New-York tribune., 1910-01-07
EQUAL PAY FIRST
MISS STR1CH4N FIRM.
But, at That, She Heard Ra-
mors of DR.. MarzcePs Post.

One thing at a time persistently clung TO
will result, ii is said, I'm Several things
being done we'll, whether the system be
followed by man OF woman. If II were be-
lieved otherwise by Miss Grace C. Strachan.
the equal-pay-for- leader I'm Brook
lyn, she might never be City Superin-
tendent of Schools for greater New York
She may never attain that eminenee de-
spite her beliefs, but that is not the point
at present
DR.. William II. Naxwells term as City
Superintendent expires on March IS. Miss
Strachan's friends within and without the
Board of Education are passing along the
whispered query: How about--in fact,
why not a woman for City Superin-
tendent?" This much granted, who among
womankind better qualified or so widely
known, who so available and, perhaps,
ready, TO assume new burdens requiring
strength of mind and sIngleness of pur-
pose Miss Grace Charlotte Strachan,
superintendent of districts 80 and 80 in
Brooklyn: she who was born in Buffalo.
the birthplace also of Mrs. Ella Flagg
Young. already City Superintendent of
Schools in Chicago?"
Where the rumor started is hard TO de-
termine. Whether the bridge took it across
or brought 1t over is impossible to dis
cover. Miss Straehan doesn't know who
is to blame-that is, Miss Strachan said
yesterday that she was conscious of the
activity of the rumor coupling her name
with the office of City Superintendent of
Schools. but, except that she felt fiatteTed
and had been told by members of the
Board of Education and other friends that
she was the person for the place. she really
did not know anything about the matter
And who are the Commissioners of Edu-
cation who thus coyly promised support to
Miss Strachan? Search has failed to find
a member of the board who will say that
he has even heard of any other member as
favorable TO the substitution of Miss
Strachan for DIR. Maxwell. But that's an
other story. The rumor has been roaming,
and others besides Miss Strachan herself
have had their attention called to the prob
able possibilities, so to speak, when votes
counted next March.
Miss Strachan is not now a candidate.
however. She was positive, polite and
painstaking in giving her reasons at her
home, No. 1905 Pacific street, Brooklyn,
yesterday afternoon.
"One thing at time" said she, kindly.
Always L have ordered my life, as far
1t has been possible. first to carry one thing
TO the end before shouldering other duties.
The cause of the Interborough Association
of Women Teachers must succeed before
1 can permit myself to think of such
thing as my becoming City Superintendent
of Schools
You are, then, not a candidate?' was
asked.
mo, I am not candidate, and 1 have
told you why" she replied. Equal pay
must first succeed. L realize the honor that
my friends bestow upon me when they
urge my name as a successor to DR.. Max
well. AS far as qualifications go, feel that
my work in the elementary schools, high
schools and normal school as teacher, as
member of the faculty of the Training
School for Teachers in Brooklyn, followed
by principalships, and, for the last ten
years, as district superintendent, makes
record that is the equal if not the superior
of any that can be produced by any other
person in the public school system, from
the City Superintendent down"
In 1898. while attending the summer ses-
sion Of the Cook County. H.. normal
school, she was told by Colonel Parker. of
that institution, she said. that If she would
remain al that place he would guarantee
that she would one day have the highest
position held by any woman in the public
schools of the United States.
She came instead to Brooklyn, and has
been forced to ask herself whether she,
rather than the other Buffalo woman, Mrs
Ella F1agg Young. might not now be City
Superintendent of Schools in Chicago, if
she had chosen the Western city.
Mrs. Young has done Weu'' said Miss
Strachan; 'she has done very well. in fact
l am not now a candidate for a similar
place IN New York. l feel that I could
fill such a position and Of course, I should
dearly love TO be City Superintendent of
Schools. When equal pay has been
achieved she said "then''-
''Then?" echo answered
Then will be time enough to see
whether, by resignation or otherwise the
place is ready for a woman"