Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-03-02

years. 1t had absolute authority by law
for its actions. The only criticism that
can be urged against the board is
whether or not it acted wisely in the
adoption Of the books at this time. on
this point the opinion of the witnesses
differ. good authority and reputable
gentlemen, men whose honesty and in
tegrity could not be questioned have
given testimony to both sides of this
question"
THE bids submitted to the board were
opened on Dec. II, 1920 and typewriter
copies We're made by the office Of the
State superintendent Of instruction and
sent to each member of the board and to
every book company that requested a
copy. The board met in January and
again in February. During that time
We ind that the prices were public prop
erty and there is no evidence before this.
committee of criticism Of high prices by
any one. The first time that the ques-
ton Of prices was raised was on the
date Of the adoption and after the board
had reached its decision. The question
Of course being raised by unsuccessful
bidders
UNSUCCESS FUL
BIDDERS HIGH.
1--WE also find that the bids OF many
Of the unsuccessful bidders were in
nearly all instances as high as those Of
the successful bidder. We also find that
cost between the adopted books and old
books now IN use as follows: New bid
on old books, total, $673; adopted books,
total, Sill.
"It will be seen by this table of prices
that there is a difference Of % cents in
the cost between the nine books now In
use and the nine books that were
adopted.
THE committee had evidence before it.
that In some places in the State the old
books were satisfactory. 1t also had
evidence before it that In some parts Of
the State they had been discarded, be-
cause they were not considered satisfac-
tory and other books had been adopted
in their place. We are also informed
that the action Of the board in adopting
the books was legal and that its action
formed the basis OF the contract and
that the signing Of the papers was merely
a form matter carrying it out and that
it does not matter what action the Sen
ate takes in this matter that the contract
has been let.
LAW SHOULD GIVE
MORE LATITUDE.
1.-The committee believes that If the law
governing the letting Of these contracts
could be amended so as to give to the
board more latitude in the letting Of
these contracts 1t would have been pos
sible in view Of the receding prices gem
orally to have saved to the patrons of
the State of Indiana some money in
buying of said school books.
"On one or two occasions the adop-
ton was delayed to a later day. AS to
the ACCESSIBILITY Of this there was a CON
iict Of opinion on the account OF not
being able to get the books in time for
use when the schools opened in the fall
Three, Of the members of the board ia
vorcd pOstponing the adoption and ten
wished the plan which was followed. In
sill cases the book that was adopted was
done by the unanimous vote of the board
I'VE recommended that the Governor of
the State of Indiana direct investigation
covering the laws regulating school book
adoption and that the finding made by
this investigation be presented to the
next General Assembly Of the State of
Indiana so that if in its judgment any
changes or amendments to the present
law are necessary they can be made so
as to safeguard at all times the financial
as well as the educational interests of
the State.
1--WE also find that the State board of
education is a nonpardsan board and
composed of men of high character and
integrity, some of whom have given years
to the cause Of education and we be-
lieve that they have at all times and in
all places tried to keep all educational
questions out of the realm of party poll
tics and it is the opinion of the signers
of this report that there is nothing poll
teal in the actions Of this board and in
view Of all the circumstances we prefer
to withhold judgment"
MINORITY
REPORT.
The minority report is as follows:
your Committee on Rights and Privi-
leges begs leave to submit the following
report concerning its investigations of
the wisdom Of awarding contracts on Feb.
1, 1921.
1.-The members Of the State board of
school book commissioners were invited
to be present at a meeting of this COM
mittee TO be held in the office of the SUI
perintendent of public instruction Mon