Evening star., 1918-04-30
CALL Low PAY RATE
MENACE. TO SCHOOLS
Washington Teachers Unite
in Plea for a Minimum Sal
ary Of $1,000.
BACKED BY CIVIC BODIES

BACKED BY CIVIC BODIES
A feeling of disappointment among
school officials and persons interested
in increase in teachers salaries in the
public schools here has resulted since
the action of the House subcommittee
last week in placing the minimum sal
ary of Washington school teachers at
$3.50. The feeling prevails in school
circles, from the executive heads to
the teachers. that the proposed mini
mum is too low and that no increase in
the minimum should have been made to
a scale less than $1,000.
Concerted agitation for the proposed
minimum of $1.a00 has been begun.
Backed by the opinion of the school
copmittees of the Washington Board OF
Trade and the Chamber Of Commerce.
the teachers ard school of1cials feel
that they are embarked in a cause
which means the life or death of the
Washington school system. and that
this city should be r guiding light to
the rest of the country in the nation
wide agitation for increased salaries
for school teachers.
Regarded as positive Menace"
"A positive menace to the future of the
Washington school system" is the way
the minimum of $3.50 is characterized by
Miss NJ. E. Alton Of the E. v. Brown
School, who appeared in the interests of
the school before the House District COM
mittee when the school salary hearings
were held. Miss Alton today gave some
startling facts showing that the morale
|of the Washington schoo1-teaching force
%
present low salaries.
Teachers are not able to live on a
minimum salary Of $3.50. which will apply
to the great percentage Of teachers, and
said Miss Alton today. Figures show
that so per cent Of the teachers Of Wash
ington are in debt. and once in debt they
find it almost impossible to get out. The
at night and after school hours to make
up for what they should be getting from
the schools and in order to meet neces-
sary expenses Many women are study
ing outside for. better positions in the
schools and find it almost impossible to
maintain their studies.
Says Situation Is Serious.
Washington is facing a very serious
situation The school system here is not
able to command the services Of teachers
from other cities at the present and pro-
posed minimum salary. I have in mind
a teacherrfr from Boston who has been do
ing research work here. l asked her II she
Washington. When she heard Of the sal
ary minimum she would not think Of
working here"
The movement for higher minimum
has the support Of the National Education
Association. In a letter sent to Congress
Saturday by J. w. Crabtree secretary Of
the association, some Of the facts regard
ing conditions in Washington are detail
ed ed; The letter said. in part: Teachers
higher salaries Since 1915 the increase
in the living cost has very materially re-
duced the purchasing power Of the dollar,
and an increased minimum would simply
restore the purchasing power Of the dol
lar. Teachers cannot live on the proposed
minimum.
Washington, under the federal gov
United States in school efficiency. If
Washington can get a reasonable min
imum salary law it will be q tremen-
dous influence for good among edu-
Gators all over the country"
Will Lower Standard, Is Belief.
That the standard of teaching in the
lowered il the minimum Of $3.50 is
maintained, is the opinion Of Miss Clara
Stutz, president Of the Grade School
Teachers Union. Miss Stutz said that
living expenses in Washington have
gone up 100 per cent since 1915 and
that a minimum provision Of $1,000
would be but a restoration Of the pur-
chasing power of the dollar.
I'm these war times, and particularly
in the war capital of the world, educa-
tion should reach. higher standard
than ever before" said Miss Stutz. I'm
stead, 1t is in danger Of being lowered.
We ought to hold our schools up to the.
highest standard Of work for the gen.
Grafton now in school"
Endorsement of the requests for a
minimum salary Of 81 200 was made to
day by P. T. Moran, chairman Of the
school committee Of the Chamber of
Commerce. Mr.. Moran said it would
be a detriment to the school system Of
Washington to permit minimum OF
$3.50 to remain.
Supported by School Officials.
The movement to secure a higher
of the entire membership Of the board
of education.
Superintendent of Schools Ernest L.
Thurston could not be reached today,
as he was on an inspection trip Of the
schools, but it is known that he is in
entire sympathy with and cordially in
dorses the modified estimates OF the
board Of education on $1,000 basis.
Mr.. Thurston feels that $1,000 is the
lowest minimum at which the schools
can obtain and keep teachers.
CHINA TO SEND 10000
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