Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-06-01
School Text Books
equipped.

Richmond, Va, June among
the most important problems IN con-
nectiou with the puolic schools OF
Virginia is that Of securing an ade-
uuate number of text books at the
proper time. Virginia, ever since
1918, has been securing text books at
pre-war prices, due to the TACT tnat
contracts were then signed with an
extension period which does not nm
ally expire until July, of this year.
In good many instances the ac-
ual cost OF making the text BOOKS
has been greater than the retail
price at winch the books have been
bought School patrons should bear III
mind that the cost Of making text
books, including the cost or paper,
binding and similar expenses, mas IN
creased in about the same proportion
as practically everything else. The
prices at this time are so much
higher than they have formerly been
that the State Board of Education
was unwilling to sign four ca year
contract, but rather has extended the
present list of books for one year, OIL
course, new prices.
Uusally it Will be found that the
price of the book will be increased
IN inverse ratio to its gradatlon.
The small primary books viii SHOW
the heavier per cent OF increase,
whereas, a few Of the high school
tiles indicate little or no Increase az
all.
The State Board of Education is
urging, first of all that great care be
used TO preserve old text books, A
large per cent Of these may be disable
next year and; when so used, will
eliminate the necessity Of purchasing
new books. The number of text
books to be bought by the student
has been decreased as lar as the
requirements of a reasonable course
of study would justly, and in this
way also an attempt is being made
to meet the higher costs involved.
A matter of primary Importance IS
to provide the text books may
secured at he opening of schools. In
order to bring about this situation
superintendent are required to make
up their acquisitions by the first OF
June. The local school board, on the
recommendation of the Superintend-
emit, will decide whether to Purchase
these books direct from the publish
ers. or appoint some agent to handle
the books in 4 given county.
If an agent be appointed, he must
place his orders promptly with the
various publishers. The publishers
will ship early enough in the sum-
mer to insure delivery Of books be-
fore the opening Of schools. The ae-
ent of the school board buys from
the publisher at wholesale price. f.
o. b. publisher, and is permitted to
sell at retail price rot TO exceed III
any case twenty GO per cent? added
to the wholesale price.
The local merchant therefore is
allowed sixteen or sixteen and half
per cent for doing business. 1t is
hoped that this more attractive ar
rangement for the local dealer will
greatly enhance his interest in the
book business and fix his determina-
ton to provide adequate distribution
Such an agent may, necessary, APP
point sub agents over the country
When the School Board handles
books these are ordered direct from
the various publishers, the books
being shipped TO some central point
in the country. Provision is then
made by which these books will be
distributed to the individual school
room.
On the first day of school pupils