Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-24
Augusta Member Plans RenOdelIing
State OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Asking
Supreme Court Opinion Referred
Are Congratulating Spencer.
Coal Investigation Scope Planned Increase for
School Superintendent Salary.
suPERlNTENDENT's SALARY.

Leading educators from al sections
of Maine were present this afternoon,
i before the committee on education in
! favor of the act to increase the sal
airy of the State superintendent OF
common schools from $500 to $4,000
per annum.
The hearing was conducted by Hon.
Oliver B. Clason of Gardiner, one OF
the trustees of normal schools.
"All the educators of Maine are in
terested in this resolve" said Mr., Cla-
son. 1T is known fact that the sal
airy of the Maine superintendent of
schools is ridieulously small in COM
parison TO the salaries paid to super
intendents in other states. Two boys
living in my city, who are hardly out
of college, each receive the same pay
as the superintendent Of the schools
of Maine as High school principals,
one in Montana and the other in Mass
aehusetts. The state of Maine should
command a nan able to earn the sal
airy asked for in this resolve. We have
that man at the present time and we
should do all in our power to keep
him here with US"
Questioned by Senator Murphy of
the committee, Mr.. Clason said that
he had been q member of the Gardi-
ner school board for over 30 years and
had been a member OF the board of
trustees of normal schools for IA
Years. He had come in contact on
many occasions with Supt. Smith and
believed that he was an able and
ompetent official.
Mr. Clason introduced President
VILLAIN Dewitt Hyde of Bowdoin
'ollege as the next speaker. Pres
lent Hyde was received with APP
lause. He said that he considered it
honor to be invited here to speak
( the good qualities of Supt Smith.
THE office of State superintendent
schools is one of the most impor
mt in the State said President
iyde. we could better lose pres
lent of one of our colleges than los
upt. Smith. who knows what the
tate of Maine ought to have in the
me of education. When the State Of
iaine has a Good man 1t cannot af-
ord to let him go. People look up
18th confidence and admiration to our
resent superintendent. He is the
est man we ever had and we want to
lold him. If Mr. Smith does leave US
/ ge want to get a man Of his calibeT
take his place.
Prof w. b. Anderson of Westbrook,
resident of the Maine Teachers AS
citation and principal of the West
/ rock High school, said that the SUI
erintendents of schools in other New
| ngland states receive mere pay than
l ne Maine superintendent. and he
| bought that more salary should be
iven to Mr.. Smith or whoever hap
ems to be the superintendent of this
l itate.
d. II. Perkins, superintendent of
schools of Portland, made rafting
| speech in favor of the increase in sal
l ry.
| This is one of the most important
iatters which will be brought to the
attention of the Legislature at this
ession" said Mr.. Perkins. Il think
hat you have been convinced that the
resent superintendent has made an
xcellent official / am personally
ware of the fact that within the past
wo years, Mr.. Smith has received
ieveral offers in this and in other
states with a larger salary. IL was
My short time ago that Supt.
smith was offered a position in Mas
achusetts with salary twice as
arge as he is now receiving. The ed
ucational forces of the State are to
man behind Mr., Smith, as they have
he utmost confidence in him. And
he business men of the State have
confidence in him. He is Thoroughly
onversant with educational matters
Maine and throughout the land. AT
meeting of the Portland school board
light members were present and ali
| f them thought that the proposed IN
crease was right and just under all
he circumstances"
D. j. Callahan, superintendent OF
rhools for the city of Lewiston, SAID
that he had known Mr. smith as SUI
perintendent OF schools at Auburn
md as State superintendent and knew
hat he was the right man in the right
lace. If Mr.. Smith fills the bill he
should have adequate compensation
or his services. He is on peer with
superintendent who receives $1,000,
5000 or even $4,000 year. The
tate of Maine has indeed beeu for
innate to have man like Payson
NTH as the head of its school sys-
tenn.
Prof. A. F. Richardson. principal Of
CONTINUED on Page Nine.)