General Assembly to sue
coed DIR. j. L. aJrman. president OF
the State Female Normal School.
Later. Superintendent Harris Hart of
Roanoke public schools. and Super
fntendent Reese. of Louisa County,
will retire. their successors TO be
selected by the board.