Evening journal., 1913-07-24
RY CARLTON TEN EYCk.
written for the United Press)

NEW YORK, July 24-Does mar
riage and motherhood interfere with
woman's efficiency as public school
teacher? That is the question now
agitatine the New York Board Of Edu-
cation and many civic bodies through
out the Greater City have taken the
problem I'D. The question has be-
come such burning issue that the
ether day $50 men aud women, teach
ers. lawyers. writer's and actresses,
formed themselves into League FOR
the Civic Service of Women. which
will in the fall begin an active cam
paign in the interests Of married wo-
men teachers.
The argument started when Mrs.
Katherine c. Edgell member of the
Erasmus High School faculty, formal
lIy applied TO the Board of Education
1 for a years leave of absence without
pay for the purpoce of bearing and
lrearing child. The board after
considerable debate and delibcraiion
refused Mrs. Edgell's request.
The newspapers and periodicals got
hold Of the story and gave il much
space. arousing discussion throughout
ltho city. Fuel was added to The
flame when Mrs. Bridget G. PeiXotto
"a Bronx teacher. was suspended in.
definitely for staying away from
school to give birth to baby.
Twenty married teachers attended
1.-THE meeting at the Hotel Astor. where
tho League for the Civic Service o.
women was launched and the move
lment was indorsed by the New Norl
lNofhers' Club and the Womei
LAWYERS Club. For many years ther'
have been married women employed
lin the public schools of New York, an'
from time to time they have dropped
lout on sick leave and have become
mothers. The question never became
Ia public one until Mrs. Edgell mad'
formal application 10 the board TO
Ia wears leave of absence. giving al
her reason her wish 10 become
mother. Members Of the board VIII
lopposed Mrs. Edgel's request for
motherhood vacation. defend their &C
ton by SAYING that they do not ap
prove of married women as teachers
They have no objection 10 babies the
saw. but they think that matrimon
lowers the efficiency Of women n
. teachers. When they have home AM
husband and children, IL was argued
tho teachers cannot give their undi
vided attention to their pupils an
their school duties.
As an additional argument. the,
: point out that the home is the plac
for the married woman and that sh
, has no business out in the worll
working when she has a husband I
care for her. Also. they say. il
selfish for q married woman to hol
on 10 teachers job when there ar
r so many single and dependent wome
!. who are forced TO support themselve
p and Who would make capable schoC
e teachers.
Those who have taken up. the cud
gel for Mrs. Edgell and the other maj
4 lried teachers. say that the attitude {
the Board of Education Is inimics
Ito society and encouraging 10. rae
lsuicide. They also declare that mai
lried women naturally make the hes
!. teachers, since by their fuller eXper
{ lence in life they are better fitted
I teach young girls or boys and trai
them for normal. happy lives.
u Tango enthusiasts are putting up
q new argument for the permanence
d the craze. The argument is goin
" the rounds Of the hotel ball room
y restaurants and by-the-sea dancin
, pavilions. And. of course. il is a
IS ways a charming debutante or d