New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-25
SALARY BILL HEARING.
TEACHERS At CAPITOL.
Governor Hears arguments For and
AGAINST WMtC Measure.
lRy TeI,erNph TO The TrIbuae.I

Albany. May 24-The Governor listened 10 all
kinds o: arguments for and against the White
egu.l pay teachers bill for more than four hours
this afternoon. The executive chamber crowd
ed with friends snd enemies Of the bill and their
counsel. The Board OF Education in for
much denuncation by advocates Of the bill. IN
efficient. 'niggardly. unjust" discriminating
21d ''numskulls'' were of the epithets applied
TO Ihem. Governor Hughes followed the arguments
on both Sides closely, and his questions showed
that he already had made a thorough study of the
Dill occasionally when speaker wandered from
the realm of facts into that OF rhetoric and howery
language the Governor would suggest that lie de-
vote himself to the phases q: the bill.
The Governor smiled broadly when Miss Yajer
presden. Of the Federation of Women's Clubs, told
min that lie could not veto this BILL the grornd
that II was against home rule for If he did he
would have 10 agree with Mayor Mcclellan and
"e:o the public utilities bnl and the recount bill
when ;hoy came back from the Mayor, vetoed"
The opposition called first and hour
ord half was allowed each side. although the
Governor later extended the time. e. L. Winthrop
President o. TIE Board OF Education, the first
speaker. lie briefly stated his objections the
bill. saying that it mpracticable badly drafted
would Involve the expenditure of too much money
on the part Of the city, and that compromise
could lie adopted which would be far better in the
end, lie criticised teachers for their
conduct N coming up TO Albany and doing such
strenuous lobbying.
ABRAHAM STERN SPEAKS.
After him came Abraham Stern. a member of the
Board Of Education. Mr.. Stern the principal
speaker for the opposition, and for nearly two
hours advanced objections against the bill. lie
said
The Interbcrough Association OF Women Teachers
want adopt Schedule 6 for both men and
women. This schedule provides minimum salary
of $500 a year. and provides for annual mere
ment. To adopt this schedule would mean the ad-
ditional expenditure of $9.0oO0oO year for educa
lion in the public schools of the city of New York.
That Is too much That is imposing heavy a
came TO with this matter offered to compro-
mise; nut they would haze no cq2Im2romse and
made splendid. a magnificent fight. We do not
approve Of all their methods in conducting their
wrong ones. But their coming to Albany has had
e., bad moral effect on The teaching force In the pub
that on the children in the schools. for IT was
Sometimes it is hard to resist the smiles and the
opportunities of these women teachers and II is
Interior object in our opposition TO this bill We op-
pose it because believe It is for the good of the
SCHOOLS
The Governor interrupted him here by suggest
ing that he take up the merits Of the bill. Mr.
Stern continued:
The bin is mandatory 1t Is worse in that respect
drawn that after studying It carefuy am nun uh
able TO decide what Interpretation should be given
the of ff this B f s minimum nme saaPS
day Why does no Senator GT h fnd correct
the low salaries in his home city. instead OF inter
BILL FROM A LEGAL VIEWPOINT.
Mr.. Stern was followed by Mr. whitney counsel
for the Board Of Education. Mr.. Whitney dis
cussed the bill from a legal viewpoint. He said
that II was full Of mistakes and was in many
places so ambiguous that II was mere guesswork
10 tell what 1t meant He said that the Legis-
iature should at least recall It for amendments If
II did not Kill it. He thought the BILL If passed
would cause almost endless litigation
William Ettinger principal OF Manhattan high
school followed Mr.. Whitney. and after discussing
the measure for short time followed by
George McAneny. president of the City Club
There is some justice in the course adopted by
the female teachers" said the latter; but they
are going too far in coming up to Albany and
lobbying for the bill. If they withdraw I pledge
the City Club TO work for the correction of he
evils which they complain Of although 1 do not
believe in their bill
Miss Davidson. primary school teacher said the
primary teachers did want the BILL as It made
no provision for them, and provided only for the
teachers in the higher grades.
A ;. e. Deming acting counsel for the Inter
borough Teachers Association, was the first
speaker for the bill. He said:
They admit the Justice of our contention but the
they say it will cost too much money An infamous
sole rs being done to these female teachers for
trousers 1t is time for US 10 do away with this In
spend enough money to educate properly its chill
dren 10 pay teachers large enough salaries com
instruction from those who are morally and men
tally capable Of giving IT.
The speaker then argued that the bill was not an
anti-home rule measure. because the teachers OF
New York City controlled by the Board of
which hardly branch OF the CITY
government, technically speaking. availed him
self of several opportunities criticise Board
Of Education. and warned it that IL It was not moro
IT would be suppIanted
COMPLIMENT TO GOVERNOR HUGHES.
women teachers. was the next speaker. After be- !
ginning his speech with a fusome compliment to |
Governor Hughes. he denounced the Board of Edu- |
cation.
Everybody knows" said he. that in every I'M |
paid body Of men there are three five only who |
amount anything: the rest are mere dummies |
and hgureheads"
This outburst the cause of some amusement |
among those present. who watched interest the
faces OF the members Of the board who were I'm |
by Miss Grace Strachan. who has led the fight for |
the bill and who is the chairman of the execu-
i've committee Of the marlborough Teachers Asso-
station. Miss Strachan's arguments for the bill |
were considered by the majority OF her hearers
he most forceful of the day, and the Governor lis
ened to them attentivey.
She replied 10 the arguments OF tho opponents
the bill and advanced ones for It. She gave
oncise accounts of the struggles of the INTERIOR
'oard of Education and redress FOR its grievances
orced come to Albany for relief At the close
her address, she showed the Governor a roll
( paper which were printed in parallel col
INNS the Davis and White bills with the man
atory features OF the marked in red ink: of |
ne he other in blue. and sought to show by this
ow much less mandatory the White bill than |
lilly. - - N
After the opposition had had few minutes %,
eDuttal' the Governor announced the hearing |
losed ana gave both sides permission to submit
rlefs WITHIN a reasonable time. And [ shall ask |
GU to make your briefs short as possible and
Try 10 bear in mind that the Governor under |
lands and can read English fairly WELL he added