The Yale expositor., 1905-01-13


cations Of the Teachers Library union
Of Chicago, which, 1t is said, has cost
Bay county district teachers $500 or
5000, are now said to have been more
extensive than anyone had any idea or
From information just secured here
1t appears that the concern not only
worked its clever scheme in this state,
but in many others, particularly iowa,
Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
If the promoters met with the same
success in other counties that they did
in this, they probably succeeded In
ralsing in from $4,000 10 $4,000 OF
good Michigan money, without giving
any appreciable returns.
The scheme of the Teachers Library
union appeared like a good proposition
upon the face of it, and the teachers
fell over themselves in their anxiety
to become charter members.
The plan was explained to them
here by one G. ]. Trask of Columbus,
Ohio. He dropped into the city Oct
26, 1902, and in less than two weeks
had enrolled seventy-eight members.
An extensively Autographed charter
was furnished with the names OF J. A.
Doyle as president and w. A Rey-
holds as secretary attached.
Purpose of the Union.
The ostensible purpose of the union,
as represented to the teachers, was to
give them an up-to-date course OF read
ing, including history, sociology, sci
ence, literature and pedagogy. 1t also
included, it was said, reading circle
books. which ordinarily cost the teach
ers from SIS to 81 per year.
All this would be supplied in the
lical library to be furnished by the
Chicago concern at nominal cost
The membership was placed at $17,
S12 Of which must be paid at once, or
note given for the amount There
after $3.50 must be paid for three
years. Certificates would be given the
teachers after they had completed the
course of reading, which would bring
them credits at examinations.
Provision About Wages.
There was another very important
provision in the constitution and by
laws. however. That was to the effect
that the teachers, as one organization,
work for and demand better pay for
their services.
In other words, it was labor union,
and in case the demand for higher
wages was fought they would stand
together and make a fight for the
cause.
This part OF the laws did not meet
with general appreciation for the rea-
son that the teachers did not care to
align themselves with labor unions.
AS a result the local branch was
never completed with full compile
ment OF officers. ]. B. Laing. the pres
ent commissioner, was elected presi-
dent, but no meetings were ever held.
The Chicago Library union, however,
| did as 1t agreed to the extent of for
yarding a small case filed with books,
such as 1t was represented they
would be.
| When the time came for the reading
circle books they were not on hand.
Commissioner Laing, through CORE
spondence, attempted to get in touch
with the headquarters. Each letter
was returned, it being said by the
postal authorities that there was no
such institution as the Chicago Teach
ers' union in that city. From that
time to this nothing has been heard
from the union or any of its represen-
tatives.
Thinks Teachers Are Losers.
81 now have little doubt that the
teachers who paid their money are
tosers," said former Commissioner c.
w. Hitchcock. IT have indirect infor-
nation that the Chicago Library union
has gone through bankruptcy proceed
lngs. It is my opinion that the orig
Inal intention of the promoters was all
right, but that they bit off more than
they could chew and went to the wall.
Information has also been received
here that the teachers were extensive
Iy organized in Michigan, Indiana.
Iowa Illinois, Wisconsin and other
states, and from this 1t is easy to draw
the conclusion that several hundred
thousand dollars have been drawn
rom those engaged In school work.
81 am thoroughly convinced that the