Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-12
School Salary Reform.

The District Commissioners have reported
back to Congress, with notes of disapproval,
all the bills thus far referred to them pro-
posing to change the existing system of
school Organization in this city Their dis
approval rests generally upon the ground
that they do not regard as wise the propo-
sition to change the method of making
school board appointments. which is en-
braced in all three of the bills submitted to
them, introduced in the House by Represen-
tatives Goulden. Foster and Olcott. Since
they received those measures another has
been offered in the Senate by Mr. Gallinger.
which, while differing from the Foster.
Goulden and Olcott bills in details: still pro-
poses presidential appointment in the organ
ization of the board. 1t is to be assumed
that this bill will likewise receive the disap-
prevail of the Commissioners on that score.
While all of these bills are In conflict with
that already presented by the Commission
ers themselves as measure of school re-
organization. In that they propose revolu-
tionary change of appointment method, they
are, with the single exception of the Olcott
bill which is confined to the matter of
school board organization alone, in virtual
agreement with that of the Commissioners
in proposing the principle of longevity in
creases of pay for the teachers. Thus there
are before Congress, again leaving the Oh
colt bill out of the reckoning, at the present
time no less than four distinct measures
which outline slightly varying schemes of
payscale reform on the basis of annual pro-
motions.
1t is certain that a determined effort at
this time to force the presidential appoint
ment issue will result in an equally deter
mined resistance. The Commissioners are
lot alone in their view that It is unwise
.hus to take the power of appointment out
Of the hands of the municipal administra-
tors. There are sound arguments against
The innovation. There are urgent reasons
also why it is unwise to place in jeopardy
The far more vitality important measure of
reform which seeks to afford relief to the
lnderpaid teachers by complicating the leg
islative program with a seriously resisted
proposal
Here are four carefully drawn bills which
agree upon the salient feature, of longevity
promotions 1t may be accepted that there
is no serious dissent from this principle 1t
is for the best interest of the schools that
this desirable measure of readjustment
should be secured now. That can easily be
done if the matter of school board reor-
ganization is not pressed insistently. Hav-
ing gained so much for the evolution of an
field will then be clear for the maneuvering
of the advocates and the opponents of pres
idential appointment and the other debata-
bic features of proposed school board or
ganization. - s-r -2s
There is a good reason for enacting first
some bill for the establishment of the
longevity pay scale. This radical change
of salary system should be put into force
by those who are familiar with the schools
of the District who know the teachers and
their work and their merits. Under at
least two of the three bills which propose
a presidential appointment and also carry
the pay-reform proposition the school board
and the superintendent of schools would be
without knowledge of the existing condi-
lions, being new to the work 1t is not TO
be doubted that If the power of appoint
ment were taken from the Commissioners
the reflection upon the board of educa ton
involved in the action would cause the sue
ceeding board to be composed of almost en-
tirely new material. while by two of the
pending bills the office of superintendent
would be filed by a stranger to Washing
ton, at least by another than the incum-
bent. Is 1t wise or safe thus to begin the
evolution of the pay system at the same
time with the proposed revolution In the
higher administration?
A compromise upon a salary scale should
be easy with so much carefully considered
material before Congress. Whether the re-
suit Is the adoption of the bill of the Com
missioners or of Mr.. Foster, or of Mr. GouI-
den' or of Mr. Gallinger, a composite
embracing the best features of all four It
should be reached at the present session.
The teachers have earned their promotions
h.aIr 1NGf
of condition.