The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-07
Sharp Criticism of System Which
Causes Inconvenience
Each Year.
BLAME PLACED
ON CONTRACTOR
Superintendent Edwards SAYS
Supply Should Come From
Jacksonville.

With the opening of school already
delayed for one month, on account
Of the epidemic or Influenza, class
work now is badly delayed on ac-
count of a shortage of school books.
A. S. Edwards, superintendent of
public instruction, last night, when
asked as to the condition which is now
prevailing, and which has given -sse
to much criticism, said that the prim-
ary grades are at least a third short
of the requisite number of books. and
that grammar schools and high school
students are also as yet far from
fully supplied.
The books are furnished to the
schools of the state through the Flor
ida School Book Depository, with
headquarters in JACKSONVILLE This
company is under bond to the state.
The books are handled locally through
the Hargis Pharmacy.
This is not the first time the county
schools have had trouble with tho
state school book depository, accord
ing to Mr.. Edwards, but the trouble
has been greater this year than ever
before.
Mr.. Edwards said that the pupils
are given lists of the needed books
by the teachers on the opening day
of school. and that the usual plan
was carried out this year. He said
that, while there are more pupils than
the number is not anywhere near
great enough to account for the short
age, for which he seemed to hold the
state depository responsible.
Mr.. Edwards said that on October
2 he wrote the state superintendent.
W. N. Sheats, telling him that the
supply Of books was short, and ask
ing him that he take up the matter.
He has since wired Mr.. Sheats, but
SO far has received no supply.
Miss Modesto Hargis, manager OF
the local agency, said that she did
not solicit the contract with the state
school book depository, but was ap-
preached by their agent, who offered
her the business. Miss HargiS said
that one Of the first questions she
put to him was in reference to order
ing the school books, and he informed
her that. she would not have TO take
up any of these details, but that the
books would be shipped. after cor1-
ference with the superintendent OF
public instruction and other school
authorities.
On September 10, c. r. Johnson,
who had previously handled the
books, turned over the remainder OF
tember 9Th, having received no Ship
ment from the company, and getting
many inquiries from country schools.
Miss Hargks wrote the depository
asking that they make shpmient or
the books at once, on account OF these
calls. This was followed by a wire
and the first consignment was ship
ped on September 10th, followed by
several later shipments.
A state official from Gainesville,
who was in the. city yesterday, said
that it was his understanding that
ther was a great deal Of trouble in
some other sections of the stase, on
account of the way the school books
are being handled.
Mr. Edwards said that according TO
the original contract that tho s.Hte
has had with the depository, they
were under a five-year contract, which
dated from 1911, and which was re-
newed by the legislature and will not
expire, according 10 his understanding
mill 1910