Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-01
Thirty Days Hath February

One of the school officials, in discussing
the amazing announcement issued by the
secretary of the board Of education to the
effect that in making up the pay rolls the
month of February would be constructive
ly considered as containing thirty days,
has stated that the order was not drawn
as a matter of decision, but as warning
to the teachers of what might happen to
them in case any Of them were absent on
the last day of the month, and, the ques
ton being raised, what might be the rul-
ings Of the accounting officers of the Dis
trict and the Treasury. 1t would seem
that this warning was given an uncon-
scionably short time before the 2Sth Of
February. 1t was virtually no warning
at all. Yet it might have been given
days before, if intended to put the teach
ers on their guard. 1t will require more
explanation than has been given to sat
isfy the public and the teachers that there
is any necessity whatever for SO non
sensical a construction Of the law, or in
any case SO tardy a hint to the teachers
that all who were absent the 2Sth would
lose not merely one but three days pay.
1t is just such technicalities and whim
sicalities as this that bring the law into
disrepute with a certain class of citizens.
Who can have regard for the dignity of
the statutes when their construction and
application lead to such preposterous, pu-
Grille, farcical proclamations? What busi-
ness man would submit to the payment
of a ninety-day note two days in advance
because some one has constructively re-
garded February as containing thirty
days? The teachers are paid by the month.
not by the day. They are paid the. same
for month of twenty-eight days as for
a monta of thirty-one days. AS long as
the calendar remains irregular. as at
present. no other rule is possible in doing
out compensations to those who receive
their pay monthly.
The teachers would be perfectly justi-
fled, save that they have no power and
Sense Of humor will not pay rent and
grocery bills. in insisting upon the equita-
BILE application Of this thirty-day rule to
all months Why should they not stay
home the 31st OF March. for an instance.
and hold the paymaster to full return
Of salary for the entire month: II Febru-
airy has thirty days, so has March. If
teacher can be locked for three days alb
sence when she has only been away from
school one day, why should she not be
up the month Of February without alb
sence?
All such reductions to absurdity may be
beside the mark IL the controller OF the
Treasury ultimately rules that the antci
pations OF the secretary Of the board of
education are justifiable. There is no APP
peal from his decision. But perhaps this
belated warning may have a good eff
feet. Maybe it will direct the attention
OF the controller in season to the danger
Of squirting too narrowly at the techni-
calities Of the statutes. Perhaps If test
case ever arises and goes to him the real
humor of the situation may have modi
fed his view of the law and lead to a de
cision based upon common sense and the
principles of business, such decision as
he has often rendered In the past along
other lines of governmental finance.