The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-31
THE TEACHERS SIDE LINE
Ways in Which It May Not Interfere
 With His Efficiency.

With His Efficiency.
 The profession of teaching is one
 which attracts many people as means of getting a little money ahead for em-
 barkation in some other vocation in life It's ranks, therefore, are contant- | ly changing, as law, medicine, busl- ness, or housekeeping takes those who lnever had any serious intention ot fol- lowing it permanently. Many teacher seeks some additional occupation in the
 direction of his inclinations, perhaps
 with the idea ultimately of giving up
 the one for the other. The smallness Of the average salary is the real reason for this condition of things. Even where one has definitely decided to make teaching the life work there is always
 the tempation to give a little to some
 thing else. Sometimes the Interested 1 is purely that of natural fondness; sometimes it is financial and beset with certain dangerous tendencies.
 For example, there is no doubt that there are many teachers and principals who are in the pay of book companies and school furnishing houses, their '1n- fuence being purchased for cash, this Influence being exerted in conversation, in addresses at institutes, or friendly advice to school boards. It would be Impossible to hazard a guess at the eX- tent of such substituting, and there can be no doubt that the practice is repre- hensible in the extreme. It is one of the great evils connected with American education.
 It is possible to conceive, also, of side line in connection with which teacher might attempt to use his ac- oaintance gained through the school room in trying to work up business as an agent of some kind, condition al- ways unpleasant and sometimes highly objectionable. A principal acting as agent for an insurance company, for example, might use undue and improper suggestions in trying to get some of his subordinates to take out policies in in his particular company A promo ter, likewise, might make himselt or fensive and disagreeable if he were to use his position in the schools as a van- tage ground for approaching his fellows or the parents of his pupils.
 There is another aspect of the case, however, which is entirely different. Where a teacher remains in one posi- ton year after year teaching the same subjects over and over again, using much the same materials. there is the greatest danger of narrOwness. A side line may be the salvation of many splendid instructor A patch of ground where small gardening is done; larger tract approaching the dignity of a farm; coop filled with favorite varieties of fowls; or even a case of butterflies and beetles, with it's ac- compartment of net and long walks in search of new specimens, may be just the thing needed to relieve the mind from the tedium of the schoolroom and make it all the better fitted for the serious work of the daily routine.
 Nor is the possession of private means, perhaps the result of years of saving, destructive of good work in the teachers's chair. A well-to-do man or woman, with wise investments, may be the most effective in the classroom and the best in influence over pupils. The real test of the side line should be this: Does it interfere with the efficiency of the teacher? That being answered in the negative, no one has any special reason for omplaint.-Chicag Tribune.