Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-13
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Ouestion of Salariss Bone of Censens
 ten Last Evsnint.

Salaries was the main question at the meeting of the board of education held last evening. In fact, Tor tne past few meetings 1t was nothing put salaries. Some teachers and princi- |, pals were so fortunate that theirs were raised without their knowledge, ana, apparently, some cannot have them raised by the strongest derrick in the country. Miss Croft, teacher in the high school, was one of the former. But to make matters look right before the increase was given she presented an application. Last evening slm' liar reauest from one. of the most nc- complished teachers In the nign' school Mir Grafton, teache- of Greek, was turned down. And there were others with it.
 Commissioner Chapman presided ana and all the members were present. rho resignation of Miss Lillian kirsch- baum was accepted.
 The applications of Miss Croft and Mir Grafton for an increase of salary were then taken from the table ana on motion of Commissioner Fheian Miss Croft's application was consid. cred first. He moved that her salary be raised from $1.4OO to $1.6OO.
 Commissioner Larkin asked what the committee on teachers did with this matter and Commissioner Me- Donald, member of that committee, replied that they did nothing. For his own part he thought Miss Croft ought to be satisfied with an increase of $1OO, and that Miss Finch was paid too much. Commissioner Lawlor favored taking from Miss Finch $1OO and giv. ing 1t to Miss Croft.
 Commissioner Phelan said Miss Croft was the best teacherin the whole city, he did not care whom the com. parison touched or hurt. He made 1t truthfully, honestly and fearlessly. For her period of service, almost forty years, for her service in general and particular, she was without an equal in the schools.
 Commissioner Larkin: Are you sure of that?"
 Commissioner Phelan: "Surel Sure" he repeated. Am sure I'm living? She will be better teacher than ever Miss Finch can ever hope to be- #
 Commissioner Larkin: But Miss Finch runs one of the largest schook ill the city and her record Is the best.'7
 "Yes. she runs 1t with assistance, retorted Commissioner Phelan. T say now, and I will say it as long ss Miss Croft remains in the schools. a..d I know the people of the city will back me up in it when say that Miss Croft is the best teacher in the city. and the same cannot be said of Miss Finch. don't care what Miss Finch does or does not, I do know what Miss Croft does. It is forcible comparison, but 1t can't be helped. If Miss Finch suffers by 1t, it is not my fault. Miss Croft is worth every cent of $1,6O0."
 Commissioner Larkin: 'I will never vote for an increase of $20O for Miss Croft, moreover when the committee on teachers did not recommend 1t"
 Commissioner Phelan contended that tion on the matter, which Commission CT Larkin allowed. but said that two of them, Chapman and Mcdonald, had expressed themselves as against =.
 Commissioner Lawlor: Miss Finci has been here only few years and 1t is not right that she should be al. lowed to pass along over other te6cfts CTS shoulders"
 Commissioner Larkin: But you must remember, Commissioner Law Tor. that she runs one of the biggest schools in the city. It makes no diff. ference where she comes from or how long she has been here. She is fully competent for the work she is doing.'
 Commissioner Lawlor: Well, that was not your idea last year. You did not favor the proposition of women principals"
 Commissioner Larkin: "Yes. but she Is here and l am not in favor Of putting her out. She is fully com. potent. as I have said. will take the word of Superintendent Tinker on matters of that kind every time be- fore any other opinion"
 Commissioner Mcdonald then came to the rescue by amending the motion so as to make the increase $1 1,J00 in- stead of $1,6OO.
 Commissioner Phelan said he would never vote for the amendment He believed Miss Croft ought to be paid 1000 and not a penny less. The amendment, however. was carried. and thus Miss Croft and her salary, one of the bones of contention in the school department, was taken of the horizon.
 Commissioner Lawlor then moved that the rules be suspended in order to increase the salaries of Mir Grafton. Miss Nichols, the drawing teacher. and of Miss Slater. the permanent substi- ute. The motion was carried; but the salaries were not increased. It was proposed to give Mir Grafton $1OO more and Miss Nichols $50. So far as it related to Miss Slater the matter was tabled to the next meetnig. The ,.,xa r.l tbara,,pnn odfnurpo1