The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-26
Teachers Are Told
They Must Be
Right with Their
Country
MANY FACES MISSING
Some Have Gone Into Bush
ness and Others Into
the Service.

Many familiar faces were missing
when The annual teachers institute
opened this morning in the Miller
school. Many OF the women have ac-
cepted other positions this year and
many Of the men are at the front This
mornings session was called an in
troductOry session, but it was filled
nevertheless with interesting talks by
interesting people. Two hundred and
six ladies we're present and q gentle
men. The front part of the auditorium
held many vacant seats where last
year nearly all seats were full. 1t was
announced during the morning that
more were expected at the afternoon
session; that a number failed to ar
rive in time this morning. Prof.
Harry J. Taylor led the singing very
enthusiastically. Especially impress.
slve were his words at the beginning
Of the second verse of my Country
IT'S Of Thee" lie spoke loud enough
to be heard by all. Very reverently,
please" There was a touch Of great
patriotism among the changed assem-
bly, OF teachers this morning, a touch
felt by all in the different faces, so
many very young.
There was a buzz of congenial talk
among the numbers present in the hall
before session commenced. Most Of
the talk consisted in anXieties over
finding suitable roomhome, in wonder.
ing about new work, and in talk re.
garding absent husbands at the front
Many OF the teachers this year have
husbands and even sons at the front,
Notes were compared as to who had
received letters last and how many
and what they were about A number
Of these women were heard to re
mark ,"Yes, know there are better
paid positions open in the city. but |
feel my duty lies here" Some stories
Of harpship in making ends meet on
school salaries we're overheard, with
no special attempt on the part OF these
teachers to try for better salaries else.
where.
Mr.. Hustead, superintendent OF the
East side schools, said this morning, 81
suppose many teachers will accept bet.
ter paid positions. ] think many OF
our companies are raising salaries IT.
their big need for help but think IN
the end the school salary will prove
adequate and satisfactory. think
office salaries will drop later on"
Session was opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Goodwin. who spoke with
his usual power and depth. lie pray
ed especially for blessing to rest on
all teachers who stood by the schools
during these war times. lie asked for
q blessing to rest on all boys OF teach.
ers. He asked that everybody realize
the importance OF school work now,
that teaching meant being about the
Masters business these times.
County Superintendent w. f. Mich.
aels. acting as Miller school superin.
tendent, said he wondered whether in.
stitute at Fairmont intended to be a
success; that there was an average OF
fifty per cent. less on hand in other
counties at institutes. He said we had
more here and from the looks Of
things, with all teachers cooperating,
success here was assured.
Ida L. Davis. OF Wesleyan College,
BuckhannoE, spoke in an interesting
manner OF her work as special pri.
mary teacher and asked that during
the institute. those who desired help
Of any kind should come TO her freely
for what aid she could give them. She
said she wanted the teachers present
10 feel that the coming years work
was to be a work they loyod-a great
work.
DIR. e. B. Robertson. OF the Univer.
sity OF Pittsburgh. said he was glad
FaiFmont had turned of some OF her
heart when he arrived and that he
was particularly glad the water wac
on, so that he could appear fully pre-
CONTINUED on page eighty