The Topeka state journal., 1906-03-06


least sum paid a high school teacher
exceeds the greatest sum paid any
one of US by SIS, a difference in favor
of the high school teacher of 20 per
cent, while the difference between
the minimum in both cases is $35
lover S71z per cent? in favor of the
high school teacher We do not know
what the maximum is in the high
school, but we do know that many
high school and manual training
teachers are paid a wage SO per cent
higher than any one of us can receive
under the present schedule.
80. Every one else connected with
the management Of the schools of the
city has within recent years had an
increase in salary. Ours has re-
manned stationary. We are not con-
tending that you overpay the super
intendent the principals or high
school teachers. We do not think you
do. We do complain that we are dis
eFiminated against, and that we are
underpaid.
%. There are several instances in
your schools where the teacher who
has been in your employ for a decade
is paid less than the man who sweeps
her school room floor and whose serv-
ice covers but two or three years.
while our pay has remained at a.
standstil. it is known to everyone
that the cost of living has materially
advanced during the past decade. The
$50 we now receive has the purchas-
ing power of $40 at the outbreak of
the Spanish war. Yet we must main
tain the same station in life. When
you reflect that we are out of emplov-
ment three months in each year, you
viii note that not one of US can have
over $45 and many of US, alas, less to
meet our monthly expenses and lay
anything by against the necessities Of
future sickness and advancing age
Such an outlook is NOT encouraging
nor conducive to the most efficient
service.
we respectfully petition you to re-
adjust the schedule, and we suggest
that the minimum for graded teach
ers be fixed at $45 per month and
the maximum at ST5. graduating the
pay between the two extremes upon
the increased efficiency which arises
from length of service
Debate Is Lively.
Then superintendent Whittemore
read short endorsement of the peti-
ton of the teachers. presented nv the
principals of the different grade
schools in the city. in which was said:
we heartily endorse the petition pre-
sented by the teachers, and wish to say
that they are on the firing line of the
progress of our schools. We heartily
IaVor the proposed increase in their
salaries
Judge Carver had already objected
TO passing Mr. Norton's resolution on
the grounds that the proviso attached
10 It. made 1t very unsatisfactory tfI
am in favor of increasing the nav of
the teachers. But it would be a very
poor thing to pass this resolution. and
keep string on it, with which to pull
It back when we find that the trea sllry
IS shy From the report of the treas
urer read here tonight I should Judge
that we viii just about come out even
at the end of this school year. If we
can see our way clear to raise the pay
OF the teachers now, I favor doing it,
but II not, then we should wait until
we see how things stand"
Mr.. Norton: The committee care
fully considered this matter. The sal
aries of the superintendent and princi-
pals have been raised and we deemed
it wise to raise the salaries of the
grade teachers. 1t might prevent any
discomfort"
Mr.. Roudebush:e '.I think this mat
ter ought to be held guD now until we
treasury win be- am heartily in
favor of raising the salaries of the
teachers, but we should know first
whether we will be able to make good
THIS order It would not be wise to
let the information go out that we will
make the advance In the salaries of
grade teachers, and then find out that
our treasury will not permit US to
make it,
Mr.. Miller: ''I think that we win be
&
US pass the resolution"
Mr.. Nicholson: THE teachers. have to
work very hard. I know that their du-
ties are very heavy and I think that
tney 90 not receive as much compensa-
tion as they are entitled to. Then too
beileXe that it would be a good thing
10 pass this resolution in the Interests
OF harmony. We have raised Mr.. Whit
temore's salary $500. He deserves every
cent of It. We have raised the salaries
of some Of the principals The grade
teachers have received no advance Now
some OF them viii feel that discrenan-
cy is being made against them possibly.
or feel that the men at the head of the
list of positions are getting a little the
best of it. Let US take care of the all
in the ranks. When this resolution
comes up now I hear lot of talk about
shortage in the funds. When Mr. Whit
no such talk. I say these things in JUS
tice to all parties concerned. I believe
If the matter had been left to Mr..
WhittenOre alone, he would have said
Use the additional $500 you gave me
for the grade teachers If it will increase
the harmony and keep up the best of
feeling such as now obtains Tt is a
fact that some Of the janitors who sweep
the floors and shovel coal are getting as
big and bigger salaries than some of
the teachers. That does not nut a
premium upon an education, does it?''
President Mallory wanted to know
/ from Mr.. Nicholson if there was any
feeling among the teachers over the in
crease Of salary granted to Mr.. White
more.
No replied Mr. Nisholson. ''I do
not know that there is, but I simply
wished to prevent it."
Mr.. Hardy: Il move that the matter
be referred to a special committee OF
three to be reported on at the next
meeting" No second was forthcoming.
Mr. Wilson: ct do not think that the
I fol hos n To do n
raising the teachers salaries. hear
some of the teachers are using it. l
think it foolish. Most of these janitors
| have to work IA and 1 5 hours every
day and have to hire men to help
them. These they. pay out of their own
| salaries The ianitor gets Id In the