Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-06
TEACHERS TO STRIKE
IF DEMAND ISN'T MET
Radical Action Openly Planned
to Obtain Better Salaries
for Instructors

officers Of school teachers organizations
aid today that strike Of the public
,cbooI teachers of this city within the near
future is assured unless the Board OF Edu-
cation grants substantial increase In
salaries.
The Board Of Education is close to bank
ruptoy and cannot meet the teachers do
roands. according to Edwin Wolf, chairman
~ the finance committee Of the board
For many weeks past vague rumors have
been afioat that strike would be called.
These rumors were vehemently denied by
the teachers Now. however, they have
erystallized into definite plan of action
and the teachers have come out into the
open. following the conference held last Fri
day with the finance committee
The teachers grievances were frankly
expressed at this meeting. The committee
was equally frank in pointing out that they
could not meet the demands for an increase
of approximately million dollars in sal
aries II was explained that with the tax
rate raised to the legal limit of six mills
there would be only $4,000 to meet these
demands and to finance new activities OF
The board in 1918. No provision has been
made for new buildings.
On Saturday last q meeting Of the
Crademens Association was held In the
Schoolmen's Club. on Saturday, November
II. a second meeting will be held. II the
board takes action on the teachers de-
mands, 1t will be at the meeting on Tues
day, November 13.
II a substantial increase in salary Is not
granted at this meeting arrangements will
be made by the Grademen's Association for
a monster mass-meetng at which plans for
nd OF or wi taken
according to Harry s. Levi, editor OF tho
orademen's Journal.
Demands for such course were in
sistent at the grademen's gathering last
Saturday. The denunciation of the treat
ment accorded the teachers reached such
a point that It was necessary to adjourn the
meeting before the discussion was ended
THE time for pleading for living wage
for teachers is over" Mr.. Levi said THE
forceful exposition OF the needs Of instruc-
ton must be answered by well-earned
and deserved return for each teacher. We
DO not ask for temporary relief
I'VE do not attempt to point out to the
board how to finance this increase in sal
ary. However. we can not seee why the
board should pay enormous increases In
improvements supplies, etc. without a word
and at the same time expect the main
-sinews Of the system, the men and women
teachers, stand aside in a contented way,
living wage.
"It is we'll known that under most ia
vorable circumstances teachers are badly
underpaid. Perhaps they have not right
to expect enough to live on. However, q
decrease in attendance at the School OF
Pedagogy might indicate that the profession
is about to suffer from dearth OF teachers.
-Four thousand of our teachers, besides
teaching, are expected to be musicians,
choral leaders, athletic coaches, school pa
per editors, printers, entertainment pro-
viders, community workers and door-to-door
canvassers They are required to do all
this at less than the pay Of a day laborer
at Hog Island.
What is the thought back OF the idea
that the teachers will be loyal? The In
dividuaF members of the board have them
selves said that the teachers should have
a rise. The time has come when 1t Is
impossible for teachers to live. Can any
one expect the teachers loyalty to extend
to starvation? Loyalty Of this kind Is I'M
possible"
The answer made by the members of
the board to this position Of the teachers
M:
They fan to appreciate the situation we
are in. We have not the funds to grant
larger wages II We were an Industrial
concern we would have failed before now,
but the schools must be kept open. The
legislature cannot raise the legal limit Of
school taxation until 1920"
Superintendent John p. CARRIER, in COM
menting upon the budget for 1918, said
that all items had been figured at the low
est possible amount. He further stated
that less than the normal increase would
be shown IN many items The teachers
want to know why this rule of economy
was not Instituted years ago. They point
ont that they are now paying for the past
axtravagance of the board.
Many teachers have been demanding that
high-salaried business manager be en-
ployed by the board They want a man
with large vision who can prevent extrav-
Agance. THE educational side OF the school
system should be supreme" they say, 'but
ne physical side is just as real. There is
no man of large bushes experience and OF
large vision connected with the board. No
wonder II Ia on the verge of bankruptcy,
what concern would not be7"