The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-01-22
PROF. ADAMS GIVES
ATTITUDE ON STATE
TEXT 1bOOK QUESTION
Mason County Member Of State Text.
Book Commission In Interview on
Adopting Books For Ken
tucky Schools.

Mr.. John Hurst Adams, Supermten-
dent Of the Consolidated Schools at
Minerva, Mason county, has given out
the following interview in regard to
his attitude in the matter of adopting
textbooks for the schools of Ken
lucky. Mr.. Adams was recently ap-
pointed a member of the Kentucky
State Textbook Commission, as the
member from the Sixth Appellate Dis
trict. The Commission meets on Feb
ruary II to make adoDtions of school
books for the next five years.
81 am fully conscious of the grave
responsibility that attaches to men,
bership on the Commission that is
charged with the adoption of the
books for all of the public schools of
Kentucky. l am anxious, therefore,
to truly serve the schools OF Ken
tucky in discharging my duties. My
appointment came to me unsolicited
and unexpected, and so, l feel under
obligation to no one, except to the
school children, the teachers and the
parents of the State, whose interests
I am under oath to serve.
at has been charged in times past,
and l must confess, with some degree
of reason for the accusation. that for
mer Textbook Commissions have
shown partiality to friends in the pub
fishing business in making the selec-
tion of books for the public schools,
To me 1t seems one position in which
friendship cannot have part In
casting my vote as member of the
Commission. shall have in mind only
the interests of the students who musr
study the books, the teachers who
must teach them and the parents who
must pay for them.
"In view of the heavy burdens that
have been laid upon our people during
the last year in support of the war
and war activities, am of the opin-
ion that only so few changes in school
books as are absolutely necessary
should be made. A frew books
have proved so very unsatisfac-
tory as to warrant their being sup
planted by better ones; some of the
books now in use cannot be furnished
by the publishers at the old prices; in
the case Of the Biographies and His
tories, which must be entirely re-writ.
ten as a result of the political changes
in Europe, changes will be necessary
Each book, however, should be care.
fully scrutinized by the Commission
before change is decided upon.
Briefly stated, my working plat
form as member Of the Textbook
Commission, shall be this: The bes
book for the schools of Kentucky, a
the least possible cost, and with a!
few changes as are absolutely neces
sary.
81 am only one of twelve member!
on the Commission, and, 80, canno
speak for the other members. an
impressed, however, with the higl
character and ability Of the other gen
tlemen composing the Commission
and feel that l can say with assuranc,
that they will be equally as Jealous a,
in discharging their trust.
"The Commission meets Februar!
II for the purpose Of receiving bids
and making adoptions. Any com
munication by teacher or other per
son interested in good textbooks, a
the least possible cost, for the school!
of Kentucky, will confer favor OF
me personally, and will enable me tn,
better to represent him in the selec
ton of the school books for our Stat,
for the next five years, II he will writ,
me his wishes before February II
Address me at Minerva, KY"