The Detroit times., 1911-02-13
CLARENCE A. BLACK
URGES BOOST IN
TEACHERS PAY
Especially Favors Increase for In
structors in Lower Grades-"Sal-
walton Of Country Lies in Public
Schools" He Says.
J. L. Hudson Says Detroit Salaries
Must Be Made Equal To Those
Paid In Other Cities.

The Detroit public schc oil teachers
will not want for supporters in their
fight. this spring. for increased sal
aries. In addition to the splendid aid
that Is being given by the women's
clubs OF the city. many of Detroit's
heaviest taxpayers, the men most
deeply concerned from a financial
standpoint. are strongly in favor OF
granting the teachers requests. real
izing. as they do. the great import
ance or the schools with regard to
future citizenship.
So, while Estimator Barnett and
others are crying out for economy in
the public schools and for almost un-
restricted allowances for fire and po-
lice protection, the men who pay the
freight" and whose opinions should
carry the most weight, are rallying to
the defense of the teachers.
~ cannot find words strong enough
to express my feelings on this mat
ter" said Clarence A. Black, one OF
the city's largest taxpayers and q
thoroughly public-spirited citizen.
There can be no question but that
our teachers are entitled to more pay.
II should not be lost sight of that in
the public school lies the salvation OF
our country.
II am especially in favor of increas-
ing the pay OF the teachers In the
lower grades. II any increases are to
be granted, those teachers should re-
ceive more, In proportion. than the
teachers In the higher grades, for We
should make the salaries large enough
to attract the very best teaching tai
ent available for the primary rooms.
Everything depends on the start a
child receives. II the foundation be
weak, the superstructure is bound to
fall. To give the children-our fu-
ture citizens--the proper foundation.
II Is necessary TO employ competent
teachers, and to secure the best tai
'eut-~and DetrO1t< t<sheald employ only
the best--it IL necessary to offer at
tractive salaries.
Il sincerely hope that the board OF
estimates and the common council
will see their way clear to do some
thing for the teachers this year.
believe all the teachers should be
given increases, but those In the lower
grades are deserving OF consideration
first of ALL"
Ii is claimed that the salaries OF
Detroit teachers are lower than In
many other cities Of the same class.
Statistics showing some interesting
comparisons are now being gathered
by the local teachers association. and
will be used in the campaign before
the board of estimates and the COM
mon council.
Our teachers certainly should be
az well paid as the teachers In the
Buffalo, Cleveland and Toledo
schools" said j. l.. Hudson. Monday.
81 have no data In this connection.
but II our teachers are receiving any
less than is paid In those cities, their
salaries should be raised by all
means"
Mr.. Hudson has taken such an In
terest in the matter that he has asked
Anthony Pratt. secretary of the NUM-
cipal league. to get information as to
the status OF Detroit teachers as COM
pared with conditions elsewhere. IL
he finds they are underpaid, he plans
to use his influence toward securing
for them what they are entitled to.