New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-29
Charge Them with Quit
ting Fight on Cromwell
Bill at Albany.
SAY 1T MEANS
CUT IN SALARIES
Measure to Let Estimate Board
Fix Pay Attacked as Civil
Service Blow.

Women teachers OF this city last
night charged the men teachers with
treschery as the result of the newest
development to defeat the Cromwell
bill, which has been reported out OF
committee in the Senate. It gives the
Board of Estimate power to fix the
salaries of teachers and other school
officials.
Women teachers were enraged at the
report of the mems desertion from the
cause. as only last week organizations
of men and women teachers pledged
themselves to fight the bill and selected
a delegation which WAS to so to Albany
Tuesday 10 protest against it.
1t was said yesterday by leaders
among the women teachers that the
bill has behind it an attempt to reduce
the salaries Of women teachers but
rot those Of men. and shat the latter
had abandoned opposition TO the
measure.
The women will, however, fight the
bill to a finish If il passes the Legis-
lature. and will appeal to the Governor
to veto il.
A petition was circulated in the
churches by many Of the teachers or
CARNATIONS Of this city. II reads:
I'VE, as teachers and citizens, pro
test against the Cromwell bill, No.
lii, as amended No. 1,414, because
we have reason from past experience
TO fear any legislation that will leave
the schools to the mercy of local po-
litical factions and changes. Keep the
local schools out Of local politics. That
is our sincerest wish for the schools.
1.-THE state is the legal guardian Of
the education Of its citizens, according
10 the fundamental law"
Why They Oppose Bill.
The teachers object 20 the bill on
three grounds. They say it Will re
move that civil service protection OF
the state which teachers have been
enjoying for many years. They also
condemn the bill, on the ground that
it will give the Board Of Estimate
power to reduce salaries whenever ca
price or need should dictate, thus
working hardships on individual teach
bill the Board Of Estimate will have
the power 10 remove teachers on n
Wholesale scale. thus working further
hardships on them.
1T seems TO me the Board Of Est.
mate has enough 10 do at present with
out interfering in the civil service
rights OF teachers said Miss Dennis.
Of the mathematics department Of
Wadlcigh High School, at her home, az
MoninGside Drive and 1l7th Street.
yesterday. "The present system Of
compensating teachers has been built
up with elaboration and much time.
1t is the result Of steady growth
and study. This bill, If passed and be-
comes law, Will further cripple the
public school system. II is entirely
unjust and tho teachers certainly Will
protest very strenuously.'
Educators Fight Measure.
Among the many associations that
condemn the Cromwell bill is the Pub
lie Education Association. Of which II.
" Nudd ~ director. In a letter 10
Thomas W Churchill, president Of the
Board OF Education, Director Nudd
writes that the association will take
active steps TO help defeat this meas
urc ana VIII gladly cooperate with the
BOARD Of Education in any way posi-
bic 10 this end.
Miss Grace Strachan. president OF
the Interborough Association; Edward
Nandel, president of the Association Of
Men Teachers and Principals, and Mag
nus Gross, president Of the New York
Teachers Association, called a mass
meeting Of teachers last Friday, at
which it was decided to send delega-
/ tion to Albany to plead against the bill.
/ The Brooklyn Teachers Association
also arranged to be represented at the
hearing on Thursday. At its meeting
last week the High School Teachers
Association empowered the president
and two other members Of the associa-
tion to appear before the Cities Com
mittee Of the Assembly on Thursday in
opposition to the measure.
President Churchill said he was GER
tain the Board of Education intended
TO go on record against the bill unless
it was amended to give the board the
power it now possesses 10 increase but
not to decrease salaries. He said the
Board Of Education would fight to
maintain the present system of pay
mcnt for teachers.