Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-14
As To THE NJ: "
SCHOOL BOOKS
Read What Our First State SUI
perintendcnt of Public In
structlon Has to Say.
Who Is Prof.tlng? The Text
Book Publishers?

w Az lNopcllSibiO IA NiAN
money the patrons are paying
out in equipping the children
with an entire new set Of books?
There is but one answer.-YOU
KNOW WHERE THE RE
SPONSIBILITY RESTS.
You know why 1t may bt
necessary for you to keep your
children out of school. Ask your
dealer what the new prices are
and what the exchange price for
your old books are, and this vii
show you the financial burden
you are called upon to bear ir
this matter. Can YOU afford it?
If you can, Is it light that got
should? A premature adoption
when no one, but text oook tub
fishers were asking for ii. irice'
fixed when they prevailed at the
highest point. A change IN al
text books but the inexpensive
writing system.
Under date of June Is, 1915
IN adoption Of textbooks for Use
In the eight grades Of the pubic
schools OF the state was made
for a period OF six years, or TN
til June Is, 1921, as provided for
by the state constitution. ant
binding contracts as 20 prices
distribution. etc. entered lnt'
with the successful bidders. -
far as the patrons teachers ant
educational forces in the STATE
were concerned, these look
gave general satisfaction as Il
merit and prices. 1t was con
templated at this adoption ina
hooks of sucn merit would e
chosen, as a rule, that no stea
change would he needed, whor
the contracts expired, jane 10
1921.
Under date or December 10
1920, or a few days before W.
change of state administrator
whereby a new governor and
new tate superintendent Holi
be indicted mo ffice, an
shortly thereafter a " s,Gl
board of ed action would )e up
pointed, IND six months befor,
the expiration Of the 1915 htol
contracts, an adoption was helC
and a sweeping change in text
books made, or, In fact, com
plete change with tho exception
of the Zaner Writing Method
and when the very highest peal
In book prices prevailed.
School patrons OF the stat
were not fully aware of wha
this adoption meant to them, u
dollars and cents, until just nov
when the schools are opening
and they are required to pur
chase a complete new outfit o
books for their children o
school age. and at time wher
there is everywhere a financia
depression ana an absolute
scarcity Of money. They are be
ginning to ask why this sweep
ing change ard why an adoption
was made back in 1920, 81
months before the expiration o
he then adoption and contracts
Who wanted an adoption of lex
books in December, 1920? Wa
there any wide spread dissatis
faction with the then books
We're the patrons petltioni1g thu
state board for All adoption o
rlfange in books? We're the edu
rational forces Of the state de
handing a change then? No ac
ZION or discussion even was haC
At the meeting of tnese forces q
the state teachers meeting Il
albuquerque. during ThanksSiV
ing week, the last of November
1920, and a few days before IN
adoption, relative 10 an immedi
ate adoption, and no Gissatisfac
ton with the then books OK
pressed at that meeting. Then.
repeat "Who wanted an adop
ton in December 1902" Unit
some one answers this questioi
to the satisfaction of school pa
irons, they are going TO con
clude that said adoption wa
premature, and that somebod
was interested. Why was not tn
adoption passed up to the neN
administration. same ID be mad
in the early part Of 1921, effec
tive from June Is, 1921 the dat
the old contracts expired? Wh
were not the patrons and schoc
officials consulted as to change
or steps taken to learn VIVA
their wishes were in this mat
ter? 1t was fine example g
the people being left entirely on
OF the situation. About Angus
0, 1921, the people OF Ia
Cruces began to realize the 81
burden placed upon them ar
held a mass meeting. and pet
toned for a redress OF IN
wrong, as they saw 1t. but n
action was taken by the piope
authorities, other than a lette
issued telling the people OF VI
educationai services OF IN
members Of the adopting boarc
The people OF Roswell and else
where likewise petitioned. N
were UNDECIDED by the prcser
administration. Patrons Will pa
the price in dollars snd cent
of the sweeping change. Grant
ed that the present books ar
equal Ill merit. or even superio
in some instances. IS the swcer
ing change justified az Zines a
hard as the present? For 81
years the patrons rad + 1rchase
the 1915 books, these were
their homes. ready for use b
the younger children or for sal
to their neighbors' children at
mere nominal figure: the loo;
dealers had them on the
shelves; the state distribute
had or could procure hem: tn
publishers were filling the
contracts; and. In difficult, I
nancial times, the patrons coul
have gotten along at nomin;
figure; but as 1t Is. they mus
make an entirely new outlay
thousands of dollars. at tin
when they can i'll afford 1t.