The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-05
They PAY FOR IT
State Teachers Hit by Division
of Kansas Meetings.
Dues Raised so Per Cent To
Cover Cost of the "Split."
FORMER CONVENTION INTOPEKA
Membership Under That Plan
Was Only One Dollar a Year.
Slump in Advertising Revenues
of the Official Organ.
FORMER CONVENTION INTOPEKA

The State Teachers association has
hit a snag. The carefully laid plan to
take the state teachers meetings away
from Topeka and divide the big state
gathering into four smaller meetings,
has added greatly to the expense. AS
a result the teachers will be assessed
so per cent more for memberships in
the organization.
Teachers who came to Topeka under
the guise of friendship to the state
association and urged a division of the
big meeting, are now compelled 10
reveal the facts which were withheld
from the state association at its 1916
IT meetings. A division OF the state
association meetings was won because
of a showing that. localized meetings
would increase the state membership.
That argument has not been clearly
esta blished. Nonetheless the indi-
vidual teacher is beginning to pay the
bill. Memberships are to be advanced
Immediately from 81 to $3.50.
There are two reasons. One OF them
the most vital one, perhaps-is the
increased expense of the local meet
ings In spite of the fact that the
state association was encouraged to
believe its membership would be in
creased. officers of the association are
not willing to trust to the increased
numbers to pay operating expenses OF
conventions The state association
easily paid exnenses and built up a
reserve during the time the convention
was held in Topeka. In addition TO
this fact. ToDeka furnished expensive
and interesting features which were
given to the. organization absolutely
free.
Meetings Over state.
In spite of Topeka's hospitality,
however, a sufficient number of
towns were able to pool interests and
direct a division of the convention.
AS a result four Community meet
ings will be held instead of one mon
ster state gathering. The top notch
talent which willingly came to Topeka
for state convention, now balks
when invited to attend district meet
ings. Convention expenses have gone
skyward. The state association has
means a multiplication of expenses
when considered in connection with
the economy and efficiency of the an
nual Topeka meeting.
There is just one way in which the
association can pay for the follies of
rected the split convention plan. That
is to increase membership fees and
hang the extra expense on the in
dividual teacher. So, in an effort to
meet expenses of the move which pro-
vfded for four local meetings instea d
of a single statewide gathering, the
school ma'am in the small town and
rural district will be asked to pay
more to hear less noted talent. If ad-
ditional members are secured as a re-
suit of the new convention plan, their
dues will be used. too. If the mem
bership slumps-which was the pre-
diction of some members-then a fur
Their advance of membership fees NAV
be necessary.
War conditions are affecting the In
terests of the Kansas Teacher. the of.
ficfal organ of. the association Be-
cause of a slump in advertising reve.
nues, some of the funds gathered in
extra dues will be used in supporting
the publication.