The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-12-26
Makes a Number Of Splendid
Recommendations TO
the Legislature.

CHARLESTON. Dec 21-The rec
concentrations OF the state 'superin-
tendent of schools to the forthcom-
ing session OF the legislature are In
keeping with the rapid progress
made in the school system of the
state. Mr.. shawkey goes further
in his recommendations, however,
than ne has in any previous biennial
reports He believes that greater eff
iciency 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
devolving upon that official.
The first recommendation in the
report is that the minimum salary
for teachers be increased. At pres
ent they are $40, 35, and $50 re-
spectively for the three grades. He
thinks that by increasing the salary
of the first aad second grade more
teachers holding those grades would
remain in the service. At present
about 10000 teachers are employed
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.
I'VE expect from a teacher
grade OF service comparing with
that OF lawyers, doctors, ministers.
engineers and other professional
men but We pay them less than the
average wages received by clerks
stenographers, bookkeepers or even
railroad brakemen, city dir0nen, po-
licemen or ianitors," says Mr.. Shaw
key. .For the sake of the schools
as well as tho teachers, the salaries
for second and first grade certificates
should he materially increased"
An ENDOWMENT Fund.
Under this subject Mr.. shawkey
makes a strong plea for progressive
legislation, and cites a number Of
states in sustaining his position.
Texas has permanent school fund
of over twenty million dollars. Min
nesota is still richer in school fund
endowment.
In my former report 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 a
preper 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
taxation. Even at this late day the
matter should be carefully consld-
cred and IL possible some just and
equitable provision should be made
that the state might share in some
degree 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, oui
abundant water power has just be.
gun to develop. West Virginia i:
particularly favored in the large
number of rapidly flowing mountain
streams within her borders.
A very small royalty on the power
thus produced in this state, II pu'
into permanent fund for main
tanning schools and building goot
roads, will do more to insure the
future than anything that can be
done at this time"
Health Regulation.
School house architecture, venti
lation. drainage and out-buildingi
play an important part in the health
OF the citizens of the state, contends
the superintendent. The medical IN
spection law enacted two years agc
is said to have already done grea
deal OF good. He urges the passage
OF law abolishing the common
drinking cup, aad another to provide
more definite architectural stand
ards in school buildings.
Non-Patisan boards of EducntPon
The public schools s>ouid be FREE
from political influences. Mr.Shaw
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