The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-05-25
IOWA SCHOOLS CLOSE.
TEACHERS ON STRIKE
Some Startling Developments
in the Ranks Of Educar
tional Workers.
Novel Strike in Schools For
Force Higher Wages
For Instructors.


higher wages in Johnson county, low a,
and now teachers in other counties
over the state, according to dispatch
es, have broken out in rebellion.
The strike is more or less sporadic
owing to the fact that the teachers are
not organized, but it evinces a new
spirit among the pedagogues that
promises much for the future.
The rural teacher over the country
Is one Of the lowest paid of workers.
The male teacher works for an ave-
rage wage Of less than $35 a month
from six to nine months a year and
the rest of the time Is compelled
country districts In search for work
as farm hand. The woman teacher
receives on an average at least IS a
month less than her brother in the pro-
fession.
The indications In Iowa are said to
point to uniOnism as remedy to these
lamentable conditions and as a means
Of raising the standard of living among
the instructors of the youth Of the
state.
BURLINGTON, Ia, May ga Z
per cent increase OF wages is the de-
mand of a. nassmeeung Of school
teachers Of the city, which was held
here recently.
A committee was appointed. which
met with the salary committee Of the
school board and presented their re-
quest.
Several petitions have heretofore
been handed in, but the board has
been unable SO far to make any con-
cessions in the way OF more pay. The
teachers for the coming year are to
be elected at meeting to be held In
the near future and the pedagogues in
terested are urging their petition with
ardor.
The teachers ask for per cent
general raise, assigning the Increased
cost OF living as the reason for the
desire for more money.
Inc total paid to teachers year
now is $90,000.0O0, and the increase
would mean an addition Of $4,000.
STRATFORD, Ia, May 23.-"we
Will not teach unless we receive bet
ter pay" This is the sentiment which
seems to exist with many of the in
structors through the county. There
are plenty Of good teachers now idle.
but for the fact that there is not suf-
hcient compensation paid for the la
Dor OF giving instructions they refuse
TO accept the schools.
ss-. Superintendent Holiday 49,, returned
nome: recently from the southern part
OF the county, where during the past
rev days he has been visiting MANY
rural schools. He was down In Clear
Lake and Marion townships. In these
two townships there are several schools
not In session for the rea son that, they
are unable. to secure teachers to In
struct.
The cause of this is not Teachers
with certificates, for there are manv
good teachers with first class recon-
mendauons, but they refuse to in
struot for the present wages being
paid by the different townships. The
average wages paid over the county
are from $40 to $35 month for six
to nine months work.
DEN1SON, a., May 23.-The had
situation OF the educational affairs q,
the county Is we'll known by the fact
that the three schools in the west half
OF Solder township are without teach
ers.
The teacher at Berne was Mrs
Helen johnson. one Of the best in thu
county. She began school, according
TO her understanding, at the rate Of
$40 per month. AS for the school
houses two miles north and a. mile
south OF Berne the board could yet no
teachers, many Of the pupils who usu-
ally attend at these schools began tn
come from Berne, putting added re-
sponslbility On Mrs. Johnson.
When pay time came, the director
said that he was only authorized to
pay $36 per month. The matter was
referred to the full school board Of
the township. Mrs. Johnson saving
she must have more than $40 If she
taught the scholars from three dis
tricts. The school board would not
yrof0 IN I