The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-07
WOMEN ASK REASON
Was Librarians Salary Reduced Be-
j cause New Incumbent Was a
Woman2
Board Members Say Not Explain
that They Simply Promoted
Miss Countryman.

Did the Minneapolis library board
reduce the librarians salary because
a woman had been chosen to the posi-
ton?
Members Of the board say not. They
say that at yesterdays meeting they
promoted Miss Countrynan and raised.
her salary by 500 year.
Two years ago the Minneapolis pub
lie library paid it's librarian $4,000 a
year. Then the board fell upon strin
gent times and the librarians salary
was reduced to $4,000. Next year the
had this year, and it will pay its Ii
brarian $4,000. The reduction in sal
airy involves apparently no expectation
of any reduction in the grade or
amount Of the: service. Miss Country
man has been elected on a probation
prospects Of permanently holding the
position if she should be unable to
make a showing of equal efficiency in
the management of the library.
+ Boards Action Discussed.
The Equal Suffrage association has
as one of the strongest pla,nks Of its
creed equal pay for equal work. It's
Mrs. Maude C. Stockwell, is prompt
and decisive. Mrs. Stockwell said this
morning: a,ss.
II am much gratified to learn
that the library board has rec
ogntzed Miss Countryman's real
worth and the valuable services
she has rendered to the library
by appointing her librarian. The
action in cutting her salary and Civ
ing the new librarian the work Of two
persons shows most unjust discrim-
ination against woman and every high
minded citizen should protest against
such injustice"
Der of the library board, who keeps in
close touch with library affairs and is
able to see things from the view of
the board, expressed the belief that
the action did not really represent
discrimination against women. She
feels that some reduction might fairly
be made on the ground that Miss
Countrymans appointment was of a,
probationary nature and that she had
not yet arrived at the same point Of
general recognition of her qualifica-
tions as her predecessors. Only OH
this ground, could she feel that the
action was warranted and in this case
she would expect to see the Unequal
ity adjusted as soon as Miss Country
man fully. demonstrates her fitness, of
which Mrs. Crays personally has no
doubt. Mrs. Crays objected positive
ly to the wide discrepancy in the sal
aries BIS considered some reduction
excusable.
+, w. G. Nye, of the public affairs
committee of the Commercial club,
frankly regarded the case as one of
discrimination and one that is unjust
and unWarrantable. He said: IF
| two-t thirds of the board have sufficient
confidence in Miss Countryn1a11's abil-
| ity to be willing to intrust her with
the Responsibility of managing the
| library that is evidence that they con-
4 s,der her. competent to fill theA place.
! IL she is competent for the position
she should have the full salary"
Discrimination Disavowed.
! "A member of the library board In
| terviewed this morning. would not
| admit that there had been any dis
elimination against Miss Countrymar
/ on account of: her sex and disclaimed
any prejudice against paying womer
i the same salaries a s men for the same
4 class Of work.
There has been more or less criti.
/ ctsm. against. the fiscal management OF
4 the library board for some time he
! said, land the same feeling exist.
among several members of the board
i namely that,we are paying too mucl
4 for salaries and expenses and too. lit
i tie for books and improvements
There has been a disposition RICH
q along to reduce expenses at the frs,
opportunity.
If I am reliably Informed. the du
q ties Of Miss Countryman will not. b,
4 materially increased and at the same
q time her salary is increased from
t