The morning call., 1894-04-28
DENY That General Cut Is
Contemplated.
ROsEWALD'S CAUsTIC CRITICISM
All Agree Thet Nothing Further
Than the Annual Adjustment
Will Be Done.


the teachers in the public schools has not
had the effect of allaying the general ex-
citemen: and concern of those most d.
rectly interested.
The rumor had gone abroad to the effect
that there would be a general cut in sala-
ries, from the principals down.
Although Director Hyde told reporter
that he knew of no such thing, and further
stated tina: no schedule had yet been made
out, and that he was also backed up by
Messrs. Clinton, Carew, Burke and Ames
in this assertion. the air of uneasiness still
prevails.
Another attempt was made yesterday to
discover from other members of the School
Board if the rumor had any foundation in
fact
The general tenor of their statements
was to the effect that no general cut had
been planned and no conference looking TO
that end had been held. The members of
the Committee on Salaries and the CLASH
fication Committee, who would necessarily
know if any plan was on foot to cut sala-
ries, deny all knowledge of any action up
to date.
Yet they generally agree that in the an
nual adjustment to be made in May some
teachers will have their pay raised and
others will suffer cut.
The prevailing idea is that the public it
self would rebel at sweeping reduction.
which might have the effect of Gripping
the department in order to save few dol
lars to the city that would be expended on
some less important branch of the NUM-
cipal government.
Director Frank j. Symmes has for tile
past week been soothing lady teachers
who have made anxious inquiries Of him
concerning the monetary fate of them
selves and others.
''Why, lady came to NE a few days
ago." he said to CALL reporter. lin the
greatest state of alarm. In fact she was
excited beyond measure when she asked if
it was possible that the board intended to
reduce them TO poverty. | assured her
that. so far as | knew, there was no neces-
sity whatever for fear in that direction"
do you mean 10 say, Mr. Symmes,
that there will be no cut?" was inquired
mo. not at all. 1t will simply be the
equalizng Of salaries in general in ac-
cnrdance with the regulation of the board.
No schedule has yet been made out or en-
tered into that l am aware of. 1t is quite
necessary to fix salaries once year. After
that they are not touched until the follow
ing year, il then. / am opposed TO gen.
eral reduction. AS yet we do not know
what our apportlonment will be. The
natural annual increase of salaries in the
department is between $4,000 and $4,000.
Of course some reductions will be made,
but no one class of teachers has been Sc
lected. [ do not know what will be done
in the way of consolidation. In fact, do
not know that anything can be done. 1t
was found necessary last year to give the
substitute teachers a leave of absence. as
they were drawing 50 so day when work
ing and 81 day when not working"
James H. Culver of the Finance Com
mittee, without any reserve whatever, re-
piled to question by saying: II believe
that the teachers of our public schools are
worth all that they get. Their pay is by
no means out of proportion TO the salaries
paid in other departments of the city gov
eminent. Think Of it, continued Mr..
Culver. "The teachers of our children oc-
cupy very high position in my estima-
ton. They are intrusted with the delicate
and important task of molding the plastic
minds OF those we deem most precious 10
us-our children. Persons who have this
charge should receive adequate compensa-
ton. That is to say, the pay should be
sufficient to secure the services of COM
petent and reliable people"
do you know of schedule that will be
submitted to the board making a sweeping
cut i'll salaries?" was asked.
II do not, nor is there any. know that
there is general rumor to that effect from
the fact that | have been visited by many
teachers. who came to inquire if there was
any truth in the talk. / have Invariably
told them that they need not worry about
the matter, as there was no foundation
for it."
Among the interviews in THE CALL of
yesterday | read one with Director Ames,"
said Mr.. Culver. sin which he states that
be thinks the salaries of the principals of
the grammar schools should be greater
than those of the primary schools. In this
/ do not agree with him. and will stand
out against any attempt to make 1t so.
The reason is that / believe that the pri-
mary teacher is the one to bend the twig
properly in the first place. They must
start them on the right track, and in their
work they have the care almost of mothers
on their hands. Therefore | think the
primary teacher is entitled to just as much
pay as The others. as their work / regard
as of more importance.
eve always find some members of the
Board of Education, as well as other
boards. launching forth great ideas of re-
form, vet it is my experience that these
members know more when they go out of
office than when they came in"
j. L. Hamilton. the principal of the
Lincoln School. said that lie had heard of
the reports concerning the reductions of
salaries of teachers, but Gid not feel
alarmed. In fact he gave no credence to
the report, as il was sprung annually.
E. Knowlton. the vice-principal of the
same school, who has been in the depart
ment for thirty years. said that he did not
feel that there was any just cause for
apprehension that the board would do any,
thing that would initiate against the inter-
esis of com petent teachers.
Director j. H. Rosewald was thoroughly
opposed to meddling with the salaries in
the department further than to adjust
hall bae