The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-09-24

The committee on '"TaXation and
Teachers Salaries" met at Indianapo
lis Friday and Saturday, March II
and II. After an extended informal
discussion the committee decided to
make a general declaration OF princi-
pies and to submit to the public a
general outline of the topics to be con-
sidered in the report, so far as they
have been determined. The work of
the different b-committees will be
taken up at once and carried to COM
pletion as rapidly as possible. The
committee will have another meeting
! in the early part Of May. The COM
+. mittee hopes to make a preliminary
report by the middle of the summer
and a final report in December. The
cooperation of teachers and the pub
lie in general is earnestly solicited.
Declaration of Principles.
l. We the members of the Commit
tee on Taxation and Teachers Salaries
take this occasion to state that we
represent no special interests or Or
| ganization, other than the state teach
ers association which appointed the
committee, and the public schools and
the people of the state. We, there
fore have no personal, political or fac
tional ends to subserve.
,. The sole purpose of this COM
mittee is to attempt to improve the
public schools of the state. This we
hope to do by setting forth facts
relative to taxation. teachers salaries,
preparation of teachers, cost Of living,
expenditures for school buildings,
etc. with the view of showing the ex-
act conditions relative to these
things. believing that school officials,
teachers and the people in general will
do whatever may be found necessary
10 promote the best interests Of the
public schools.
3. 1t is not the purpose ofthis COM
mittee to arouse suspicion and to en-
gender strife and contention between
teachers and their emplOyers-the
tax paving public. On the contrary
it IS the purpose to promote conf
dence and invite cooperation. This
we hope to do by showing that. while
there is limit to the amount Of taxes
that can be. and ought to be levied
for school purposes, yet the people
cannot afford to lose competent teach
ers because the compensation is made
puate We believe therefore that a
clear presentation of the facts will
cause the people to demand the appli-
cation Of scientific and business prin-
ciples to all departments Of school adj
ministration. to the end that our pub
lie schools may become still better by
the employment of none but efficient
teachers who shall be properly com
pensated for their services.
4. The members of this committee
believe that merit and merit alone
should be considered in determining
the salaries and tenure of office of |
teachers. We believe that an incompe-
tent teacher is dear at any price and |
should not be allowed to continue as
a teacher in the public schools If |
this committee. therefore. recon-
mends that in certain instances
teachers salaries be increased, such
will always be made
with discrimination, and only because
the teachers. on account of their quail
ifications and ability, are clearly en-
titled to greater remuneration and be-
cause the people cannot afford to lose
their services or to fail to remunerate
them properly.
5. The members of this committee
donate their time and give
their best efforts to make the pro-
posed report as complete and helpful
as possible. No charges directly or
indirectly will be made by any men,
Der of the committee 20" lis services
and only such part Of the funds ap-
will be expended as may,
De necessary to carry on the work (
We therefore feel that we
ire justified in appealing to teachers
o officials. to the public press and to
he people in general for their coop I
,ration and assistance in CARRYING on s
he work of this committee We be !
ieve that the response Will be prompt I
nd the support enthusiastic. I
Topics and Sub Committees I
l. Facts concerning teachers.
a. Salaries-a. Average by wears {