Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-05
DISTRICT TEACHERS
DRAW LOWESTP PAY
Average Here Below That in
Cities of Similar Size-Less
Than Skilled Labor.
FACTS SHOWN IN BRIEF

Teachers of the elementary public
schools of the District of Columbia to-
today completed their brief showing
A general brief arguing for an increase
in the salaries of all teachers and
other school employees was completed
few days ago. In addition to this
general argument, each group Of en-
ployes is to draw a brief dealing with
it's specific case. That completed by
the elementary teachers today is the
first of these to be presented.
Points included in the brief show
that elementary teachers in Washing
ton receive less than the salaries paid
in numerous other cities of approx
mately the same size as Washington,
and that their salaries are less than
those paid in many of the trades.
Brief of Grade Teachers.
Following is the brief as drawn and
presented by the committee. for the
Grade Teachers Associations:
q. Elementary teachers comprise the
largest group in the teaching body.
The elementary teachers comprise
about 60 per cent of the teaching force
in the school system of Washington,
"
a large degree, commensurate with
their numbers. To them with the ex-
ception of kindergarten teachers) are
intrusted the first eight years of a
childS school life, the most formative
and impressionable of all the years.
These teachers have a tremendous re-
sponsibility in maintaining those stand
ards which lay the foundation of the
child's future efficiency, and they should
be recognized therefore as a vital part
of the school system. Teachers can not
give satisfactory service without being
themselves efficient, the latter depend
ing not only on proper training but on
environment which maintains high
ideals.
Total number of teachers, 1885, Ele-
mentary teachers, 1,09S.
%. Elementary teachers are paid in
adequate wages.
1.-The elementary teachers receive the
lowest salaries, with the exception of
the kindergarten assistants.
The minimum salary is $500. The
maximum salary is $3.50. The average
salary is S79S. Five hundred and forty
two elementary teachers receive $3.50 or
less.
1T takes the average elementary
teacher from twenty to thirty years of
teaching to reach the maximum salary.
Compared to Workmen's Pay.
"3. A comparison of the salary of an
elementary teacher with salaries of
workmen in Washington. D. c. Ele-
mentary teachers receive less than
many trade workers. Average daily
salaries:
Teacher, s2.67; bricklayer. s5.2s; car
penter. $40; plumber, $3.50; plasterer,
IS.
~ Minimum expenditures of an ele-
mentary teacher in Washington, d. C.
Teachers are expected to live on a
much better scale than other workers
on similar wages and the living stand
ard for teachers is constantly rising.
Bulletin 81, 1915, bureau of education.
Average salary, S79S; living expenses
Groom, board, laundry, carfare), $3.50:
clothes, 5000; self-improvement (books,
lectures, summer SCHOOL,, $50. Total,
$500.
This allows for no emergencies (doc-
tors insurance, savings). Three-fourths
of the elementary teachers have others
dependent on them.
IS. Comparison of the average salary
paid to the elementary teacher in other
cities.
"Cities of the approximate size of