The Washington times., 1905-12-23


aries for the District school teachers,
for an increase of the capacity OF school
buildings to accommodate the 1900
children now attending on a halliday
schedule, the building Of more orna-
mental structures, the question of plac-
ing the school appropriations above all
other things, and methods of obtain
ing these things. is arousing cOnsidera-
bic public interest and causing much
discussion.
Editorials in The Times have at
| tracted much attention and a reporter
who sought some expressions from lead
ing citizens on the general subject.
found them fully alive TO its Importance
and the necessity of early and adequate
steps by Congress.
For the higher grades" said Charles
c. Lancaster, Il believe men teachers
should be employed. For the primary
grades the women seem eminently fitted.
probably better than men. Regardless of
the sex employed the salaries should be
| sufficient to retain the best teachers it
is possible TO get.
Would Increase Salaries.
LAS president of the Northwest Sub
urban Association. 1 wish to state that
our citizens have passed resolutions stat
ing their willingness to join in a crusade
to secure better wages for the teachers.
Its resolutions were passed unani-
mously, and l stand ready to go before
Congress personally at any time or in
any other way take up active work TO
that end
THE school buildings of Washington
are decidedly cheap and unornamentaf-
= s.Ilx 90 }, ha
buildings !n some of the Western cities
in Duluth and Minneapolis in particular
In those cities there are large and i'm
posing structures. They are imposing
credit and an ornament to the town. But
in the National Capital 1t is different
There should be a sufficient number
of school buildings and teachers TO ac-
cOmmodate all the pupils who want TO
go to school and il is a crying shame
that there are 500 children in the city
who are limited TO half day schedule
because of a lack Of accommodation.
II is a short-sighted policy on the part
Of the school authorities and Congress
TO allow such condition 20 exist in
the National Capital"
Remedy Proposed.
"A remedy for the conditions? The
only remedy a present, is to work for
a more liberal appropriation. This should
be done, but there should be taken UP
methods Of securing a permanent fund
for the schools OF the District of Col
umbia in order 10 place her on a basis
where she will not have to beg for an
annual Appropriation.
Many of the States have rich school
fumes, especially the States of the
West. These were sec,lre1 by setting
aside certain Government lands as
school lands The lands have become
valuable and the schools have been
placed on a financial basis There are
still many millions of acres Of Govern
ment land II small per cent were
set aside for the District schools in a
few years those schools would be inde-
pendent of the regular appropriation
and they could be made The pride or the
nation, as they should be.
4 would put the school appropriation
ahead Of the appropriation for better fire
service or any other appropriation. for
the making Of citizens is of more i'm
portance than any other consideration"
Women in Common Schools
Charles A. Douglas said: Il believe
the women are all right in the common
schools. and are efficient teachers. l
would. however. favor men teachers in
the high schools. Both male and female
teachers should receive better wages
THE common school buildings of the
city seem 20 me adequate as 10 appear
ance but the high schools with the eX-
ception of the Western High School are
not what they should be from an archi-
tectural standpoint. Fire protection is n
very important measure. bat 7 believe
] would put the schools ahead OF IT,
Yes: I am sure I would.
Better Salaries.
u have no children i'm the schools at
present" said S. w Woodward. land
as a consequence have not kept in touch
with school matters. But as a matter
of fact I would favor paying such sal
aries as would secure the very best
of talent for the important posts. I am
ready 20 take up any active work TO
secure better salaries for the teachers
Ifn hrrillifIcre