New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-08-19

in the United States, and that if said
books are offered for sale elsewhere
in the United States at lower prices,
except those supplied on contracts en-
tered into prior to December 9th, 1920,
or if at any time lower contract prices
are made elsewhere in the United
States, New Mexico shall be grant
cd the same reduction and be given
the same prices, the said reduced
prices to be effective July 18th next
following the date OF such reduction,
This section fully protects our school
patrons on the price of books. Al
ready three of the book companies
have indicated such reductions in
price and New Mexico under her on
tracts will benefit by these price re-
auctions.
You state IN your letter that any
wen informed educator will say that
the newly adopted books with the
exception OF the Brooks Readers,
which should have been displaced,
are inferior to the old. While ! was
not a member OF the State Board of
Education which made this adoption,
or the State Board which made the
previous adoption, | resent the impu-
tation that the old State Board OF
Education was not composed of we'll
informed educators. Col. James w.
Wilson as head of the Military ms
titute at Roswell for eighteen years
has brought that Institution to the
rank in second in the United States.
Mrs. Josie Lockard has served the
state faithfully in the City of Ration.
Hitherto no aspersion has been asst
against her work or her ability. Col.
Jose ID. Sena, Clerk OF the Supreme
Court was Tor years a member of
the Board OF Education, Santa Fe,
and has all OF his life interested him
self in the educational affairs of the
State. Hon, Amado ChaveS in so far
gained the confidence and respect OF
the people OF New Mexico as to serve
as our Territorial Superintendent Of
Public Instruction and his admins
tration Of this office speaks for it
self, The last appointive member OF
the old Board of Education, Mr.. Earl
Douglass served as County Superin-
tendent OF San Juan County and also
as Superintendent OF the Schools at
Aztec. | personally thought sufficient
Of his ability to appoint him as my
assistant, and | have had no rea-
son to change my mind concerning
him. The ex-officio members Of the
State Board OF Education consisting
Of the Governor and the State Super
intendent were the choice OF the peo-
pie. They need no brief in their be
half nor do the others whom ! have
mentioncd-the appointive members OF
he Board Every member Of this
Board OF Education was connected
with school affairs either directly or
indirectly previous to his or her SER
vice on this Board,
Personally, ! can say for the office
| represent, that there is nothing to
hide in connection with the book
adoption, If irregularities existed, l
agree with you that the limelight
should be thrown on these irregula-
do believe. however, that
any investigation you may make con-
corning the book adoption will con-
you relative to the three points
you raise as t legality, price
of books and qualifications of the
members of the Board of Education.
First; that the adoption was legal,
Second; New Mexico School pa
are and always have been pro-
tected on the price of the books.
Third; that the adoption was made
by men and women who were thor
honest, thoroughly interested
the welfare of the school children
and the school patrons of New Mex
co, and that the members of this
Board were educated men and wom-
IN who took into consideration the
Of the educators of the State
a. well as their own good judgment
when the adoption was made
| hope that | have placed this mat
cr before you clearly and assuring
'ou that | shall welcome at all times