The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-12
EQUAL PAY BILL
HAYE YOU READ FTP THE
MAtOR ASKS ITS SUPPORTERS.

MOOR ASKS ITS SUPPORTERS.
: q -
Some or Them Hadn't, but That DIDN'T
Disturb Em-MoCsrren for It-Op.
position Resists 1t "a the Fruit OF
Lebb,tns and . Blow at Home Rule
T There was a reasonably lively time In
the City Hall yesterday morning from
10 TO u when Mayor Mcclellan gave a
hearing on the Teachers Saery Equalisa-
ton bill. which passed the Legislature by
an overwhelmingly favorable vote M
now comes to the Mayor for approval or
for veto. The Mayor vetoed a similar
bill last year.
The council chamber was packed to
the doors from the beginning OF the near
ingto its end, the advocates OF the measure
being headed by q dele cation Of women
school teachers, each provided with the
necessary permit from the Board OF
Education. There were also q number OF
representatives Of women's clubs and
cther organizations. and Senator Patrick
Il. McCarren made q plea for the ladies'.
The opponents OF the measure were
also out In force, headed by Commits
Sioners Harris and Stern OF the Board OF
Education, who were authorized by the
Board to oppose the bill. Representatives
of various taxpayers associations and
real estate mems organizations spoke
against the measure. and so did one repre-
sentative of the men teachers.
The Mayor announced that he would
rive the first hour OF the hearing to the
~.proponents OF the Measure and the second
hour to its opponents, and thai then he
would stop hearing anybody. And ne
did too, though the walls Of the council
chamber bulged with unuttered oratory.
Il will now hear the proponents said
the Mayor. Whereupon Miss Grace
strachan arose and assumed control OF
the affirmative. Before she had said
more than six words the Mayor interrupted
her rather tartly by saying that he had
seen in an evening newspaper OF the
previous day an account Of a speech by
Miss Strachan in which she was quoted
rs referring to the possibility that 1900
women teachers of the city would 60 on
lttrike II the bill were not approved.
May I ask the meaning. of this state
ment?' inquired the Mayor in a chilly
tone.
Il am glad to have the opportunity
replied Miss Strachan of correcting that
publication. / did make q talk at the
Church ofthe Ascension on Sunday night
Nsd ! said that II the teachers were TO
follow the advice Of two prominent
lawyers. Of this city they would 60 on
vtrike il the bill were not approved,
bit i took great pains to state that the
women teachers Of New York would
never consider such a course that their
conception Of their duty to their pupils
wa far too high to allow them to think
of such q thing"
sThere vas an unfortunate suggestion
Of a threat to the executive said the
Il am sorry l used the expression at
ALL replied Miss Strachan. There Wa
no such thought in my mind"
She went on to point out the differences
etweep the present bill and the bill
the Mayor formerly vetoed. She said
that though the bill provided for equal
nay for men and women teachers it also
provided that the results should DO OBJ
tanned gradually and that the four mill
tax would provide for an annual in
crease. Of about 5 5000. 900. She declared
that the bill embodied the basic princl-
Piles Of cavp service reform end had been
voted for by 70 per cent. OF the legisla-
tors. It was the legislators. she said,
who were the authorized representatives
of tho taxpayers and not certain SELF
ponatitAted so-called taxpayefs' associa-
tions. She. then introduced Senator Nc
Carrsn- 49,. ~,
sSenator,' inquired the Mayor. "if
It IL not indisoreet may i inquire II you
arc one Of the two prominent lawyers
who advised the teachers to striker
'aNo, SIR retorted McCarren with a
broad grin. 4 plead not guilty He
vent on 70 say that that the ther S;, Ta as no @a poin.
tofy; TIE Davis bill which it amended
was also mandatory, and the only way
tofAfnend an arbitrary bill was to do it
Arbitrarily. .,
kfEvsry person here he went on, will
agree with me when say we owe uch
o~uf:schools. Few Of our young men will
ever forget that they received the funda-
mBntals Of their education from women.
T, Many men take up teaching temporarily
while fitting themselves for something
slse, but barring marriage the women
! Norkfs the proposition thatth bill makes.
How can anybody contend against its
3ustice7 It is fair and just that this meas
tfre should receiveyour Honor 3 approval.
Thomas j. curtis. representing the
Central Federated Union. spoke. for the
bn, as did Commissioner Holland, who is
also q member Of the C. F. L.
Mrs. Belle De Rivera, president OF the
/ ESderation Of Women's Clubs. had not got
Very far with her talk before the Mayor
Vaked her il h was familiar with the
provisions Of the bill.
III am familiar with its principle she
EiButyou are notfamiliar with its terms
ykou do not know whether they carry out
~ alleged purpose?' insisted the Mayor.
tits principle Is the principle Of equal
hay for equal work. / am not familiar
VIII. its details. replied the speaker.
sAh,s said the Mayor.
E:Jom G. Freund, editor Of Musical Amer
}edsJaunched gayiy. upon an GRAFTON about
EfsaiEhts Of the downtrod when he too
6ft an actually.
Are you familiar with the provisions
bf this bIl?' snapped tbs Mayor.
k.sNo, sir, admitted Mr.. Freund.
AxsYou come here to talk about a bill
Lou haven't wen read?'
gfsIt's enough for me that the Legisla-
ture approved 1t overwhelmingly. sir
-Do you take all your principles from
HE Legislature?'
IssWell, ! am influenced by them. oven
though / know there's a large percentag &c
b Tammany men among them.'
' aVk r.s.kt aoo;Iy ha n 1or~ar ~n~o-uA