New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-22
FIGHTING AHEARNS BILL.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS APPEAR AGAINST
THE TEACHERS SALARIES MEASURE.

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS APPEAR AGAINST
r11r, TEACHERS SALARIES MEASURE.
Albany March e1-Mrs. Joanna J. Hill. Of Public
School No a. was at the head OF the delegauon
OF New-York teachers at hearing IN Se""'oF
,boorn's Teachers Salaries bill before the Assem-
hl, committee On cities this afternoon. Mr. Bur
Ingham a member OF committee appointed 10y
the Board Of Education TO appear IN opposition 10
the measure cited as the basis OF the BOARD OPP
poston the fact that tho bill did not discriminate
properly between those teachers In the ctowoed
and those In the outlying districts of the city. tie
thought the School Board should have the rgnt 10
arrange the schedule OF salaries on the oas'' o,
merit He had told Mr.. Ahearn that II the "oIu
merit were properly inserted in the Dill much OPP
position to II would fade away
Mr. Ahesrn asserted that the stringent course
through which person must pass before becoming
u teacher assured competency. Il claim he sald'
THAT in our public schools we have no incompetent
teachers ! don't believe teachers should be COM
nollod to pass examinations before getting promo
lion ar increase Of salary any more than doctors
OF lawyers should.
Mr. birmingham believed that simple iapses OF
time should not he sufficient to advance pay. lie
said f. would cost s2.50ooHo to put the Ahearn
schedule into operation.
chairman Mazct asked why no local action had
boen taken in this direction. and Mr.. Birmingham
said the Board Of Estimate and Apportlonment
would not give the Board Of Education suticeht
money TO put into effect the advance In the med
ule which the Board had decided on rms year
however there was absolute harmony between me
CITY administration and the Board or hducauon
and he mad fear that the necessary money I9r a
general increase in salaries would be torthcoInihs
Mr. Birmingham read letter from Mr.. OBrien.
whom he designated the leading Tammany
member Of the Board" and also one from r.. FL
lerv Anderson. both opposing the Ahearn bill on
the around that. as the local Board had every IN
teniion OF Increasing salaries there was no netd
Of Interference 10y the LeCsla ture. Both letters
put forth the argument Of the necessity OF nome
iule and further that the point OF merit had
been entirely ignored in the preparation OF the
Ahedrn bill ~.
! Henry w Taft another member Of tho Board
Of Education objected to the Legislatu re going
| into the internal management OF one of the de-.
| partments Of Ncw-York city. He had not pursued
his Investigation regard 10 the teachers outside
the Borough Of Manhattan but he thought the
| advances I'm salary provided were too great when
| applied TO principals who had charge OF only i've
or six classes az the case In certain sections
! Of the remote boTOughs.
Mrs Hin answered some Of the suggestions made
| by Mr. Birmingham She spoke Of the minutes or
! the Board OF Education. In which Mr.. Burlingham
was quoted having advocated increases of salary
| after certain lapses Of time. and expressed won
! der that he should appear before committee or
the Legislature and argue I'm an opposite direction.
Others who appeared in favor OF the bill were
| DIT Etiinger and AGsemblyman Gale the last
named in behalf OF the teachers OF Queens County.