The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-02
Request Made After
Looking Into Question
Of Teachers Pay.
HIGHER SALARIES
ARE ALSO URGED
No Charge Of Dishonesty, but
Committee Feels That Expen-
sive Frills Should Be Cut
Out-Hutzler and Hirsch-
berg Exchange Warm
Words in Meeting.

General Investigation Of tho pubic
schools OF Richmond by n special com
mittee OF the CITY Council WAS recon.
menucd last night by the Council
Committee on Ordinance. Charter and
REFORM A subcommittee, which has
been inquiring INTO the adyisabilIty Of
increasing the pay OF women teachers
In the elementary white Eraaes, be-
sides reporting u schedule of increase,
reported that from the partial inquiry
1t had been able TO make. some teach
ers and supervisors were paid mucn In
excess OF the value OF the services
rendered: that the curriculum OF the
elementary grades Is not what IL
should be. and should be Improved
by the substitution of more practi-
cal and efficient course OF training
for those now in vogue; that there ap-
pears TO be serious lack of harmony
between thv teachers on one hand and
tho principals and superintendent on
the other. demoralizing and decreasing
the efficiency OF the schools, and that
the city achools arc by state enact
ment controlled by tho State Board OF
Education In matters w-ich should
moro properly b under the charge
of the City school Board.
General Investigation.
The appointment OF special COM
mittec of four Counciimen and three
Aldermen was therefore rccommen ded
to institute thorough investigation
OF the entire system and report with
proper ordinances and resolutions to
the City Council.
Tho action was not taken until after
prolonged and at times spicy debate,
charges OF discoLrtesy being made by
Dir. Hutzler. Of tho School Board,
against Mr.. Hirnchbers. OF the com
n,ittce. and answered by Mr.. Hlrsch-
berg In manner satisfactory 10 the
committee. There were other sharp
passages III the presence OF n Council
chamber filled with women teachers
Interested In the salary increase.
MIR. Gunst protested against the
structures being made on the conduct
OF the schools when members of the
School Board were not present. and
Ncssrs. Hutzler and Ebel were sum
moned. sir. Pollock. chairman OF the
subcommittee. described Mr.. Gunst's
address as paving the air and cut
tinE the wind"
Proposed Pay of Teachers.
Tho committee recommended to the
Council the adoption OF the following
resolution as to the pay of the teach
ers. the increase entailing an annual
cost to the city Of between $4,000 and
$4,000. as against the Increase Of $751;.
600 asked by the teachers OF this
grade:
Be 1t resolved by the Council OF the
city OF Richmond (the Board OF AL
dermen concurring):
That the Committee on Finance Dc
and they are hereby. instructed In the
next annual budget to provide for the
payment OF the white teachers In the
elementary grades OF the public schools
OF the city OF Richmond as follows;
First year teachers. at the rate of
sie per month for nine months.
Second year teachers, at the rate OF
S64 per month for nine months
Third year teachers. at the rate OF
$3.50 per month for nine months.
Fourth year teachers. at the rte If
S71.5O per month for nine montns
Fifth year teachers, at til. rate II
$50 per month for nine months.
Sixth year teachers. at the rate Of
500 per month for nine months.
Resolution for Investigation.
The following resolution. recon-
mcnding an investigation of the pub
lie schools, was unanimously recon-
mcndsd for adoption:
Whereas the Committee on Ordi-
nance. Charter and Reform have re-
ported to this body from a partial in
vestigation made by them through
subcommittee that they find that
number of teachers and Supervisors
of the public schools of the city are
being paid much In excess OF wh.;
they should be for the services ron
dered; and
Whereas, 1t has also been reported
by said committee that 1t seems that
the curriculum In tho elementary
grades of the public schools is not
what It should be. and could be great
ly bettercd and improved by the sub
stitutlon OF more practical AMI .ff-
cIent course of training in the cla,n,1,-
tary grades than those now III vogue:
and
Whereas. it has also been reported
that there seems to be a serious lack
of harmony and cooperation between
the teachers, on the one hand. and the
principals and superintendents. on the
other hand, which has Il tendency to
5demoralize and greatly decrease the
efficiency of the public school system
of the city, and
Whereas, a major portion OF the ex-
Epense OF the maintenance OF public
nished by the municipality though the
schools are practically controlled by
the State Board OF Education In mat
tiers OF the greatest moment, some of
which, al least. could with proprlety
he relegated to the City School Board:
now. therefore. be 1t s.
Resolved by the Council OF the city
Richmond, the Board OF Aldermen
sconcurring. That special committee
5 of seven. to consist of four members
from the Common Council and three
from the Board OF Aldermen to be APP
s,S55t (Conttnucd ON Seyenth paro.I 80