New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-26

THE HEAD OF GIRLS sCHooLs-MRs.
sTIMsoN SPEAKS FOR MAN.
great deal has been said lately about the con-
dtion OF the New-York schools and the remunera-
ton received by New-York instructors, but when
questioned the teachers say decidedly. It's as
much as my position is worth TO tell you what we
really think. We know too well the power of the
men who compose the Board OF Superintendents TO
tempt them 10 exercise It against us
In spite OF the difficulty Of exploiting a subject
about which none of those most intimately con-
cerned care to say anything. the fact stands out
that the school teachers, especially the women are
g disconnected body.
teacher said yesterday: us II any wonder that
certain women who are doing exactly the same
work as certain men tacitly II not openly, rebel
at being awarded from 800 to $500 less per an
mum?
In the new schedule Of prices that is being
considered By the Board Of Superintendent the
lowest price paid male teachers would be $50. the
lowest price paid female teachers 500 The highest
price paid male teacher. according 10 that
schedule, would be 5000. the highest paid female
teacher only little over half as much. S,20 The
male principal would start with n salary Of $500
and may get 5000 after number of years service
the female principal would start with a salary Of
1890 but could never by any chance. matter
how long her service or how efficient her work. get
more than s2lc0. Such facts are enough TO drive
the meekest OF schoomarms 10 the Woman's
The proposed schedule hasn't yet been adopted.
II has been sent out and criticisms have been r-
vited. ....-
The schedule proposes TO divide teachers into
three classes Teachers holding provincial and
temporary licenses may enter Glass c. the lowest
division Increase in salary from year 70 year
shall be conditional upon a record Of good or ex-
celent. The maximum salary awarded male
teacher in Class Is 81 900. the maximum given a
woman in the same class Is 5000. After three years
lie, ha.-a k1H,
celent for the two previous years may take an
examination for entrance into Glass 3. The
animation will be In literature. and either botany
or zoology OF the character suitable 10 be taught
IN a primary grammar school, and in methods
OF teaching the subjects prescribed for three
grades one Of which shall have been taught one
year by the candidate. The highest salary which
a man can draw while in this class is $500. the
highest that woman can draw is 1924 Teachers
who have taught at least six years and have had
record OF excellent during the last three years may
enter Class upon passing an examination in Eng
lsh general history civics, science and art OF
teaching, and In any OF the sciences taught
IN the grammar schools. This examination must
be before the Committee on Examination Of the
Board Of superintendents, The highest salary
paid male teacher In Class Is 5000 the highest
paid female teacher is 1920
we teachers do not understand whether or not
the schedule would be retroactive and all of US
would be forced to begin in Glass c. II such is
the case there !s doubt that there Will be weep
ing and wang and crashing of teeth among u.s."
said grammar school teacher. when questioned
80 completely, however is the Board Of supern-
tendents master of the situation that, rather than
be cast into outer darkness. pedagOgIes will
a whole probably submit 10 even that condition
Many OF the older teachers, however who have had
a long and successful experience in the teaching
field, object strenuousy 10 the prominence given
examinations in the proposed scheme of promotion
They maintain that many experienced teacher
Will probably pass less brilliant examination than
the mere chit OF a girl Just fresh from her studies
but that will not prove that the younger
IS the more efficient worker"
MRS. KOHUT'S VIEWS.
y had thought" said Mrs. Alexander Kohut
when approached by Tribune reporter. that the
day had passed when woman's ability and adapta-
ton for occupying responsible places would be
questioned" She referred 10 the subject of In
creasng the salaries Of the women teachers in
the New-York City public schools.
What do you think of many of the women teach
ers in this city receiving less salary for acceptable
work IL the public schools than the streetcleaners
What do / think repeated Mrs. Kohut why.
that IT almost beyond belief-it is ineomprehen-
what Is iight~for what is simple justicel twenty
believed capable of strong intellectual effort and
was not GiVen the training and development tha
III her nov for any high ana wofnanIy work II
would not have been strange that suitable recog-
milton OF her attainments was dhlcult matter;
IL
receive just the same salary that man gets II
che does similar work well and as satisfactorily
The time IS past when man should be given d
salary simply because he is "A man; nor do be
leve in giving a sal airy just because she
IS a woman. But let justice be shown II woman
fits herself FOX a responsible intellectual occupa-
tion she shouh be well paid for it-given Just me
same salary nan would get II the place were MS.
know young woman who Is principal OF a
primary school where there are seventeen huhdreu
children and who had not dollars increase III
salary when her work doubled ana she was
given the contrd and supervision OF those seven
teen hundred children and the various teachers IN
charge Of them. her entire work has been doupie"
but her salary Is just the same ms when she NAG
only half much do. She has 10 go up anu
down many fights Of stairs and direct every ieacn-
er's department and yet she gets Just nan INC
salary Of WHO has only half the hummer o
children to look sftr Is that right? Is mat JUS
ticeT
Mrs. Kohut genuinely in earnest ana ~
eyes sparkled from the strength OF her "p pas
She Is of NewS ork's bcs-known ana pc,
loved women, and she is practical philan'hroPs,,
What is your OpiIsOn Of putting W" i ~, h h
the head OF the Girls High School when rs ~
opened In NewYork CITY in the falI! H'f"N
the reporter. IA,
Put her there by allneans II she Is thor3u n;
competent for the place." responded MIS- dAV =, ~
promptly "A woman should certainly nave ~, -
L r. Al. i.,.. aFal