WHY THE TEXTBOOKS
WERE CHANGED AGAIN.
PRINCIPALS DECLARE THEY
WERE OUT OF DATE.
Thousands of Pupils Must Pay 13
Cents Extra for the New Al-
gebra -- Other Books
Changed, Too.
Some objection has been raised concerning the change in textbooks which are to be used in the high schools of Kansas City this fall. The change was recommended by the principals of the different high schools, and Superintendent J. M. Greenwood, and then passed upon by the board of education. When asked why the changes were made, Greenwood explained that in every case the textbook dropped has been found unsatisfactory.
"The Milne algebra which has been in use in the high schools here for over ten years was found to be inadequate and not up to date. The change in that book will cost the pupil 13 cents each, and the benefit derived from the change ill be more than 13 cents' worth," said he.
"The physic which has been in use is too hard and complex for the high school student, and it has lately come out in more than one edition, which serves to cause confusion among the pupils who are studying that subject. With the exception of the change in the Latin book, physics and others except the algebra do not exceed the prices of the books which have been in use."
Superintendent Greenwood and Professor G. B. Longan denied emphatically that the book trust had anything to do with the change in textbooks. Superintendent Greenwood was asked if the high schools or ward schools did not change one or more of their textbooks each year. To that question he replied that such was not the case.
"No book of any importance has been changed in our ward schools for years and years," he said. "We consider the books in use in those schools to be adequate for their work. The books of the high schools have been changed oftener and more recently than any of those in the ward schools, but the subjects studied are more advanced and new phases of the subjects are being uncovered. New books must be had to keep pace with the times. At any rate, no pupil is disbarred from the schools because he cannot purchase books. The public schools of Kansas City furnish books free those who are unable to purchase them. Of course the board must know that the pupil cannot afford to buy his books and the matter is closely investigated to prevent graft.
