The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-12

their petition of year ago for their arguments along this line. They point out that nothing Is more wear. ing to the teacher than constant rope. tition necessary to form habits of the little folks.
 Yet it Is here,' reads the petition ''in these very grades where a mass Of habits fundamental to all schoo life must be laid that we find the low est maximum salary paid to teachers This we believe to be lack of ap- preciation of the great work these teachers have to do. and the result ing expression of it in the lowest max imum a consequent injustice to them.''
 It is also pointed out that the work of Grades 2 and with maximum sal ary of $500 and $850 respectively is es- sentially the same. The teachers must be able to review iTteiligently and skillfully the work which the pu- pills must be held responsible for, And because the difficult work of lay ing the foundations has already been done, why should this grade receive more than; any of the other grades2 "T The petitioners claim that Teachers of 10 or more years Of expef1ence-s
 l. Are to be found in every grade. because they have become settled there.
 ?. Are needed in-every grade in or der to maintain the standards of work and cannot be dispensed with in any grade.
 g. Are important factors in giving stability. to. the school corps. 4. Are in fact small percentage of those really entering upon the work of teaching and are devoting their lives to the work of the schools.
 5. Have equavilent but diverse diff faculties. ;
 6. Have practically the same amour, of work.
 .. Have practically the same prep. aration for their work.
 Consequently they maintain that one maximum would be the greatest jus |tfce to all these teachers; would re- move discrimination;s and would re- act eventually to the greater welfare of the schools.
 The teachers claim to be supported in their belief that one is the truest justice to all by the action taken by 31 other cities; and by the great va riety of opinion in the cities where more than one maximum prevails as to what grades are of equal dif1- culty.
 Then the teachers advocate ss0o as the maximum on the following grounds: &z
 1 It is a just compensation for the prolonged period of preparation and the additional ten years experience.
 2 It .favorabiy compares with the salaries of teachers in other cities.
 It would favorably compare with the salaries of women in other pro- fessions and employmepts, such as bookkeepers, post office employees managers in department stores,. train. ed nurses.
 The petition coming from the Teach ers' association represents practically the entire teaching corps of the ele. mental grade schools There are about two dozen who have not joined the new movement. The present mem bership is in the neighborhood of 26O
 The petition will be taken from the table at the next meeting of the board of education. One member of the board who said he was not authorized to speak for any but himself, said to- day that in view of the consideration given the petition of last year, and the decision of the board upon the varying maxfmums as being suited to the interests of Bridgeport, he felt sure the board would not rescind it's forrier action.
 Meantime the teachers Association has prepared a campaign to bring the logic of tbeir claims forcibly to the attention sf the members, by the widespread dissemination of literature on the subject of the maximum sal ary, and in other ways to keep the general public in touch with their claims.