The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-07
NEW YORK METHODS
Care and Appointment of School Teachers in Big City Shown
 by Miss Grace strahan,
SPEAKS AT HIGH SCHOOL
ApprcciatyC Audience Rendered Rare Treat ny Teachers League
 of This City,

A large gathering of teachers ana their friends was present at the nigh school auditorium last night where they were treated to a very brllllaht and interesting talk by Miss Grace E, Strahan of Brooklyn N. N., who ar peared under the auspices ol the Teachers league of New Haven The meeting, for such 1t was, was called to order by the president of the league, William II. Hackett, and after the transaction of some routine business, Mir. Hackett, introduced Miss Strahan,
 Miss Strahan Is woman of marked ability as has been shown In her rc- cent fight In behalf of the "equal pay for equal work" slogan with which she united 14OO0 lnterborough teahers of Greater New York The slogan which she used was simply the result of the discrimination with which the teachers of New York are treated as Is shown by the fact that there Is anywhere from $500 to Sl,000 year difference In the salaries of the male and female teachers of the city. Miss Straham in behalf of her fight even went so far as to go to the state capitol of New York where her advocacy of equal pay for teachers of the city. Miss Strahan in large number of prominent men of the state.
 It was Miss Strahan's sense of right and wrong which lead her to take up the fight with which sne has made herself extremely unpopular in many quarters and which has brought her into the llmelght of public opinion as woman of so marked ability. Her main contention in regard to equal pay was that the salaries of principals ana teachers should be regulated by merit, grade or class taught and by length of service, experience, etc, re- gardless of whether the person was a male or female.
 In her talk last night Miss Strahan gave very instructive and interest
 ing discourse on the manner and methods employed by the New York teachers in perfectng their organiza tion and making 1t one of strength and union with which they were able to gain what they already have ac- complished and what they expect to obtain in the future. The manner in which the teachers dcfrayed the ex- penscs of their delegates was also ex- tensvely shown hy the visitor, and the method with which their representa- tives appeared before the legislature was brought out.
 A large number of facts concerning the methods of the New York board of education in appointing teachers and their methods of dealing with the old teachers was shown to the local school marms. In New York a teach CT is required to teach for three years before she is given a permanent ap- pointment. If she is ill for a period of over five days she Is allowed full pay for 95 days If through old age or infirmity she is unable to carry out | her duties after twenty years of ser vice she Is retired on pension al the pro rata of half pay after thirty years service These conditions show that while the teachers are after a | better state they are cared for to degree somewhat better than in most | of the cities of the country
 After delivering her speech Miss Strahan went to the home of Mrs Alexander Troup. the guest of whoir she was while in this city. She stayed here over night and will go back tC Now York today
 Principal among the routine business l of the evening was the admission of ! forty-three new members, which | brings the membership of the local | league close onto 500. A rather inter- csting musical program preceded the l talk by Miss Strahan, in which several | of the teachers displayed their talents vocal and musical. to an excellent de- gree.
 | Piano selections by Miss Gertrude Fox. followed by solo by Miss Beata w. Blssell, accompanied by MT. Clifford Wadhams. and another solo by Miss Bertha L. Hunlc, accompanied by Ms ] Hunie, completed the evenings enter talnment, The officers of the league were well pleased with the attendance 1 last evening" and look to renewal of