Evening journal., 1909-04-30
TEACHERS INVADE
COUNCIL MEETING
In Regular Procession, and
Asked for Increase Of
Salary

That the teachers do not intend 10
allow any opportunity 10 pass to bring
their demands for more salary to the
attention of City Council, was evident
- the size of the delegation which ap-
r-ared before that body at its meet
ing last night Fully 800 teachers Of
the public schools Of Wilmington fled
into the Council chamber about $50
o'clock and in addition, their ranks
were augmented by a delegation of
members OF the Board of Education,
the committee on education Of the
Board of Trade. and Superintendent OF
Schools DR.. George w. Twitmyer
The teachers are asking Council 70
appropriate $4,000 to complete the ad-
justment e. salaries fixed two years
ago. Last year they asked for $780,
600 and received half that amount
Now they ask for $4,000 additional.
The demands OF the teachers and
reasons for appropriating the amount
they ask. were amply presented to the
Councilmen by Miss Ellen Samworth.
Dr Twitmyer William +. Kurtz rep
resenting the Board of Trade commit
tee. and DR.. 4. o. Cooper, a member
OF the Board Of Education.
Miss Samworth's Able Argument.
Miss Samworth informed the Coun-
ciimen. by way of introduction that
the reason for the presence Of such a
large delegation Of teachers was he
cause of rumors circulated that the
public school teachers were not united
and for that reason did not get more
recognition.
Miss Samworth had figures which
showed that the cost Of maintaining
ell the departments Of the city had
Increased considerably within the past
eight years, with the exception Of the
schools BY way OF comparison Miss
Samworth said that the increase in
the cost of maintaining the schools in
the past eight years was 24.3 per cent
whereas the increase Of cost in the
Street and Sewer Department was so
per cent. Some conditions. she added,
had increased a thousand times.
Miss Samworth presented statistics
showing that the minimum salaries Of
public school teachers in ten cities In
the same class with Wilmington are
much higher than in Wilmington. Will
Transport Pa. the lowest IN the list
for instance. she said. with only a
population of 10000 showed minimum
salary paid its teachers OF $500 n year
while Wilmington paid only $3.50
1.-The teachers here for nineteen
years have received no increase in
their salaries" said Miss Samworth
and she added that they were entitled
10 the minimum salary Of $500 a year
after three years Of service. They
wore satisfied with $3.50 for the first
year. she said but should have S425
for the second year and $500 for the
third year.
Miss Samworth said the average sal
AIRY paid the teachers Of the city was
1896 a week. She said Il was inn
possible for the teachers receiving $3.50
a year TO live and appear decently
clothed on that salary. I'VE have a
right" she said. "to ask the citizens
Of the city for n living wage. We be-
long IN Wilmington and are your
daughters. sisters and associates, and
we ask you for recognition. Cut
down the expenses Of maintaining the
parks and streets and we will help
you police the city"
Referring to the many nremen pres
ent, who also appeared before Coun-
eli 60 urge their claims for more
money. Miss Samworth said; 1--WE
cannot do the work Of our fremen. and
I would say the same If they were not
here. they do splendid service in pro-
ttNllHb OUT MONIES ana lives.
I'VE don't ask you for 81 900 a year,
although a great many of our teachers
afe worth that much. but we do ask
thPt you grant the request we make"
prA Tesitnyer Aids the Cause.
Or. Twitmyer was applauded by the
teachers when he arose to address
Council. He said that Wilmington was
n splendid place to live in, but Il could
be made a better place by raising the
standard OF education. He said the
Board OF Education has set an educa-
tional standard for the teachers and
the latter have admirably discharged
their duties and come up TO the stand
Rrl set for them.
Marvellous strides have been made
IN educational work in Wilmington In
The past few years." said the speaker
''and 1t gives me pleasure to make the
statement before the teachers here as
semhled. Yet their salaries are way
below. by as much as from 30 10 a
per cent. compared with other citie.
who require the same standard
Tt must be humiliating" said Or
(Twitmyer. "to the citizens OF this citS
70 see what money is paid the teach,
hrs It Is dishonest on the part of IN,
City to accept the high standard or