Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-07-13
TEACHERS PAY
MISERABLY LOW.
Supt. Kendall of Indianapolis Says Serv-
ants and Street Laborers
Get More.

NEW NOkh, july lO.-Supt. " N.
Kendall of the public schools at Indian
apols, in an address before the New
England Institute of Instructions today,
while deporing the fact that teachers
wages are very low--in some cases less
than those of servant girls-declared
himself as opposed to teachers organic
ing for higher pay.
People Can Afford Better Pay.
He declared that the public can at
ford to pay more for schools than at
presen. because the country is pros
porous, is growing richer, and good
schools contribute as no other force does
to the various kinds of productive clt
Zcnship.
The teacher is the determining factor
in the success of schools. We demand
teachers possessing good health, scholar.
ly attachments, teaching power, social
refinement, and the ability to use good
English. SO far as schools fall short OF
teachers possessing these qualities SO Tar
are they wasteful, and SO far do they
fail to accomplish their purpose-the pro,
duction of intelligent citizenship and
social efficiency.
Mr.. Kendall said further that in the
United States and excepting New YORK,
Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. the
average yearly salaries of women teach
ers in the cities in the elementary schools
was only $556.,, In half of the cities the
average salary is less than SoOO.
Men Can't Afford Teaching.
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 it is considered that the lat
l.. nd
laundry. Moreover, they have no social
position to maintain, as does the teach
err, and the requirements of dress are
far less expensive. In many cities the
minimum wages Of teachers are less
than the laborers on the streets Tins
labor is entirely unskilled, while the
teacher has spent years in preparation
The wages of skilled labor are from %
to 100 per cent. higher than teachers .
wages.
The wages of teachers in the cities
are princely in comparison with those
in the rural schools. In view of the de-
mands made upon them, teachers are
therefore miserably underpaid. 1t seems
incredible that the pay should be so III
adequate for those in whose hands rests
the training for citizenship.
Not for Teachers Unions.
Mr.. Kendall deprecated any attempt to
Systematically organize teachers for high
er pay There should be discussion, how
ever, publicity of the facts, and agitation
Teachers should use their efforts to Sc
cure necessary legislation which might
bring about better conditions. In In
diana the governor of the state has an
pointed commission consisting of lay
men, as we'll as educators, to investigate
the whole question of teachers salaries
and taxation, and make report 20 he
presented at the coming session of the
Legislature.
Mr. Kendall predicted that unless
higher salaries are paid to teachers there
would be a 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 Its
maintenance half as much as the tuition
charge of private schools
Better Work Is the Price.
Teachers and educators should real,
ize, however, that increased expense OF
schools would mean increased demands
upon the schools for better work. In
creased salaries would mean higher
standards for teachers. The public
should realize that the agitation for bet
ter salaries is not SO much plea for the
interests Of teachers as plea for the