The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-17
TEACHERS GUILD
MISS ELIZABETH STRlNGER
RETIRES FROM OFFICE.
Gives Excellent Report of Last Two
Years-Miss Annie Henderson
Named as Her Successor.

One of the most interesting features of
the annual meeting of the Essex County
Teachers Guild. held in the Free Public
Library, yesterday afternoon, was the read
ing Of the report of the accomplishment
Of the guild during her two years admin
istration, by Miss Elizabeth M. Stringer,
the retiring president.
Miss Stringer was not eligible for re-
election, as the guild constitution provides
that no president shall serve for more than
two consecutive years. Her place was
filled by Miss Annie Henderson, Of the
Hamburg Place School, who was unani-
mously elected to the Office.
The other officers were elected as follows:
Vice-presidents. Miss Stringer and Miss
Jessie d. Coe, of the Newton Street School;
county vice-presidents, Miss Kate Lambert,
of Nutley; Miss Amelia Douglas, Of Or
ange. and Miss May Shepard, Of Irving
ton; recording secretary, Miss Elsie Pullin,
Of the Lawrence Street School; correspond
ing secretary, Miss Mildred Clark; finan-
cial secretary, Miss Alice Haines, and
treasurer, Miss S. Emily Potter.
In the beginning of Miss %Stringer's re-
port she spoke OF the harmony, zeal and
courage with which the members had
worked together, and told Of her appre-
citation of their loyalty and support. She
then spoke of the value of organization
as an aid to professional work, saying:
siThere are unlimited possibilities Within
reach of any band Of workers who believe
in some common cause, and stand firmly
united for its attainment. | am not in
its specific sense an advocate Of 'woman's
rights but l do earnestly desire that a
woman's work shall be acknowledged, re-
spected and adequately remunerated."
Miss Stringer recalled the activity of the
guild in urging the change of the hours
of the afternoon session, and stated that
the Board of Education had never found
it necessary or advisable to reconsider Its
action in making the change, which right
that body had reserved for itself in case
the hours proved unsatisfactory.
She also mentioned the work done in
dividualiy, and as a society, In suppressing
suggestive and immoral bill posters, and
spoke of the hearty response which had
met the guilds efforts, as well as of the
Jealous cooperation Of sister clubs, public
officials and the press in general. She ex-
pressed pleasure at reading that the COM
mon Council had taken decided action re-
garding the poster matter, and said that
she hoped another strong, vigorous effort
would be made to keep young children
from the cheap theatres that cater only
to the low and vicious tastes and pas
sions," and that the guild would put itself
on record as being in sympathy with such
a movement.
Miss Strlnger then went on to state that
the work of the salary committee for
the past two years had beenfarduous and
painstaking. THE chairman, Miss s. EN-
lily Potter" said she, a been untiring in
her efforts, and while we would not pre-
sumo TO say that the guild has been re-
sponsible for the advance in salaries, ii
is only fair TO state that some of the
suggestions made by your to
the teachers committee of the Board OF
Education, have been incorporated in theil
new schedule. Some very strenuous WORK
was done this summer in trying to gel
the maximum salary in September, 1907
or at least January 1, 1908, for all those
who had taught twenty years in the city
of Newark. A detailed and elaborate
document was prepared in July, and SEM
to the chairman of the teachers commit
tee, AS according to the annual report Of
1906 only 10 per cent. of the teachers would
come in that class 1t did not seem an IN
reasonable request, to ask that they be
I given the maximum at once, instead OF be
ing obliged to wait three years and foul
months longer.
AhSNRAAAA6 " tAO 49,
maximum would have been received Janu-
airy, 1908, said maximum for the grade
teachers to be $500. BY the new schedule,
assistants are to receive three dollars pei
month increase until January l, 1903. This
makes just $42 more in sixteen months
than would rave been received had the ole
schedule remained, in force.
1T is generally conceded" she added
that the cost of living has advanced II
per cent. annually for the last five years
When salaries are only raised 3 per cent
to meet that Increase the difference mus
be made up at the expense of the teachers
strength and vitality. No action seems tc
have been taken looking to the recognl-
ton of long and faithful service, and the
said 10 per cent. must wait until January
|, 1910, to receive the long-hoped for maxi
num-
Miss Stringer paid a tribute to David
Mcintyre. president of the Board of Edu.
cation, who, she said. had always done hi:
best to help the guild and the teachers II
every way. and particularly for his recon-
mendation. that the teachers be paid tbs
first OF each month, and not toward thl
middle. She said they were to be con
graduated on having such a president, wht
was earnest and untiring in his efforts t.
advance the interests Of the teachers ant
the efficiency OF the city schools.
She also spoke Of the work of the bene
fetal u department, saying that the faci
that during the past year they had beer
able to pay benefits at the beginning of tbs
second week OF illness instead OF the third
marked Its unqualified success and served
as an incentive to stronger organization.
She said that the social affairs given bs
the guild during the year served to SHOW
that it did not underestimate the value o.
the social side of life, even while engaged
IN professional and altruistic work. ant
she added that the social courtesies ox
changed between the guild n other clubs