The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-05

SMITH IN WARNING.
Sees an Attempt To Wreck
State Textbook Law.
Resigning State Printer Writes
Farewell Letter to Allen.
SAYS STATUTE HAS MADE GOOD
Saved School Patrons Price of
State Plant i'm One Year.
Enemy Interests, Would Change
Commission Personnel.
SAYS STATUTE HAS MADE GOOD

W. r. Smith, who has resigned as |
state printer, today, in a letter to Gov |
ernor Allen and members of the legis- !
lature, warned against the danger of
changing the present state school book
laws. Smith asserts that he has in
formation that an attemp< will be
made to wreck the present laws by
EASTERN book concerns. "One of their
most important moves" he said, would
be an attempt to change the personnel
of the textbook commission" He as
serts that their work would be easy
with inexperienced members on the
job.
Smith, in his letter, gives con-
densed report of the financial condi-
ton of the school book printing plant.
Briefly the report shows that $685.
S47.90 has been spent on the plant and
equipment Assets of s427, SO are
shown, besides saving on books sold
in the last year of $294,094.46.
Il think" says Smith. ''that the present
law should not be changed or tempered
with 1t is true that it has few minor
there is no telling where it will end or
what nnfriendIy legislation will be in
serted in it. The present law has made
good.
Outlines Teachers Plan.
"A few teachers and some others who
personnel of the commission be changed
and 1t be made up of school teachers. Civ
select the school books. as they are the
ones who use them and can do a better
job than a mixed commission. The pres
| ent law places three teachers on the COM
mission, one state printer, one farmer, and
! leaves the administration the privilege of
| appointing two members. either teachers
or anyone else. The law does not say that
| teachers cannot be appointed by the gov
So The present mt Commission s invited i the he
State Teachers association to appoint a
committee of TEACHERS to act as advisory in
nf have
this for the past year. Four adoptions
were made; and Of these four. all were acted
books recommended by the committee were
adopted.
! Law Has Two Weak Points.
| "a weak point in the present law con-
slider, is the fact that the member of the
| agricultural board is selected only for one
year. He is not selected for the purpose of
1 serving on the textbook commission but for
tural board He is on the commission
| the workings of the commission until his
| time has expired. If the agricultural board
Der and let him serve indefinitely. or for
number of terms, that evil would be over
s,o The ether weak polnt is that the the
state printer should act as chairman of
| this commission, because there are many
| matters coming up from day to day in the
| operating of the plant and buying Of goods
| that 1t Is next to impossible to run the
| pass matters from day to day. These
! are the only two changes that 1 would
recommend should the law be changed.
| THE eastern book concerns. some of the
! teachers and the official publication of the
| teachers association are not friendly to
any interest WAS shown that they in
elined to oppose rather than help its en-
should have good. thoro trial and is en-
| titled to honest support.
tive period. 1t will take two or three years
to work out the plans now in the minds
complete operation. 1t would be great
| mistake to, Mt this time, make changes in
the law which may hinder the carrying out
of their plans.
| Gives Kansas Best Books.
| "The law far is doing this :-Giving
Kansas. the best school books she ever
had. This is claimed by the friends of the
textbook law and admitted by a majority
of the leading teachers.
"The books are selling at 40 per cent less
than the same books are sold for in other
| states.
During the last fiscal year the saving
| made the school books and the state
printing would pay for the building, plant
The proposition is giving work and. sup
per. year is being paid to Kansas workmen
that would have been sent TO eastern states
had this plan not been inaugurated.
| 'Ihe people Of Kansas having elected
me for the enforcement of this law, would
be violating my trust if did not call your
attention to the danger of changing this
law at this time. An eastern book concern
INFORMED me that an effort would be made
by the book people during this legislature
to wreck the present law. One of their
most important moves would be to change
the personnel of the commission. With a
new commission not familiar with the past
history and the business workings of the
commission their destructive work would
| be easy. Kansas now has better school
books than ever before. This is conceded
by everyone, even the teachers, as the en-
| closed circular will prove. The prices are
cheaper (more than 40 per cent cheaper
than in other states, so why not let well
enough alone? With this wonderful show
ing while still in a formative state what
may We expect when We have had time to
fully enlarge and develop the possibilities +?
As it is, the Kansas state printing
plant is known in practically every state
in the Union and many states now
considering following. this plan. Again /
say, let us leave well enough alone and
not run the risk of hampering the good
J work by the possible selection of an I'm
friendly commission. 1t is developing that
everyone who is against state publication
of school books is IN favor of changing the
law. so let US take no chances. and leave it
| alone"