The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-12
Admits That Pressure Was
Brought to Bear-the
Usual Kind.
TAKES SHOT At EDITORS
Incidentally Defends the
Boards Action in
Changing Books,

CHARLESTON, July 12.-For the
first time since the controversy over
the public school text books began the
members Of the commission gave their
side late Yesterday afternoon when a
committee consisting Of DR.. X. A.
Armstrong, ]. c. Shaw and George T.
Rhodes made the following state
ment:
1.-THE members Of the state school
hook committee do most respectfully
ask that YOU publish this brief state
ment We think that our labors
should win US sympathy somewhere.
We are indeed forlorn. Disowned by
the governor; memoralized by inc
board of public works; brought BEFORE
the bar OF the supreme court; misrep'
resented by the newspapers and aous'
ed by disappointed book men; yet we
wish to declare that we have in care
ful and conscientious way been trying
to discharge our sworn duty while per-
forming very important pubic ser
vice. loo,.
adontions that are accompanied py
charges Of fraud, of improper intiu'
ence and Of grave misdoings. This one
has proved no exception to the rule
But we invite investigation. we nave
acted without fear or favor ana nave
done what we thought right, and are
not ashamed or afraid to put our rec
ord before the public.
The charge that outside pressure
was brought to bear upon the commits.
sion to influence its choices is most
true. All the arts OF the sKlllluL'
trained, persistent, persuasive DOOR
men were used in session and out OF
session to win votes, and there were
over 90 OF these representatives. Some
NJ their arts and tactics may not get
their sanction from the highest rules
If ethics-but anything so gross as
an attempt to bride was not heard OIL.
other outside pressure was exertea Dy
snecial representatives and attorneys
If the companies competing for adop-
tions but so far as we know the
methods and means Ned were just
and proper. lotion
in changing large number OF oooks
offered BY those who appeared 6etore
the commission and emphasized gen
eraIlv through the newspapers is that
hv reason Of these many changes we
have brought a great burden of ex'
pense upon the people of the state
What are the facts?
"The cost Of the text books as To-
tai expenditure in the state is gener'
allv greatly overestimated. The state
department of schools has just finish
cd compiling some statistics after Sc
curing data from the state depository
through which books under contract
for the past five years have been nan. manu- !
led. Using this data in estimating a
change to the recently selected DOCKS
the department gave out this state
ment: -. ,,oor
s2A3 440.O4. less exchange credit
s77941: actual cost next year, $685.
44O.O4. Average yearly cost for four four
last years with no change OF teXC
hooks. S1Sl ,212.19; actual increase In
cost next year due to change $S4,'-
SS6.S5; cost per child enrolment
S20,O00), 1917 cents.
This means that the cost of chang
ing the books according to the action
Of the book commission was two cents
for each pupil enrolled in the scnool
for each Of the five years of the life
n the contract. 1t is sad common
tarv ON an editors idea Of the proper
ton of things when he gives columns
of snace 10 denouncing change OF
text books which will entail an extra
expense Of a postage stamp annually
for each child. 1t is not one-tenth OF
what the children spend for chewing
gum, .,.o :, +bo+
the chief criticism of the work OF the
commission have been inspired by rep
Presentations of book companies that
have been unsuccessful in the compe'
tition for business. No competent
Judge will deny that every book dis
placed was unsatisfactory. Members
Of the commission can show scores Of
letters from experienced teachers ask