Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-15
In REGARD no THE SCHOOL
TEACHERS, PAY.
Some Plain Facts ON the Side Of the
TeacherS.


TEACHERS, PAY.
Some Plain Facts ON the Side Of the
Teachers.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR.
Observing communication the other day in one
OF the morning papers on "a Reform in Relation
to the school Teachers Pay" 1t occurred to me to
ask you to present few facts, all OF which can
vouch for A dangerous precedent is being estab-
nshed in regard to the pay OF school teachers in
the District Of Columbia. A deficiency in the
amount appropriated for the pay of District teach
ers is no new thing; notably In 1878, when the
| school fund was short $4,000, which Congress
provided in time to complete the school year.
Now whence arise these deficiencies Repre-
says that "the high salaries were increased by
the Commissioners last year so that the low paid
1eacners naa 70 0e assessed as ,et 70 MAKE
salaries of the principal OF the High school and
some Of his assistants and special teachers tno
other salaries were raise) were largely augmented,
but last year there was no raising OF salaries.
There were however, % new schools created,
when it was well known that there wasn't money
enough to pay the teachers OF the schools under
the existing schedule. In former years, these de-
i1cencies arising from the eccentricties OF those
having charge OF the school management have
been provided for by Congress- but for the last two
years different course has been pursued.
informed that in Consequence Of the increased sal
aries In the high schools and the new schools just
formed, there was not money enough to go round.
aries in order to carry on the Schools the trustees
pledging themselves to use their influence to get
did not at ali approve OF this; but what could they
do? 1t was at the end OF summer vacation when
there had been long season OF outlay with no
prophesy when they would get their money, for
none OF those in authority suggested cutting OF
which additional expenses had been Incurred when
every one knew there was barely money enough TO
carry on the schools under the old schedule II the
f1rst months expenses did not come within one
tenth OF the whole appropriation the Treasury
officials would refuse to pay any salaries, Qn some
past years all teachers salaries have been with
held for weeks, and in one or two instances for
nearly two months on their return In the falD,
and some needed the money as soon as possible.
schools in the great city of Washington 'the ward
OF the government might go on, the teachers,
without any agreement but by force OF necessity,
lent three per cent their salaries the cause OF
education, with the assurance, however, from the
trustees that there was no question but 1t would
be repaid. Not cent OF 1t ever has been repaid,
and the claim still stands.
But more yet. In the middle of last summer
those connected with the school force OF Washing
ton each received circular to this effect: "1ou
have been appointed teacher In the public schools
OF the District of Columbia, &C. You will receive
the pay OF teacher OF class less One-SiLtieEh-
the reduction being rendered necessary by an order
Of the Commissioners Of the District Of Columbia,
Twenty-seven new schools had been organized
when there was barely money enough to pay the
old force. AS all those who returned signed an ac-
ceptance OF these terms there is no claim for the
second subscription to the school fund OF wash
ingtOn. 1t was given voluntarily to "the cause;"
as ''vOluntary' aSSeSSmentShaye In time past Deen
zen TO- 1.-THE party 6y oS ehe aaSc seSoo
fund of Washington.
That this method OF procedure receives the APP
prOval OF the Commissioners Is shown by a remark
OF Commissioner Ludlow, published short time
ago in THE STAR: 'If 1t was not for this arrange
ment "a fixed number of schoOls) we could make
&c naDvn crNn wa n H1g
tutle of each salary" This, as nearly the exact
words as can remember. What a precedent to
sioner Ludlow himself should call together his en-
ployees and say: 81 am going to increase my force
OF help; you will each kindly subscribe ~ per
cent or your salaries to pay the new clerks intend
hiring" What comment would such proposition
excite in the business wOrd7 Yet this is just what
Of washington by those In chargeof school affairs
Now far be 1t from me TO argue for moment
that when the people OF washington need new
should be deprived OF them for day; indeed, do
not think they get them now as fast as they
school rooms at present test1fes But, on the
other hand, 1 do not think that these new schools
should be supported by direct tax laid on the
salaries OF the corps of teachers.
Let the power Of the authorities be curtailed so
that new schools shall be formed when there is
No TO TOR When the Of
school, because there is no money to pay teachers
they Will wake up to the fact that it would be well
70 oIing sne ,oice 9l p1Dmc OPINION 10 Dear on
spirited individuals have helped US in the past,
and they have our hearty thanks; but in general
the public school teachers have had to tight their
battles out of school as well as In, alone: the pow
ers of the trustees merely advisory" and the
general public apparently takes very little inter-
been a good friend OF the schools and trust,
II his eye light on this, he win investigate some OF
the points referred to.
These facts have been brought repeatedly to the
notice OF Congress and the Commissioners but
many OF them have not before been brought to the
public eye in print. ONE OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.