Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-31
Commissioners Have Decided
to Ask Congress for Higher
Minimum Salary.
$500 ANNUALLY is PAY
TO BE SOUGHT FOR THEM
Request Is Incorporated in Million.
Dollar Deficiency Bill-0ther
D. C. Needs.

Confronted by the possibility Of
having to close some of the lower
grades OF the Districts schools be-
cause OF difficulty in obtaining
teachers to replace those who have
accepted positions with the gov
ernment at higher salaries, the
District Commissioners have de-
cided to go to Congress with an
urgent deficiency estimate of ap-
proximately 100000 with which
to raise Immediately the minimum
pay of all teachers from 5000 to
$500 per annum, and also increase
the wages of janitors and laborers.
This is but one item in the largest de-
ficiency appropriation that will havo
ever been recommended by District
Commissioners. The total, it is under.
stood, will be in the neighborhood Of
s1.ooo.00o. This is an increase of about
urgent deficiency estimate
While no intimation has been given
by the Commissioners Of what is in
corporated in the estimates, and the
items will not be made public until they
reach Congress, which probably viii be
this week. it is learned through author
itative sources that the Commissioners
have made recommendations which are
considered absolutely necessary to the
nf Fir anf v1,o init - 8 ~
Schools Lose 1876 Teachers.
Since September / the schools have
lost 125 teachers. They have lost two
thirds of their laborers and more than
two-thirds of their tanitors. They have
found it practically impossible to fiji
these vacancies at the salaries now OBJ
tanning.
made their minimum pay more than
$500. or $3.50, with the 10 per cent fn-
crease allowed by Congress. As thu
teachers who have como into them get
nothing for longevity. the majority Of
the lower grade Instructors now re-
ceive less than they did in September.
The schools are finding II more dim
cult every day to keep teachers at
$500. when they can obtain government
positions at salaries ranging from ?
5000 to $l.400. The increase sought will.
make possible the placing OF lower
grade teachers in the upper grades, in
which the minimum basic salary Is
$500. If it is allowed by Congress it
will take effect as OF January 1.
In view of the fact that the govern
ment itself is responsible for the short
age of teachers. school officials do not
believe that Congress will regard as
unreasona BILE the request for an in
crease in the minimum pay In order
that the schools may be supplied with
efficient teachers.
Quit in Large Numbers.
Pay of laborers in the schools ranges
from SIS to $40 q month and Of Janitors
from $65 to $40. These employees have
quit in large numbers to accept work
at the more lucrative prices caused by
the war. Unless Congress provides for
an increase in the wages OF such eri-
sulting from the wholesale resigna-
tions is expected to become steadily
worse.
hard by the war, and a big slice OF the
urgent deficiency estimate 10 to enable
food and other supplies. It is under
stood that approximately 100000 ad-
ditional will be required for the main
tenance of patients at the Government
Hospital for the Insane which recently
put an increased rate into effect. and
this deficiency the Commissioners are
said to have provided for.
Water department finances also show
q considerable deficiency requirement
as result of extensions to government
buildings and other expenses due to
the war, ii is understood.
The deficiency budget has been sent
to the Secretary OF the Treasury. by
whom it will be submitted to Congress.