Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-11
WAGES OF SCHOOL TEACHERS
Indiana Man Says They Must BE
Higher or Schools Will
Suffer.

NEW HAVEN. Conn, July 10.-The
American Institute of Instruction opened
its annual convention today, with sessions
in several departments
In the department of public school finance
Calvin N. Kendall superintendent of
schools in indianapolis, Ind, spoke on the
expense of the education which public
schools ought to give, saying in part:
This expense must he considerably more
than at present, for the following reasons;
Fhst-1he demands upon scnools are con
stantly increasing. AS an example the
are demanding that the elements of agri-
culture shall be taught. Manual training
in its various phases is another example
Second-More and more people live IN the
cities, and schools in cities cost more per
capita than schools Il, ne country.
Third-The cost of living has greatly in
creased in the last ten years This seri-
ously affects the net salaries OF teachers.
Fourth-There are numerous well paid
and attractive employment other tnan
teaching for both men and women.
Fifth-The public can afford to pay more
for schools than at present, because the
country is prosperous is growing richer
and good schools contribute as no other
force does to the various kinds of produc-
The teacher is the determining factor in
the success of schools. We demand teach
tainnents, teaching power. social refine
ment and the ability TO use good Eng
lish. SO far as schools fall short OF teach
ers possessing these qualities, so far are
they wasteful and so far do they fail to
accomplish their purpose-the proouction of
Excepting New York, Boston, Chicago
and Philadelphia, the average yearly sala-
ries of women teachers in the elementary
schools was only $50. In half OF the
cities the average is less than $500
SO far as men are concerned, they nave
practically disappeared from teaching in the
elementary SCHOOLS Of cities, owing to the
inadequate salaries.
The wages for women in half the cities
hna nf nTNFnn Nrl
1t is considered that the latter pay moth
ing for board, room and laundry. More
over they have no social position to main
tain, as does the teacher, and the require
ments of dress are far less expensive. In
many cities the minimum wages OF teach
streets This labor is entirely unskilled,
while the teacher has spent years in prep
from rs to 100 per cent higher than teach
ers' wages The wages OF teachers in the
cities are princely compared with those IN n
made upon them, teachers are therefore
miserabiy underpaid. 1t seems increditable
that the pay should be so inadequate for
those in whose hands rests the training tor
citizenship.
Mr.. Kendall deprecated any attempt TO
Systematically organize teachers for higher
nav. There should be discussion, however,
publicity Of the facts and agitation. Teach
ers should use their efforts TO secure neces-
sary legislation which might bring about
better conditions.
Teachers and educators should realize
however, that the increased demands
schools would mean increased demauds
upon the schools for better work. In
/ creased salaries would mean higher stand
ara for teachers. The public should realize
that the agitation for better salaries is
not so much a plea for the interests OF
teachers as a plea for the interests of the
! r,nils in the public schools
There was no sessions OF the institute
! this afternoon,