Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-25
The Teachers Pay Scale.

Yesterdays vote in the House of Repre-
sentatives on the proposition to increase the
pay of District school teachers showed that
the present pay scale is regarded by large
percentage of the members as inadequate.
1t may be believed that but for the prestige
of committee recommendations and OPPOSE
ton the House would have voted the in
creased salaries by a handsome majority.
In the discussion of the matter many men,
bers of the House showed a keenly intelli-
gent appreciation of the need of these in
creases.
Viewed both in the light of justice to the
teacher and Justice to the community, the
proposed pay scale is urgently demanded.
The superintendent of schools in his
nual report showed that only with the
greatest difficulty are competent teachers
now secured in sufficient numbers to fill the
vacancies. The best members of the force
are continually being tempted to resign by
better offers from cities where the salary
scale is properly liberal. During the past
few years some Of the most valuable of the
local teachers have thus departed, and their
example has encouraged others to look
abroad for better chances. Inasmuch as
Washington rates very low in the table Of
school salaries, it is not difficult for such
as these to find openings. And 1t is strik-
ing fact that so high has the standard of
teaching been in Washington during the
past twenty years, and so excellent is the
reputation of the Washington instructors,
that the local teacher who casts lines about
for betterment seldom has to wait long for
results.
Meanwhile the schools are Increasing in
number annually, to keep pace with the
growth of population. More and more diff
ficulty Is encountered each season in the
filling of newly created places. When the
school authorities have looked abroad for
teachers they have been met with scornful
refusals. One school superintendent wrote in
answer to a letter Of inquiry that he doubted
If single response could be met with
by city that offered no better wages than
those paid In his own city to charwomen.
Thus is Washington rapidly acquiring the
reputation of being niggardly. 1t Is severe
ly suffering today In consequence. and I'M
less Congress adopts the proposed salary
scale In whole or in part, or in some way
guarantees relief to the teachers in the
near future. the capital will soon be con-
frontea by an intolerable situation.
This is the pubics side of the case. The
teachers side Is based upon plain principles
of justice. 1t should not need to be stated.
II seinsn motives RUE III Such Hdttefs the
needs of the community suffice to warrant
an immediate grant of this petition. 1t Is
monstrousy unjust to ask a man or
woman to devote lifetime to a work
which leaves no opportunities for change to
other lines, which calls for the most pains
taking efforts and a conscientious applica-
ton to q nerve -racking task, with the re-
sponsibility of the formation of the char
acter of the rising generation, to serve year
in and year out for less pay than the least
skilled of laborers, and with less prospect
of betterment.
If the House does not reverse its decision
in this case 1t is assuredly to be hoped that
the Senate will adopt the Commissioners
recommendations on this point and insist
to the end upon the retention of the amend
ment.