Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-10

Hyde Park, Mass, on Teaching of His
tory"
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:
Supt. Kendall's Address.
Supt. C. NJ Kendall of indianapolis, Ind.
in discussing the expense of the education
which public schools ought to give. said:
This expense must. be considerable more
than at present, for the following reasons:
First. The demands upon schools are
constantly increasing AS an example, the
farmers in some sections of the country are
demanding that the elements of agriculture
shall be taught. Manual training In It's va
rious phases s another example.
Second. More and more people live in
the cities, and schools in cities cost more
per capita than schools in the country.
Third. The cost of living has greatly In
creased in the past ten years. This serious
ly affects the net salaries of teachers.
Fourth There are numerous well-paid
and attractive employments other than
teaching for both women and men.
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-
tive citizenship.
THE teacher is the determining factor in
the success of schools. We demand teach
ers possessing good health. scholarly at
tainments, teching power, social refinement
and the ability to use good English SO far
as schools fall short OF teachers possessing
these qualities, far are they WaSteful
and so far do they fail to accomplish their
purpose--the production of intelligent citi-
zenship and social efficiency
Mr. Kendall said further that In the
cities OF the United States, and excepting
RpSton Chicago
phia the average yearly salaries of women
teachers in the elementary schools was only
1856. In half of the cities the average sal
airy is less than $500.
So far as men are concerned. they have
practically disappeared from teaching In
the elementary schools of cities, owing to
the inadequate salaries.
The wages for women in half the cities
are less than those of servant girls, when
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 fare less expensive. In
many cities the minimum wages OF teach
erS are less than the labOrerS on the
streets This labor Is entirely i'm skilled,
while the teacher has spent years in prepa-
ration. The wages of skilled labor are from
rs to 100 per cent higher than teachers
wages The wages of teachers In the cities
are princely in comparison with those III
the rural schools. In view OF the demands
made upon them, teachers are therefore
that the pay should be so inadequate for
those in whose hands rests the training for
citizenship
Mr.. Kendall deprecated any attempt to
systematically organize teachers for higher
pay 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. In Indiana the governor
of the state has appointed commission.
consisting of laymen. as we'll as educators,
to investigate the whole question of teach
ers' salaries and taxation. and make re-
port to be presented at the coming session
of the legislature.
Mr. Kendall predicted that unless higher
salaries are paid to teachers there would be
steady Increase of private schools to
which many thoughtful and discriminating
people would send their children.
Mr. Kendall argued that the public school
might well cost for it's maintenance half as
much as the tuition charge of private
schools.
Teachers and educators should realize,
however that increased expense for schools
would mean increased demands upon the
schools for better work. Increased salaries
would mean higher standards for teachers.
The public should realize that the agitation
for better salaries is not SO much plea
for the interests of teachers as a plea for
the interests of the pupils In the schools.
There were no sessions OF the institute
this afternoon.