The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-12-21
Makes a Number Of Splendid
Recommendations TO
~ the Legislature.


ing session Of the legislature are in
keeping with the rapid progress
made in the school system OF the
state. Mr.. Shawa1ey goes further
In his recommendations, however,
than he has in any previous biennial
reports He believes that greater eff
fciency is possible if the Office OF
state superintendent Of schools was
an appointiye rather than an cleo
tive Office. And at the same time
Mr.. Shawkey suggests that the state
superintendent OF schools should be
relieved as member OF the state
board OF public works in view OF the
large number of important duties
deyolving upon that Official
The first recommendation in the
report is that the minimum salary
for. teachers be increased At pres
ent they are $40. 50, and $50 re-
spectively for the three grades he
thinks that by increasing the salary
OF the first and second grade more
teachers holding those grades would
remain in the service. At present
about 10000 teachers are employe"
in the state. OF this number one
fourth retire each year. causing at
least . 500 new teachers to enter the
school room every school year That
the Increase in the salary of the
teacher has greatly assisted in keep
ing experienced teachers in the
school room is attested by the state
superintendent.
1--WE expect from teacher
grade of service comparing with
that OF lawyers, doctors, ministers.
eDqtaeers and other professional
men but we pay them less than the
average wages received by clerks |
stenographers, bookkeepers or even
railroad brakemen, city irNnen, po-
licemen or janitors," says Mr.. snaw-
KEY sFor the sake OF the schools
as wei as the teachers, the salaries
for second and first grade certificates
should be materially increased"
An Endowment Fund.
Under this subject Mr.. Shawkey
makes a strong plea for progressive
legislation. and cites a 0umber OF
states in sustaining his position
Texas has a permanent school fund
of over twenty million dollars. Min
nesota is still richer in school fund
endowment.
In my former report I called at /,
tention to the proposition for pro-
duction tax on gas, the major part
Of the proceeds of which should be
devoted to our schools. If the
state had asserted its title to
proper share of the gas, oil and
coal of this state forty years ago. it,
would now have abundance of reve-
nues for building good roads and
for schools and for other govern
mental purposes without any direct
4axation. Even at this late day the
matter should be carefully consid-
cred and if possible some Just and
equitable provision should be made
that the state might share in some
decree the great mineral resources
with which it has been so richly en-
dowed.
while the minerals to which
have referred have passed into pri-
vate ownership and are rapidly be-
ing exploited and exhausted, our
abundant water power has just be-
qun to develop. West Virginia IS
PARTICULARLY favored in the large
number of rapidly flowing mountain
s+reayns within her borders.
very small royalty on the power
Tins produced in this state, if put
into a permanent fund for main
tanning schools and building good
roads. will do more to insure the
Asuture than anything that can be
done at this time"
- Health Regulation
school house architecture, venti-
1ation drainage and out-buildings
play an important part in the heath
Of the citizens az the state. contends
the srperintendent The medical in
spectIon law enacted two years ago
is said to have already done a great
deal Of good. He urges the passage
of law abolishing the common
drinking cup. a7d another to provide
more definite architectural stand
ards IN school buildings.
Non-FnzlEtisan boards of Education.
The public schools s&6u1d be free
from political influences. Mr.Shaw-