The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-29
THE SCHOOL BOOK ROW

# HERE is some evidence Of an effort to make political capital out of
the text book adoption made by the last state board of education,
with the opening Of the term September I. We have seen in one or
two democratic committee advertisements, issued in Mr. Hanna 5 in
Iterest. statements tending 10 prove tnat the protests against use of
the new text books have been inspired by Mr.. Hanna 5 supporters.
OF course il is obvious that the adoption Of a set of text books for
use in New Mexico public schools has not the renotest connection
with the elc etion of a United States senator, or with a senator's duties
Tor responsibilities. Even if this matter were brought up in a state
officer election it would not hold as a political issue. The present
state administration did not adopt the new text books, nor the pres
ent board of education. The former board, like the present one, is a
non partisan board.
The effort to make a political issue mt of this matter, however,
is small bore politics Of the meanest variety. That effort will meet
with the rebuke it deserves.
The cost of the new text books has been greatly magni6cd. 1t
been as high or higher than the new. There is no question but that
the new books are an improvement. The difference in cost between
the old books at the old prices and the new books is not enough to
lseriously embarrass the finances Of any family that is able to buy
school books at all. The books for the sixth grade are most costly
cost s947 and the first grade books $500.
The effort in some districts 10 force the use Of the old books
one, aud will simply interfere with the efficiency Of the teaching
forces and the results for the child.
The most sensible statement covering this matter shat we have
seen Is the following from the Roswell Record;
AS 10 the quality OF the new books from an educational stand
lPolnt we do NOT know. We only know that they have been selected
lby a board from the educational experts OF the state, among them
being Colonel Wilson, Of the Institute, and others Of similar edu.a-
uonol authority WIN the backing Of this board we are led to believe
that the new books are superior to the old ones We believe they
would not have been adopted otherwise. Furthermore, we are satisfied
tract they made was the best one they could secure. If there is a
Book Trust the feeble effort of the obicctos in Roswell is not going
to break II mp M tins way, but on the other hand will result in chaos
in the public schools Of Roswell.
Briefly, our position is his:
new books being used in the schools Of Roswell some method that
VIII not dsorganlze the school year should be employed, if it is nee
essary TO do So But TO save five dollars we are unwilling to send a
child through a disorganized school year.
'The Record has no objection TO the use of the old books. al
though the new books may be superior. We do not pretend to know
We are not objecdng to any arrangement that can be made to use
ing TO ANYTHING that will tend to disorganize the schools for the com
ing year We are IN full accord with any movement in a legal way
directing to strike methods, mob law, TO brute force or similar pro.