The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-19
BAD NEWS FOR
SCHOOL-MA'AMS.
A General Reduction of Their
Salaries Proposed.
The Apparent Object Is to Obtain Money fol
New Appointments Woodward the Only
Opponent of the Scheme.

appropriated for the School Department be
set aside for teachers salaries. to be touched
for no other purpose, and 1926, 900 was so
set aside, it was thought that there wolld
be no instances of paying half salaries.
The plan was thought TO effeetuaIly stop
forever all deficits in the salary fund. and
in consequence there was much rejoicing
among the teachers, who have so many
times been compelled to take half OF their
salaries, and ait years for the remainder
With little prospect Of ever getting them.
But this security of the school-teachers
was only fancied. A greater and more dis
astrous mishap has befallen them, for now
it is not proposed to cut down one months
salary, but TO reduce the salaries all along
the line i'll one solid sweep.
The history of the scheme on hand to
bring about this result and the causes lead
ing To its conception will make interesting
reading for the members of the school de-
rartment, though 1t will hardly show the
members oil the Board of Education in an
enyiable light. One thing it will show, and
that is II would be much better for the de-
partment, Tor the board Itself. and for the
Interests of the city, if the appointment of
teachers did not form one of the preroga-
tiyes of the Directors. Political influences
of such a strong nature are being brought
TO bar on the Directors ut present that
they must have places for their friends, and
the measures 10 which they win resort TO
get them will be seen in this article.
THEY MUST HAVE PLACES"
A few DAYS ago caucus was held in Di-
rector Hyde's Office or the purpose Of dis
cussing the situation, and providing means
for appointing some of the many appli-
canis fer positions in the department. The
pressure " as so strong in political quarters
that some action became imperative. 'They
must have places" was the cry, and the
consideration of how TO get them was the
interesting subject at this secret meeting,
which was unknown to a number of the
Directors themselves. At this meeting,
which those pr, sent are pleased TO style
with their favorite misn of executive"
it was resolved to effect reduction of
salaries. This course was decided upon in
the face OF the fact that the board had al
ready determined the schedule OF teachers
salaries, and fixed them at the June meet
ing for the fiscal year Of 1912. No one
dreamed that one month afterward an at
tempt would be made to undo this work
and order a new schedule. Yet this was
the object of the caucus and the result of its
labors. The money that will be saved by
"
The salaries Of new appointees by the crea-
ton of new classes.
IT MUST BE DONE AT ONCE.
After the caucus, at which the members
of the Finance Committee formed the chief
attendance, 1t was resolved to take imme-
date steps TO bring about the success of the
scheme. At the last meeting OF the board
conference between the Committees on
Finance and Salaries had been foreshad-
owed by resolution, but little significance
was attached to the matter. The time for
this meeting was set for Wednesday last
but no meeting took place, as it was post
pOned till Friday evening.
At this time the two committees met
There were present: Directors Harvey,
Ames, Brooks and Decker, of the Finance
Committee; Directors Woodward, Sewell
and Culver, Of the Salaries Committee :;
Directors Dunn and Dutton and Superln-
tendent SWEET. The meeting was therefore
regarded as general meeting of the board.
although II was supposed to be only a con-
ference of committees. Those present were
all instructed that it was an executive 1"
affair, and nothing was to be diyuIged con-
corning the proceedings. Even Secretary
Beanston was excluded from the meeting,
and toasted his shins en- the outside while
the Directors were connecting their scheme
When the meeting opened Chairman Har-
ney informed Director Woodward of the
Salaries Committee that it was absolutely
necessary 10 make an entirely new schedule
Of salaries
WOODWARD STRUCK BY THUNDER
This WAS thunderclap to Director Wood
ward, who thought that matter settled. and
who had no idea of the previous private
caucus. Somewhat riled, he told them it
was an eminently proper thing for kinder
garten Board OF Education TO adopt such a
course, ana undo al one meeting what had
been done at previous session. He told
them that the salary schedule for the year
1892 had been passed in June, and every
fact connected with il had been fully stated
at the time; that there was no increase in
salaries, which remained the same as pre-
vious years. with the exception that So per
month was taken from teachers of eleven
years experience in seventh and eighth
grades, and a reduction of almost as much
effected IN graduating the salaries of high
school teachers. By this means it wa, ex-
pected to save s100o year. The natural
increase i'll payments for experience
amounted to S11 COO. When the schedule was
announced he had stated that there would
be shortage of about 5000 for salaries
but that as there was S25. coo more due from
he State this would amply make up the
deficiency, and that there would be plenty
of money for the teachers, unless the new
rules were passed decreasing the size OF
classes and increasing their number, also of
admitting children under years of age. In
this event there would be n deficit of $50
=
a resolHti61 by which the board set aside
$4,000 exclusively for teachers salaries :;
that they had known all these facts at the
time the new schedule had been adopted,
and there was no more necessity for reduc-
ing the teachers salaries now than there
was then, that is with the understanding
that the new rules would not be carried out
entirely, but that Classes would be allowed
to be filed up according to the old standard
OF sixty and not reduced to fifty.
AMES LOSES A POINT.
Director Ames stated that six years ago
there were more children in the department
and 1877 less teachers than at present.
Director Woodward replied that he wanted
no better argument on his side than this
statement, and that instead of reducing sal
aries they could dispense with twenty or
thirty teachers and then have owe one hun
dred more than six years ago. And yet the
proposition was to place more teachers in
the department Decreasing the number of
teachers would be the only reduction needed.
Director Ames stated that SO out of
every $40 went for adults, scho0l-teacil-
ers, janitors and Office and shop employees,
ana only 81 TO the housing and caring for
the child.
To this Director Woodward replied that
the reduction would not be needed if it were
not for the fact that 'adnlt' School Direc-
tors wanted appointments for new teachers
and can get them only by reducing the sala-
asking that the whole matter be referred to
the Committee on Salaries, where it be-
longed. But the Directors present Tefus ed
to SO order it.
CONSULTATIONS IMPOSSIBLE.
The question of the consolidation of
classes was considered in connection with
the subject, and superintendent SWEET an
nounced that it was impossible for him to
make the twenty consultations he expected
under the new rules, but that he had in-
structed the principals to disregard the new
maximum of fifty and fill up to the old
standard of sixty.
This action of the Superintendent in vio-
lating the new rules was regarded with
some establishment and dismay by the
Directors who have teachers to whom they
desire to give positions. BY filling up to the
old standard the Superintendent does away
with the necessity of more new Teachers as
his course takes away the need of forming
new classes. This order of his to the prin-
cipals is liable TO cause row at the next
meeting of the board.
EXTRAyAGANT ECONOMY.
Director Brooks of the CIa ssi fina tim Gam