New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-16
e. G. PHELPS WE'LL AGArv
THE VETERAN MUSIC TEACHER pv
TURNS TO HIS WORK IN GOOD HEALTH
HOW THE CITY HAS REFUSED TO KEEP p,,...
WITH MEN WHO WERE HIRED IN
THE MUSIC BRANCH.

THE MUSIC BRAECH
Ellsworth g. Phelps. the music teacher ha.
turned TO his work In the puIlic schools ~ p.''
! lyn Last spring Mr.. Phelps's health gave ~
md his mind was affected. lie was sent OIL, q, =.
city to a retreat, where he was cared for a.,
was at first thought that he might no, 81
his health. IL VIII be joyful news to all q, ~,
pupils, who ere legion. that the veteran To-
has returned. not only fully restored but in h...'
health than ever. II was oyerwork which h,r
him down. and the rest which he obtained &,
summer was what was needed to build him !.
He now looks younger and stronger than ha y
been for years. and has taken up his work :, =
schools with new vi sOr.
Mr. Phelps is one Of the Oldest teachers d,
service having laugh, music in BROOKLYN 80. We
for over thirty years. He IS well knoyp ALA
composer. and there - no music teacher in ~. :,
who has a wider circle Of friends
Albert s. Casweil. musical director re,u,r,
the city on Monday. and Is again directing ~
work. To Tribune reporter Mr. Casv,en ~
ycste rday that he had read the article f., &C
days Tribune, In which the need for nnora -
was explained and that he thoroughly ,,ao..'
every word that Mr. Higgins. the former ,h.,1
man OF the Music Con mittee had uttered ~ -.
published talk. He hoped. however that IN. n,s.
sure would be relieved before many months "a -.
o Al
cation enough money to employ two addlton,,
teachers by the beginning OF next term.
There IS one crying evil in the citys treatms,,
Of It's music teachers which has never reesv.S
publicity. The Music Committee has sougs, !,
have II reGressed repeatedly, and when the Ia,
budget Of the Board Of Education was made d, ,
strenuous effort made to remedy f. II.
Board supported the committee. but when II.
affair came before the Board Of Estimate Ia,
body. 1t has done for years. vetoed the Al.
tempt.
This is the failure of the city to keep It's co,.
tract with the teachers. All the male music teac,
ers who work on full time employed on ,ts
understanding that for the first year they will re.
celvc ST. OOC for the second. 81 go and for the thtt
$500 The last is the maximum salary and ,he
understanding Is that their pay Will never be RAISED
above that figure. This contract the city has re.
peatedly repudiated Music teachers who entered
the service on that UNDERSTANDING, and who have
worked for the city for years, are sill getting
only 1900. Again and again the Music Commties
has handed up request for the amount necessarJ
TO keep the contract, the Board OF Education has
indorsed the request. and the Board Of Esmar
without giving any excuse. has cut 1t out
The female music teachers receive only 800 a
year. which salary Is never raised. There Is 10
reason why the women should not receive he
same salary as the men, for they DO the sara
of them are assigned to the higner-grade schools
Music Committee has sought to remedy this ii.
justice also, but their efforts behalf Of tie
female teachers have been as. futile as their az.
tempts 20 make the city keep faith with the men
There is nothing in the way OF the women but an
old tradition. At one time the women Received
$1,000 and the men $3.50 and there was no ralsiis
of salaries. A time came. however when a MAJ
music teacher was needed and there was not morey
enough 10 pay $3.50 TO him. He agreed 10 work
for $1,000 on condition that mis- salary should after
ward be raised and from this came the rule TIA,
all male teachers should De employ ed on that bass
Now. however. it seems impossible tor them 10 ge.
this raise
Owing 10 the lack OF money 10 employ the necss.
sary teachers. az described in The Tribune there
are now eight schools which are without must,
teachers. There were seventeen. but by careful
management and assigning as many schools %
one teacher as could pOss bic be taken care or NJ
Caswell succeeded in reducing the number to elgn,
He is sill handicapped however.