REPORT OF THE School Book Investigating Committee TO THE General Assembly OF Georgia 1914 MAY 27 1914 1 \ RLPORT OF THE 5CHOOL BOOK INVL5TIGATING COMMITTLL M. L. BRITTAIN, State Superintendent of Schools, Chairman Hon. A. H. FOSTER. Senator, 27th District, Vice-Chairman Hon. JOHN T. PEYTON. Senator, Slst District Hon. C. R. McCRORY, Representative, Schley County Hon. H. C. SHUPTRINE, Representative, Chatham County Hon. W. J. NUNNALLY. Representative, Floyd County Dr. G. R. GLENN. Member State Board of Education Dr. T. J. WOOFTER. Member State Boavd of Education REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BOOK INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE To the Members of the General Assembly of Georgia: Gentlemen: The following resolution, known as House Resolution No. 17, was approved August 18, 1913 : "Whereas, The contract for school books for the public schools of Georgia expires this year, and, "Whereas, It appears that the present prices paid for school books are exorbitant when compared to the prices of other school books, "Be it resolved therefore by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That a joint committee of eight, composed of the State Superintendent of Schools and two other members of the State Board of Education, in addition to said Superin- tendent, to be selected by said Board, who, together with two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Sen- ate, and three members of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House, shall be a committee to inquire into and report as soon as practicable on the reasonableness of the present price of school books, and inquire into the prices of books used else- where, and also as to the practicability of the State furnishing school books for use in the public schools at cost of publication, and to make all investigation that may be necessary touching upon the furnishing of all books used in the Common and High Schools receiving State aid at cost of publication, and delivery of the same. "Be it further resolved, That said Committee is hereby clothed with authority to subpoena witnesses, to take evidence, to employ a stenographer, and compel the production of docu- ments and do such other acts as are necessary for this inves- tigation. "Be it further resolved. That said Committee shall make a report of its investigation, together with the testimony thereof, to the present session of the General Assembly, provided the investigation shall be concluded in time to render such report at the present session of the General Assembly. If the report, together with the testimony thereof, be not rendered to the present session of the General Assembly, then such report, to- gether with the testimony thereof, shall be made at the next regular session of the General Assembly. "Be it further resolved. That said Committee is authorized to sit at such times and places as said Committee may direct, and if said investigation is not concluded before the adjourn- ment of the present session of the General Assembly, then the members of said Committee, except the State Superintendent and two other members of the Board of Education selected by said Board, shall receive each a per diem of four dollars arid actual necessary expenses incurred in this investigation, except while the Legislature is in session, which shall be sworn to, and when approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, said per diem and expenses shall be paid out of any fund in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. *'Be it further resolved, That the State Board of Education or School Book Commission is hereby authorized to make new contracts, or in its discretion renew the present contracts for school books for five years at the regular time, as provided by law this year, with the proviso that said contract can be abro- gated as to any adoption after twelve months' notice to the publishers of said book or books. "Be it further resolved. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this resolution be, and the same are, hereby re- pealed." ORGANIZATION The two members selected by the State Board of Education in accordance with the resolution were G. R. Glenn and T. J, Woofter. The first meeting of the Committee appointed was held at the office of the State Department of Education on September 26, 1913. M. L. Brittain was elected Chairman and A. H. Foster, Viee-Chairman. In accordance with the pro- vision for an official stenographer, J. A. Northcutt was chosen for this work. In addition to the one mentioned, meetings have been held at the State Department of Education on the follow- ing dates: January 21, 1914; April 3, 1914, and April 28, 1914. As set forth in the resolution, we have made diligent effort to inquire into the present prices of school books used elsewhere, the practicability of the State furnishing school books used in the public schools at cost of publication, and have en- deavored to secure all information possible concerning the fur- nishing of books used in the Common and High Schools of the State at cost of publication and delivery. The minutes of these various meetings, together with all books, pamphlets and corre- spondence are on file at the State Department of Education, and this material is accessible at any and all times to any member of •the General Assembly who may desire to inspect the original documents. COMPARATIVE PRICES One of the first duties placed upon the Committee was to report upon the prices of books used elsewhere in order to be able to make comparison with the prices paid in Georgia. With this end in view, letters were written to all of the States of the Union, and countries abroad in addition. The statement having been circulated that "most of the leading countries of Europe publish their own books and deposit them where the users can secure them at the least expense," the United States Bureau of Education was consulted. In a letter dated April 14, 1914, Professor Smith, the specialist in Foreign Ed- ucational Systems, writes, "In European Countries, in general, text books are prepared by professors, teachers, and others en- gaged in the work of education and are placed on the market by publishing houses practically in the same way as in this coun- try." Comparison as to prices could not be made in some of the States by reason of the fact that in them full liberty as to adoption and purchase is given to local authorities and parents. Conditions have, however, enough similarity to our own in 21 other States to enable us to tell as to whether or not we pay extravagant prices for our school books. These use practically our texts for the required basal books in the common schools and where the number varies, this fact is indicated. The list below is presented in alphabetical order : Comparative Cost of the Required Basal School Books Used in the Grades Below the High School in 21 States Having Uniform Text Book Adoption ALABAMA. Primer $ .22 First Header 20 Second Reader 25 Third Reader 30 Fourth Reader 35 Fifth Reader 40 Arithmetic, 4 books 1.24 Grammar, 3 books 1.09 Total, $9.85; note that this state has 4 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 2 in Physiology, and 6 in "Writing. Geography, 2 books $1.28 History, 3 books 1.80 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 86 Civics 55 Spelling, 2 books 41 Writing, 6 books 30 ARIZONA. Primer $ .30 First Reader 25 Second Reader 35 Third Reader 40 Fourth Reader 40 Fifth Reader 40 Arithmetic, 2 books 1.10 Grammar, 3 books 1.45 Total, $9.95; note that this state has no text in Agriculture nor Civics and only 2 in History, but there are 3 in Grammar and 2 in Physiology. Geography, 2 books $1.75 History, 2 books 1.50 Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 1.05 Civics, no text Spelling, 2 books 55 Writing 45 FLORIDA. Primer $ .25 First Reader 25 Second Reader .35 Third Reader 45 Fourth Reader 45 Fifth Reader 55 Arithmetic, 3 books 1.09 Grammar, 2 books 71 Total, $10.10; note that this State has 3 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Physiology, 9 in Writing, and 1 Speller. Geography, 2 books $ 1.28 History, 3 books 1.64 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 3 books 1.35 Civics 50 Spelling 18 Writing, 9 books 45 6 GEOBGIA. Primer $ .14 First Eeader 16 Second Eeader 18 Third Eeader 25 Fourth Eeader 40 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 2 books 55 Grammar, 2 books 76 Total, $7.90. IDAHO. Primer $ .30 First Eeader 35 Second Eeader 40 Third Eeader 45 Fourth Eeader 50 Fifth Eeader 60 Arithmetic, 2 books 95 Grammar, 3 books 1.55 Total, $10.09; note that this state has no text in Agriculture, only 1 in History, and 1 in Spelling, but there are 3 in Grammar and 2 in Physiology. INDIANA. Geography, 2 books $ 1.28 History, 3 books 1.70 Agriculture 55 Physiology 50 Civics 44 Spelling, 2 books 24 Writing, 7 books 35 Geography, 2 books $1.75 History LOO Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 1.10 Civics 54 Spelling 20 Writing 40 Primer .' . $ .15 First Eeader 15 Second Eeader 20 Third Eeader 25 Fourth Eeader 30 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 2 books 95 Grammar, 2 books 65 Total, $5.85; this State has no text in Agriculture nor Civics, only 1 in Geography, 1 in History, 1 in Spelling, and 5 in Writing, but these are 2 texts in Physiology. Books' are bought at wholesale by the Boards of Education. KANSAS. Geography $ .90 History 75 Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 80 Civics, no text Spelling 10 Writing, 5 books 25 Primer $ .12 First Eeader 10 Second Reader 17 Third Eeader 23 Fourth Eeader 30 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 3 books 80 Grammar, 2 books 55 Total, $5.57; 10 per cent, is added to this price by the dealers. Note that there is no text in Agriculture, only 1 in History, 1 in Spelling; but there are 8 in writing and 3 in Arithmetic. Geography, 2 books $1.05 History 50 Agriculture, no text Civics 40 Spelling 10 Writing, 8 books 40 Physiology 45 KENTUCKY. Primer $ .10 First Eeader 12 Second Eeader 20 Third Eeader 20 Fourth Eeader 35 Fifth Eeader 45 Arithmetic, 4 books 98 Grammar, 4 books 1.65 Total, $8.82; this State has no text in Agriculture and only 1 in Spelling, but there are 4 in Arithmetic and 4 in Grammar. LOUISIANA. Geography, 2 books $1.20 History, 3 books 1.75 Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 90 Civics 45 Spelling 12 Writing, 7 books 35 Primer $ .25 First Eeader 25 Second Eeader 35 Third Eeader 35 Fourth Eeader 35 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 4 books 1.01 Grammar, 2 books 62 Total, $9.94; this State has 4 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 2 in Physiology, and 8 in Writing but only 1 in Spelling. MISSISSIPPI. Geography, 2 books $1.28 History, 4 books 2.50 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 80 Civics 60 Spelling 18 Writing, 8 books 40 Primer $ .20 First Eeader 23 Second Eeader 32 Third Eeader 36 Fourth Eeader 30 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 4 books 1.26 Grammar, 3 books 87 Total, $9.54; this State has 4 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 2 in Physiology, and 8 in Writing. Geography, 2 books ...$1.28 History, 3 books 1.70 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 82 Civics 54 Spelling, 2 books 26 Writing, 8 books 40 MONTANA. Primer $ .30 First Eeader 30 Second Eeader 30 Third Eeader 40 Fourth Eeader 50- Fifth Eeader 50 Arithmetic, 3 books 1.15 Grammar, 2 books 90 Total, $10.65; this State has no text in Agriculture, only 2 in History, and 1 in Spelling, but it has 3 in Arithmetic and 2 in Physiology. Geography, 2 books $1.80 History, 2 books 1.55 Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 1.10 Civics 65 Spelling 25 Writing, 8 books 95 8 NEVADA. Primer $ .30 First Eeader 30 Second Eeader 35 Third Reader 50 Fourth Eeader 50 Fifth Reader 50 Arithmetic, 2 books 1.00 Grammar, 2 books 1.15 Total, $10.65; this State has no text in Agriculture nor Civics, only 2 in History, and 1 in Spelling. Geography, 2 books $ 2.00 History, 2 books 1.80 Agriculture, no text Physiology 75 Civics, no text Spelling .30 Writing 1 20 NEW MEXICO. Primer $ .20 First Eeader .25 Second Eeader 35 Third Eeader 40 Fourth Eeader 40 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 2 books 92 Grammar, 4 books 1.75 Total, $10.42; this State has no text in Agriculture, but has 4 in Grammar, 2 in Physiology, and 8 in Writing. Geography, 2 books $ .95 History, 3 books 2.35 Agriculture, no text Physiology, 2 books 85 Civics 75 Spelling, 2 books 45 Writing, 8 books 40 NORTH CAROLINA, Primer $ .25 First Eeader 25 Second Eeader 27 Third Eeader 32 Fourth Eeader 32 Fifth Eeader 36 Arithmetic, 3 books 1.09 Grammar, 2 books 70 Total, $8.97; this State has only 2 texts in History but there are 3 in Arithmetic. Geography, 2 books $1.35 History, E books 1.55 Agriculture 60 Physiology 55 Civics 60 Spelling, 2 books 41 Writing, 7 books 35 OKLAHOMA. Primer .' $ .25 First Eeader 25 Second Eeader 35 Third Eeader .45 Fourth Eeader 45 Fifth Eeader 55 Arithmetic, 2 books 70 Grammar, 2 books 89 Total, $8.20; this State has no text in Civics, only 1 in History, and 1 in Spelling; but there are 2 in Physiology and 8 in Writing. Geography, 2 books $1.31 History 90 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 90 Civics, no text Spelling 20 Writing, 8 books 40 OREGON. Primer $ .25 First Reader 25 Second Eeader 35 Third Eeader 45 Fourth Eeader 45 Fifth Eeader bo Arithmetic, 2 books 93 Grammar, 2 books 81 Total, $9.52; this State has only Geography $1.00 History, 2 books 1.50 Agriculture 70 Physiology, 2 books 95 Civics 65 Spelling 23 Writing 45 1 text in Geography, 1 in Spelling, and 2 in History, but has 2 in Physiology. SOUTH CAROLINA. Primer $ .25 First Eeader 25 Second Eeader 25 Third Reader 30 Fourth Eeader 35 Fifth Reader 35 Arithmetic, 2 books 76 Arithmetic, 2 books 68 Total, $8.68; this State has 2 texts in Physiology but only 1 in Spelling. TENNESSEE. Geography, 2 books $ 1.33 History, 3 books 1.60 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 75 Civics 60 Spelling 26 Writing, 7 books 35 Primer $ .25 First Eeader 18 Second Reader 25 Third Eeader 30 Fourth Eeader 35 Fifth Eeader 40 Arithmetic, 3 books 84 Grammar, 3 books 1.08 . Total, $9.09; this State has 3 In Physiology, and only 1 in Spelling. Geography, 2 books $1.28 History, 3 books 1.85 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 63 Civics o5 Spelling 18 Writing, 7 books 35 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 2 TEXAS. Primer $ .18 First Reader 18 Second Reader 25 Third Reader 30 Fourth Reader 35 Fifth Reader 40 Arithmetic, 4 books 1.16 Grammar, 3 books 1.02 Total, $11.83; this State has 4 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 3 in AgTiculture, 3 in Physiology, 8 in Writing, but only 1 in Spelling. Geography, 2 books $1.36 History, 3 books 1.60 Agriculture, 3 books 2.10 Physiology, 3 books 1.60 Civics 75 Spelling 18 Writing, 8 books 40 10 Geography, 7 books $3.55 History, 5 books 3.55 Agriculture 75 Physiology, 5 books 2.35 Spelling 20 Civics, 2 books 1.50 Arithmetic, 3 books 1.20 UTAH. :?rimer $ .25 First Eeader 2o Second Eeader 35 Third Eeader io Fourth Eeader 48 Fifth Eeader 48 Writing, 8 books 40 Grammar, 3 books 1.65 Total, $17.41; this State has 3 texts in Arithmetic, 3 in Grammar, 7- in Geography, 5 in History, 5 in Physiology, 2 in Civics, and only 1 in Spelling. VIRGINIA. Primer .$ .18 First Eeader 15 Second Eeader 22 Third Eeader '. . .28 Fourth Eeader 30 Fifth Eeader 30 Arithmetic, 2 books 66 Grammar, 2 books 52 Total, 9.79; this State has 5 texts in History, 3 in Physiology, and 8 in Writing but has only 1 in Spelling, Geography, 2 books $1.28 History, 5 books 2.75 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 3 books 1.40 Civics 55 Spelling 20 Writing, 8 books 40 WEST VIRGINIA. Geography, 2 books $1.28 History, 4 books 3.81 Agriculture 60 Physiology, 2 books 1.15 Civics 53 Spelling 22 Writing, 9 books 45 Primer 25 First Eeader 25 Second Eeader 31 Third Eeader 41 Fourth Eeader 41 Fifth Eeader 41 Arithmetic, 3 books 1.05 Grammar, 2 books 84 Total, $11.97; this State has 3 texts in Arithmetic, 4 in History, 2 in Physiology, 9 in Writing, and only 1 in Spelling. The foregoing evidence clearly proves that, in comparison with the other States like situated, our people do not pay ex- travagant prices for these books. It appears, for instance, that every neighboring southern State pays more than Georgia for these texts; so far then as concerns the prices recently secured by the Georgia State Textbook Commission it is evident that they not only are not extravagant but are more economical than those secured by other Boards using the plan of uniform State adop- tion. 11 ANNUAL EXPENSE OF BOOKS Perhaps, also, it is due the General Assembly to give the results of our effort to find, approximately at least, about the amount of money expended for school books in this State, es- pecially since many widely divergent estimates and statements on this subject have been given to the public. So far as the ele- mentary schools are concerned the sworn figures of the dealers are to the effect that the total sales for the regular adopted texts during the past ten years are a little less than $150,000 annu- ally. Some effort has been made to check these figures and there were selected for this purpose the counties of Habersham, Schley, and Early and the figures given appear to corroborate the pre- vious conclusion. Not only so, but testimony has been secured from the country as a whole, other states, and cities at this point. The report of the United States Commissioner of Edu- cation shows twenty millions of pupils in the schools of this <30untry and the total expenditure of not quite seven mil- lion dollars for school books (Volume II, 1912, page 17), thus confirming the Georgia figures. In Pennsylva- nia, for instance, the books are bought by Boards of Edu- cation and furnished free to the children; the law there requires under such circumstances, a complete report of the cost of the books thus furnished. Since the books are free any variation would naturally be that more of books would be used and the expenditure would be correspondingly greater in Penn- sylvania than in Georgia, to say nothing of the fact that the former state is larger and has more per capita wealth. State Superintendent, N. C. Schaeffer, gives the enrollment of pupils in Pennsylvania, for the year ending June 30, 1913, as 1,343,055 and the cost of text books for these pupils as $1,157,930.27. The average cost per pupil in that State is, therefore, 86.2 cents; note also that the Pennsylvania law requires free books furnish- ed for high schools and normal schools. High school books are always more expensive. It is plainly true, therefore, that the cost of books for the elementary grades in Pennsylvania as well as Georgia would be much less than 86 cents per capita each year. Furthermore, another proof as to the cost comes from our own State. The City of Fitzgerald has for some years been furnishing the text books free to the pupils. Superintendent 12 Ritchie writes that the cost for that city for 1913 was less than 74 cents per capita and regretfully we know that it is much less than this on the average for the country child, just as in- dicated by the figures noted above by the dealers. The City Boards of Education are always more insistent upon a liberal supply of books and other educational material for their pupils — some, perhaps, with not enough attention to economy. It is true, however, that there is much loss to the child from error in the opposite direction and that the argument is decidedly in favor of taking into consideration the value of his time and the necessity for furnishing him with proper tools with which to work. It is poor reasoning to prefer a saving of 5 cents on an inferior text book on which a child must spend 6 months of time to a better one even at a greater cost. STATE PUBLICATION BY THE CALIFORNIA PLAN Of the 48 States in this country, 46 use either the Georgia plan, authorize the purchase by Boards of Education, or else do not interfere at all in the purchase and supply of text books. Two, however, Kansas recently, and California for 30 years past, have undertaken to establish plants and to print books used by the State. In the message of Governor "W. Y. Atkinson, of Georgia, to the General Assembly in 1897, giving the report of the School book Commission at that time, the following oc- curs: "California is the only State that has undertaken to pub- lish its own books. The experiment has cost the State, accord- ing to the late report of the Secretary of State, something like $1,700,000. Deducting the estimated value of the manufacturing plant, material on hand, plates or books which have been con- demned as educationally worthless, and the stock on hand of the same books, finished and unfinished, all being valued in the report at $348,701, we find the net cost to the State of the school book enterprise has been $1,351,299 ; so that the interest on the $1,351,299 invested at six per cent, would furnish books prac- tically free to all the children of California." Since this date, after much trouble, conditions have been pronounced more favorable and the expense of publishing and distributing these State made books has been lessened. It seems 13 beyond doubt, however, that during the years during which Cal- ifornia has been manufacturing her own school books that the following may be fairly stated as the result: 1. The cost to the parent of the books made by California, all things consid- ered, has not been upon an average, cheaper than the Georgia texts; 2. It is only just to state that there has always been considerable question, expressed sometimes even by the Califor- nia people themselves, as to the quality of their books ; 3. It is beyond doubt true that these California texts are inferior from the standpoint of paper, print, and binding — this fact is appar- ent even to the careless observer. That we might have the bene- fit of professional skill at this point, however, at some consider- able difficulty, there has been secured a number of these books. They were submitted to the State Printer, Mr. Chas. P. Byrd, and he was asked to give his opinion of these texts from the mechanical side. His letter speaks for itself : Atlanta, Ga,, April 2, 1914. Complying with your request, I have examined the books printed by the State of California and those furnished under your adoption. I find the California books are decidedly inferior as to the material and con- struction, and the matter is one of contrast rather than of comparison. My information is that the State of California has appropriated over a million dollars on a plant to do this work, which in my opinion is more than is necessary for such an equipment. The only solution to the problem is the fact that it takes more than a printing office to produce satis- factory school books. Experience in handling this particular class of work is an essential element which appears to have been lacking in the California books. This answers your inquiry in a general way; if you wish me to be specific in the matter, covering in detail the difference between the books submitted, I will do so. Trusting this will meet your requirements, I am, Very truly, (Signed) CHAS. P. BYRD. It may be added that these books are in the State Depart- ment of Education, where members of the General Assembly may see them at any time. Even now, with all the experience of that State and with the best efforts of the most successful State Printer they have ever before secured, F. W. Richardson, the basal books for the public schools do not seem to be able to be placed in the hands of the 14 children of California much cheaper than with us, to say noth- ing whatever of the salaries of the officials, the enormous sum invested in the printing plant, and the waste of unsatisfactory books which have been made and thrown away. From the office of the State Superintendent of Schools of California, Edward Hyatt, the expense of manufacturing, plus distribution of these basal books is given as follows : Primer $ .20 - Geography, 2 books $1.05 First Eeader 20 History, 2 books 90 Second Eeader 25 Agriculture, no text Third Eeader 25 Physiology 25 Fourth Eeader 30 Civics 40 Fifth Eeader 30 Spelling, 2 books 40 Arithmetic. 2 books .55 Writing, 5 books 25 Grammar, 2 books 65 Total, $5.95; note that there is no text in Agriculture, only 2 in History, and 5 in writing. With the text in Agriculture added, one in History and 2 in Writing the total would be $7.25. These prices do not take into consideration the deterioration of the plant, interest on money invested and possibly some of the salaries of officials, etc.; neither do patrons have the benefit of exchange price. It is proper to state that California has adopted free text book legislation. This does not alter the fact, however, that the expense is the same and must be defrayed by the tax payer, even if it is removed from his shoulders under another name. KANSAS Kansas has so recently begun with the experiment of State publication that we can learn little from that State. The last Legislature made an appropriation of $225,000 — $50,000 of which was set apart for artists, authors, compilers, etc., leaving $175, 000 to enlarge an already established printing office for the pub- lication of school books. The first book to be published is a Primer; and $2,000 was paid to the author for the manuscript which the Text Book Commission purchased as the official Prim- er to be used in the schools of the State during the next five years. In addition to this, illustrations for the text will cost ap- proximately $2,500. The second text selected was a history, or as the Kansas City Journal terms it, "A Historical Novel, ' ' for the manuscript of which $3,000 was paid to the author and $500 additional to other persons for revision. The Teachers' Asso- ciation of Kansas has requested that the School Book Commis- 15 sion discontinue its work, temporarily at least, until the Legis- lature shall have assembled again for the reconsideration of the question. One of the school officials of that State, writes as follows : "It seems reasonable to believe that a publishing con- cern whose principal business is the selection and publication of books is better prepared to handle the business more successfully than a State which has so many other matters of importance to deal with." It will be seen, therefore, that from the situation in this State it is difficult to secure much argument, as yet at least, to authorize the creation of a printing plant and the pub- lication of school books by the State. THE ONTARIO PLAN More frequently than any other, however, what is known as the Ontario plan has been advanced as the best and most eco- nomical for this State. Its history is interesting. The Cana- dians found that there was a tendency on the part of their teachers and parents to use the books published by their great neighbor, the United States. The subject attracted attention, more than 60 years ago. It was clear that these books were fostering our ideas of li- berty and even causing rebellious sentiment against British rule. To counteract this, books had to be made by Canadians or, at least, by English subjects. They began first with the Irish Nation- al Series and naturally the present forced use of British and Ca- nadian texts, no matter how inferior to those published by the United States, has followed. In 1868 and in 1894 the contract for readers, for instance, was given to Canadian Publishing Companies. The Whitney Government in 1907, stating that the Ontario text books were inferior to those of similar grade in this country, authorized the Minister of Education to secure an editor with power to have texts prepared, electroplates made and books printed by contract. The department store of T. Eaton Company, Limited, which has a printing plant for its large mail order business, was the lowest bidder. The offer was to furnish the Primer and the first four Readers at a total cost of 49 cents. Without sajang anything as to the quality of these books, although educational experts have been practically a unit in pronouncing them inferior to our own texts, it is a fact easily 16 ascertained that they are able to be sold at so low a price be- cause of two reasons : first, a part of the expense is borne by the Government and second, another part by the department store for the sake of the advertising. The same thing is true with regard to certain others of the Ontario books, particularly the arithmetic furnished by the Rob- ert Simpson Company, Limited. Some of the books, however, are printed by regular publishing companies and undoubtedly with little, if any, help from the advertising idea already men- tioned. In the endeavor to learn what would be the cost, under our conditions of certain basal books, letters were written to pub- lishers in this country and in Ontario, as the following corre- spondence shows: Atlanta, Ga., March 5, 1914. FOOTE & DAVIES COMPANY, Atlanta, Georgia. Gentlemien: I shall appreciate the favor if you will kindly write me at what prices you could furnish the State, upon a five-year contract, in lots of 10,000 as desired, the following books copies of which are sent herewith: Practical Primer, Wientworth's Elementary Arithmetic, Graded Literature Fifth Eeader, Peterman 's Civil Government, and Berry 's Copy Book, Number 5. You will understand, of course, that these bids are to be made solely upon the basis of the manuscripts being furnished by the State and that the cost of distribution is not being considered. REPLY ONE. Replying to yours of the 5th, we estimate that to produce the books you desire would cost about as follows: Practical Primer, 12% cents. Wentworth's Elementary Arithmetic, 23% cents. Graded Literature Reader, Book V, 22% cents. Peterman 's Civil Government, 18% cents. Berry's Copy Book, 5 to 7 cents. It is hard to estimate on the copy book very closely, as it is made up in a rather difficult way, having two colors of ruling and the printing is of a special character, which would vary the estimate somewhat. Trusting this is satisfactory, we are, Yours truly, (Signed) FOOTE & DAVIES CO. 17 REPLY TWO. Eeplying to your favor of March 5th, we beg to hand you herewith an approximate estimate on 10,000 copies of each of the books named, based upon the manuscript and all necessary cuts being furnished by the State: Practical Primer, 12 cents. Wentworth's Elementary Arithmetic, 20 cents. Graded Literature Eeader, 22 cents. Peterman's Civil Government, 20 cents. Berry's Copy Book No. 5, 5 cents. These prices contemplate an exact duplicate of the books submitted as to material and workmanship. Trusting this information will serve your purpose, we are. Very truly yours, (Signed) BYED PRINTING COMPANY, C. P. Byrd, Prest. REPLY THREE. We are in receipt of your favor of the 13th inst. and have to-day received the following school books. Common School Speller, Essential Facts of American History, Agriculture, Practical Primer, History of Georgia. We have also read over your typewritten sheets but are not very clear about some of the details. Do we understand that the State of Georgia intends preparing new text books to take the place of those sent to us? Or has the State the copyright of any or all of these books? You, of course, will readily understand that we could not print and publish any of the text books sent to us without we had control of the copyright and all of these books, we understand, are copyrighted in the United States. Another point would be in connection with the preparation of electroplates for printing these books. Some of them particularly the History, Agriculture, and Primer, have many illustrations. The illus- trations could not be copied by another publisher without the consent of the original owner of the pictures. These difficulties do not arise in the case of books published by our- selves where we own the copyright; for example, Ontario Public School Speller of which we sent you some copies some time ago. As we own the copyright on this book we could easily arrange to supply your schools with this book and could adapt it to the use of your schools if necessary under a contract. We could not however reprint your Common School Speller without consent of the owner of the copyright. If you will kindly reply giving us further light on these points we will be glad to take up the matter again. Yours truly, (Signed) A. W. THOMAS, Secy.-Treasurer. THE COPP CLARK COMPANY, Limited, Toronto, Canada. 18 Atlanta, Ga., March 23, 1914. Gentlemen: In reply to your letter of March 19: This state has not decided to prepare and publish new school books. There is, however, a committee of investigation appointed to look into the matter and to report to the Legislature about the cost of texts and to take into consideration the matter of state publication. The purpose of sending you the five books mentioned is to learn from you what you will prepare and publish texts similar to these, you preparing the elec- troplates, illustrations, etc. We do not, of course, intend for you to reprint these particular books unless we secure this right from the authors. Our purpose, however, is merely to find out from you what it will cost to do similar work. If you will, therefore, estimate this expense and send it to me it is our intention to calculate the cost of distribution in this state and to compare these figures with the present prices paid in order that we may report more intelligently upon this matter to the Legislature. With the hope that you will do us the favor of furnishing these figures and remembering with appreciation the courtesies shown me last August when I was in your office with the view of learning personally of these facts, I am, Very truly yours, M. L. Brittain, State Supt. of Schools. SECOND EEPLT. Your favor of the 23rd inst. to hand. With reference to the question of preparing estimates for the five books you sent to us we would say that it would be a long and tedious matter to prepare an estimate that would be anything like accurate for these books and after these estimates were furnished they would be little use to you if you thought of pre- paring new books as the new books in all probability would be different in size and contents and the prices would consequently vary. We hardly like therefore to go to the expense and trouble of working up these estimates in view of the uncertainty of their being of any particular value either to you or to ourselves. We think the better way to meet this matter is for us to send you specimens of the books that we are now making in Ontario with a list of the retail prices and net amount received by us for each book. This will give you an indication of what we would be prepared to publish similar books for yourself. In case of one of the books, namely, the Ontario High School Composition, the plates were supplied to us without charge by the Ontario Education Department, in all the other cases we were at the expense ourselves of preparing the plates both for matter and illustrations. We would say that the drawings used in the Ontario High School Physics cost several thousand dollars to prepare. Thirf will explain to some extent the comparatively high price received for this book. 19 The following table shows the name of the book, the retail price, the net price to the trade, the royalty, and the net price received by us for each book: Net Amount Retail Trade Eeceived Price Price Royalty by us H, S. English Composition $ .18 $ .14 4-10 $ $ .14 4-10 P. S. Composition 15 .12 .Oiy2 -lOVa P. S. Speller 15 .12 .01^ .10y2 P. S. Hygiene 20 .16 .02 .14 H. S. French Grammar 60 .48 .06 .42 H. S. Physics 90 .72 .09 .63 In any comparison of prices regard must be had of the number of pages and the number of styles of illustrations. The following tablfr will give you an idea of this matter for each book. H. S. English Composition, 288 pages. Few illustrations. P. S. Composition, 204 pages. Few illustrations. P. S. Speller, 204 pages, No illustrations. P. S. Hygiene, 248 pages. Many illustrations. H. S. French Grammar, 316 pages. No illustrations but very expensive type setting. , H. S. Physics, 504 pages. Many expensive illustrations. Should the matter ever get so far that you would like us to estimate on new, books for your State and there was any prospect of our being awarded a contract we would be glad to go into the matter carefully and would be prepared under satisfactory conditions to make a contract with your State for a period of years. Yours truly, (Signed) THE COPP CLARK COMPANY, Ltd. A. W. Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer. REPLY FOUR. Toronto, Canada, April 16, 1914. Your letter of March 30 was duly received, and we note w^hat you say regarding the awarding of contracts. Under the circumstances we do not care to give quotations. We regret very much the delay in replying to your letter. Yours truly, (Signed) THE T. EATON COMPANY, Limited. J. J. Vaughan, Secretary. It will naturally occur to any thoughtful mind as strange that the Ontario System was not adopted by New York and Ohio if it were so far superior to our own as is frequently as- serted. The thirteen million inhabitants of these two of our 20 most progressive northern States are not generally suspected of being willing to pay more for school books or anything else than might be necessary and reasonable. The impression is somewhat more than a suspicion, and indeed is quite general, that these are the most astute and economical business men we have in the country. They are separated only by the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie from Ontario; trains and boats cross from one side to the other every hour and there is continuous communica- tion. This has been going on during all these years while On- tario has been making her own school books and what these near neighbors and countrymen of ours have never even thought worthy of imitation or consideration, is not likely to be so won- derfully to the advantage of those of us a thousand miles away, who were stirred to action by a sensational newspaper article in the Saturday Evening Post. As information, the cost at which these Ontario elementary books are furnished is given : GBAMMAB GEADES. Pirimer $ .04 Geography $ .65 First Header 06 History, 2 books .50 Second Eeader 09 Agriculture, no text Third Eeader 14 Physiology i' . . .20 Fourth Eeader 16 Civics, no text Fifth Eeader, no text Spelling .15 Arithmetic 10 Writing, 5 books 10 Grrammar 10 Total, $2.29; note that there is no Fifth Eeader, no text in Agriculture, no text in Civics, only 1 in Grammar, 1 in Geography, 1 in Spelling, 2 in History, and 5 in Writing. HIGH SCHOOL GEADES. - Arithmetic $ .40 Chemistry and Manual $ .60 Algebra 50 Ancient History 75 Geometry 40 Physical Geography 60 Latin Book 60 Blank Drawing Book 05 German Grammar 70 Bookkeeping 30 English Composition 18 Physics 90 French Grammar 60 These books are on file at the State Department of Education and accessible to any one who may desire to compare them with 21 the books used in this country. As a rule, they appear to the ordinary observer as clearly inferior to the United States texts and all the experts to whom they have been submitted with one exception, agree that this is true with regard to the workman- ship and material used. SUMMARY 'Summarizing for your convenience, therefore, our answers to the questions which we were asked by you to secure are as follows : First. Compared with the prices paid for similar books in other States in this country, the cost in Georgia is not only reasonable but actually considerably less than the average paid in the other forty-seven commonwealths of this Union. Second. The California plan, which involves the purchase and equipment of a printing plant, managed by State officials, for the purpose of printing State school books, does not appear to be desirable for Georgia. Six members agree to the foregoing : M. L. Brittain, J. T. Peyton, H. C. Shuptrine, W. J. Nunnally, G. R. Glenn, T. J. Woofter. Five members of the Committee, namely, Messrs. J. T. Peyton, H. C. Shuptrine, "W. J. Nunnally, G. E. Glenn, and T. J. Woofter sign the following as the third and closing recommen- dation : Third. "We would not recommend the publication of our school texts by the Ontario plan. Chairman M. L. Brittain presents the following modification of this third and final recommendation: It does not certainly follow, that the defects of the Ontario plan would apply with all school texts. While no one, who has looked into the question with any care, will expect to secure a Primer or Reader of any value at a cost of four or five cents, un- less the difference between this and its real cost is furnished by the State through general taxation, or a business concern for the sake of the advertising, it is desirable that the State should test this matter and see if any saving can be made to its citizens. I be- lieve this is possible in some instances with no loss as to 22 quality and that we should have the benefit of this possibility without heeding reckless agitators or commercial interests. Certain books have what might be termed, "Local Coloring." If we can make any to advantage, these are the texts that would present least difficulty and that would offer greatest chance for success. Such, for instance, is the State Civil Government. It is more than likely that a book of this kind can be ''made to order" with more chance of success than such a text as a geography which requires experts of nation-wide reputation for skill and ability. Since the State ought to be given the opportunity of testing the matter as completely as possible, I recommend also that the State Department of Education be authorized to rent or lease plates and manscript and print one other text, such as may be deemed advisable, of the common or high school books, through competitive bids by publishers. This wiU not force Georgia into an expensive change until the matter shall have been thoroughly tried out, by both methods, and informa- tion is secured not only as to the cost of publication but also of the expense of distribution, a factor frequently unconsidered, but very important in this question. Any business man would certainly take such a course, and the expense required is small compared with the possible good that may result from the prac- tical test of these two plans or the harm that might accrue from crude and revolutionary change in the present uniform text book legislation. DISSENTING REPORT I beg leave to file a minority report as follows : I find for a number of years when the school books were adopted under the County Sj'^stem, that the prices obtained un- der that system were much higher than under the system of State adoption. I further find that practically as good texts were secured un- der State-wide adoption for the common schools as those in use before said adoption. I further find from the evidence submitted, that it is possible to have printed and distributed to the school children of Geor- gia, school books at prices lower than at present charged. 23 I find that we can secure texts for the books hereinafter named by employing experts or under competition; or upon a royalty basis as good texts as are now in use in our schools. I find that other countries under the system of having some of the books edited by expert service and having them printed by competitive bids, have produced the Readers and five other books at less than one-half of what the children of Georgia are now paying. I find that sufficient evidence has been submitted to our con- sideration to authorize us to recommend that the texts for the following books be secured by the State Board of Education un- der the direction of our State School Superintendent as follows : A Civil Government. A Complete set of Copy Books. A Primary History of the United States. Such Readers as the Board of Education may approve. That the texts of these shall be secured by securing expert service, or under competition, or on a royalty basis. That these books shall be printed by competitive bids under a contract for at least five years for printing, binding and dis- tribution of the same, and shall be sold to the children of Geor- gia at actual cost. C. R. McCrory. Note. By reason of illness Vice-Chairman Foster was unable to be present at the final meeting of the Committee. 24 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 302 789 fl JlpRI/mNG:, ||(DMPANYJ| IvlJ