The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-25
SCHOOL BOOK
FIRMS LOSE
HOUSE FIGHT
Publishers viii Continue
Effort to Defeat Bills in
State Senate.

still smarting from the grueling
indictment made against them in
the house Of representatives late
Tuesday when three bills were
passed slashing their enormous
profits, textbook publishers today
rallied their forces to defeat the
bills in the senate.
Bitter denunciation of the meth
DDS used by the textbook companies
through the circulation of anony-
nous pamphlets and letters and Of
the Interpretations and misstate-
ments made by the opponents of
the measure" was hurled by Repre-
sentative DELPHI McKesson MAR
shalD, Democratic floor leader, in
his fight for the bills.
Support was accorded him by Fa-
bus Gwin Oem., Dubois and Mar
tin) and Clarence o. Schlegel dem,
Clay), a teacher, and Chester K.
Watson Oem., Allen and Whitley)
Solicitation Limited
The first bill, passed 1928, pro-
Wdes for the adoption hereafter by
the state board of education Of null
tiple lists, up to four, of textbooks
! for grade schools. Each public
school corporation may make indi-
vidual selection from such multiple
adoptions through a committee Of
teachers and superintendent au-
thorized to act.
The bill prohibits school book
company representatives from So
Letting business, except on invita-
ton; and, what is more important,
provides for the automatic reduc-
ton Of prices on any books sold
for less in other states.
The bill also provides that in re-
adoption of books only one new text
may be adopted every five years, in
stead of selecting all new books
every five years as at present. 1t
would also permit school corpora
tons to adopt such books as fit the
neeGs Of the community and allows
for a range in prices.
Rental Is Permitted
A companion measure applying
to high school texts was passed
1928, while third bill, adopted
67-22, permits school units to rent
books to the students at Is per cent
per year of the original cost.
Opposition 90 the bill was voiced
by three Marion county represen-
tatives, Gerritt M. Bates, Russell
Dean and E. Curtis White.
Leading the offensive, Bates de-
clared the bill gives unlimited pow
er to the school trustees in the
adoption of the books and would
force publishers out of business by
reducing the purchase price Of the
books. Dean said there was no
need for such a bill in this session
as the price Of books would be
raised.
Watson took them to task for
these statements and declared they
either had not read the bill or
we're simply making the same mis-
statements made by the publishers
in their circulars"
Declaring that thousands of peo-
pie in the state are not able to con-
tinue buying new books" McKes-
son said, 'the terrible cost should
be lifted.
Charges Malicious Act
1.-THE school book trust has ma
liciously and underhandedly issued
and circulated pamphlets declaring
that this is a text book company
measure in an attempt to misguide
the members of this assembly.
There is a house rule against cir
culating anonymous letters of this
type. would like to have the gen.
tlemen who wrote the letter sign
their names and come out in the
open.
IF the school book trusts and the
gentlemen who are working for
them would let these bills be passed
there would be no more supple
mental texts" NcKesson said.
IF you want to let the American
Book Company and the rest of the
high binders dictate what shall be
used in your schools, then vote
against this and the following bills
and kneel at the shrine Of the
American Book Company"