New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-30
TEACHERS BILL VETOED
REP4SS4GE TALK HEARD.
Governors Reasons Stdted-Woa,-
ems Lobbying in Vain.
IBy Telegraph to TIE Tribune. !


cation Of New York City. and that the broad
proposition equal pay for equal work" while
/ an attractive one. too big for the Legis-
lature to take up hastily, and. If taken up by
the Legislature. should be made 10 apply to all
cities and all through the state civil service
! This veto sets at naught all the frantic lobby
Ing done by the women both before and after
Mayor Mcclellan vetoed the measure-Iobbyinx
such as never here before which on
every side was termed an open scandaI-Iobby-
ing which caused Speaker Wadsworth on several
occasions to order the women from the floor OK
the Assembly Already there is talk of passing
the bill over the Governors veto. but even Sem
ator White, the measures most enthusiastic
supporter, seems not to feel sanguine about its
chances, Some such effort though may bo
made next week
Ihe'Governor's veto was follows:
State of New York
Executive Chamber.
To the Senate: I return herewith. ~ Without TN my
/ approval, Senate Bill No i.2i3 entitled IAN act TO
amend the greater New York charter in relation
Supervising and teaching stsf Of the pabe Schools
OF the city OF New York"
oo Inc Board OF Education OF the city of New York
IeyoT fo OF forysx Insmoers appointed by the
ara excenreS e3T ts Fns OF nv Se years They
charter authorizing the Mayor to remove public
ever his Judgment the public public interest shall so
rfsLare; and are removable only upon sustained
tive department, the Board of Education. BY the
prese ef 59 on charter possesses the powers and
may may be seed. 1t has the management and con-
system Of the city. subject only TO the general
6h or the state relating TO public schools and
9o e Gnsrtsr Il has power TO establish schools 70
Partnents and teachers and to adopt bylaws and
TsItatons ION Ior the proper execution OF It's duties
neTs OF tbs supervising and the teaching STAFF. sub
Ject 70 the p vision that there shall bs established
q UNIFORM schedule DrOVilinC an pu1Ial
increment snd that the salaries AMI annual tncre-
not be less than specified amounts 71''''-' ''''
The Board OF Education annually submits the
Of the moneys needed for the entire school system
Estimate and Apportionment is required to appro-
pirate for the general school fund amount not
valuation Of the real and personal estate in the
city OF New York liable to taxation The Board OF
subject 10 the general provisions of the charter
othef claims by the Department. Of Fnsnce and i'm IN
case the amount appropriated exceeds the amount
school fund for the following year.
supply the funds REQUIRED the Board Of Education
sG5 to fOaro by the sity authorities There
and ne oit o',s % ct ne & s9e IeschSrs
contracts made BY the board This results as the
Of the state from an early date 10 divorce ths
n, business OF public education from an other mu-
tion Of the Board OF Education as a corporate body
gnated division Of the state and manage and eon
trol the school,. therein (Gunnison vs., Board OF
The Board Of EDUCATION is thus directly subject
10 the control OF the Legislature and whatever pro-
visions may be found necessary or wise for ths
purpose OK defning rs powers or Presenting its
other authority is competent TO make such pro-
But, while the Legislature has power 10 deal with
every phase Of the matter. the course which
OF action should be laid down. and that within
these PRINCIPLES freedom with reference 70 details
body acting with peculiar knowledge OF local condi
When the so-caIIed Davis law was passed in 1929
II was thought important TO the educational in
for teachers should be prescribed. well mini
mum annual increments presumably to improve the
ences appear between the amounts payable TO men
ton only minimum requirements. but the prac-
tice has been 70 pay women less than men. and
eGuaiities now EXIST p'eu - '4s 'o"iU sA''lS III
The motive OF the present bill is to compel equal
pay for and women holding the same positions
under any particular schedule OF salaries The
schedules and the raising OF additional funds by
taxation turn upon this central Tsqgireme9t. and
much the question is one of general principle It
estabshed bx the Iegisiattre in LAYING down The
rules under which the Board of Education shall
Now, without taking up the alleged ambisuities
bill il clearly appears. with respect to this
fundamental matter. TO be open TO serious oojec-
II proposed by legislative enactment establish
tion women shall receive equal pay with Il
IS for this principle that the supporters OF the bill
contend and not for mere increased pay. The gross
Inequalities which have been permitted by the
Board of Education. and which clearly should not
be continued. pointed TO for the purpose OF
emphasizing the principle in question
The proposition as 1t is put-"equal pay for equal
works. attractive one, and set forth behalf
Of the worthy public servants who are engaged in
this important calling II has elected large
measure OF support. while at the time IL has
provoked vigorous opposition from those who be-
i'eve that the desired legislation would be
fortunate both for the schools and the
teachers
general application and II should not be adopted
by the unless the state is prepared 70 apply
II generally The question is necessarily one OF
state policy, and such IL should be presented
and debated before action Is taken
There is reason why the principle should be
applied TO teachers in New York and TO those
where in the state. Nor is there any why
should be limited TO school teaching II sound Il
should be applied IN our state hospital service, IN
our charitable and reformatory institutions and
generally through the civil service OF the state II
is indefensible that principle OF grave Importance
to the state whole should be established IN
consideration which such il receives. The
sideration OF such matter should be under cir
cumstances directing the attention OF every men,
ber of the Legislature 70 It's Importance with refer
ence his own constituency and to the state at
large and not upon the assumption that IL Is
question OF purely local concern
do within the limits OF their discretion. while To-
cally important is very different matter from the
establishment by legislation of principle OF action
which has no appropriate local limitation BY act
ing in such matters through local bills the state
finds itself committed to a course which as state
policy has never received thorough consideration:
matter should be left 10 the Board OF Education 20
be dealt with locally may seem best unless the
Legislature Is prepared 70 lay down the sensrai
principle for the entire state and the entire public
4