Evening journal., 1918-08-15
INDUSTRY'S RAIDS
Menace SCHOOLS
Big Pay Lures Teachers
and Pupils, Says Phila.
Superintendent
WILL TAKE TEACHERS
FROM OUTSIDE CITY


PHILADELPHIA. Aug. IS. 80 High
wages paid boys and girls in munitlon
and other plants are Turing thousands
from Philadelphia schools.
Unless parents keep children In
school future teaching STATS, medical
corps and other organizations requiring
special training will be seriously
menaced."
That is the substance OF a warning
issued today by Oliver p. Cornman. as
sociate superintendent Of public schools.
High industrial wages, according 10
Mr.. Cornman, are eXerting a similar in
fluence among the younger teachers.
when the schools reopen September
., said Mr.. Cornman. there will be a
genuine shortage OF teachers. Many Of
the younger women teachers have ac-
cepted summer positions In industrial
and commercial establishments. They
are getting higher wages than are paid
teachers and will refuse TO return TO
the blackboards and books.
What the shortage will be cannot
| be determined until the schools reopen.
but II is apparent 10 will be considera-
/ bic. Obtaining teachers 10 ON the va
cancies Is such a serious problem that
/ for the first time in the history Of the
Ire-organized school system the doors
will be thrown open 10 outside teachers.
In February we will invite teachers
/ In cities and towns outside Philadelphia
10 take examinations for positions IN
/ Philadelphia schools. Heretofore we
have depended entirely upon the city's
normal school and school OF pedagogy.
In normal times there are approximate
ly 300 vacancies a year and they have
been filled without diflculty Thls year
there will be a different story
Effect Of war conditions on the teacn,
ing force is emphasized IN the indus
trial departments. Mr.. Cornman said
there were flfty-four industrial train
ing shops in the city and twenty were
closed before the end Of the school year
because Of inability OF the Board Of
Education TO obtain teachers. Pour
OF the remaining shops he added
were conducted by women teachers
Despite the shortage Of teachers, the
raids on the ranks OF children In the
upper school grades are causing the
most alarm among the city's educators
1t is a situation" said Mr.. Cornman
that must be taken seriously Our
law compels every youth I'm the city 10
complete the sixth grade in the gram
mar scnool before putting aside books
for a career in trade or industry, but
II the flow Of boys and girls TO our
technical schools and colleges Is 10 be
maintained something must be done d
keep the youths in school after They
complete the sixth grade. High wages
I permit father 10 keep his boy or cir
in school, and in fact, with a little sac
rlice. permit him 10 give that boy o
girl a much better education than Il
p former days.
, "But instead OF encouraging the youth
b 20 remain in high school and then q
enter the normal and technical school
or colleges they are permitting them {
/ accept positions in munition plants an
! commercial establishments. They fal
! 10 take the broader view OF things an
consider the future of the children.
zone can readily appreciate that tn
/ raids on our elementary schools wi
seriously affect the higher institution
Of learning from which we recruit on
timber for the professions and highe
! walks OF life"
Last year more than 1900 boys an'
girls deserted scnoOl dlieI coupltllu'
the sixth grade and are now engage,
. in various industrial and commercial
? plants Of the city This year. accord
J ing to Mr.. Cornman, the total will bt
. much greater, for wages are constant
ly increasing and as wages increase thl
lure becomes stronger.
. 1t means" said Mr. Cornmsn. "tha
thousands OF boys and girls have aban
/. doned bright futures Tor positions tina
at best are merely temporary. u Is az
, unfortunate condition. and n II Is 10 bl
checked the parents must take the ini
7 tiatiye.
! when the schools reopen the Boari
, OF Education will launch a propaganda
designed TO teach the value Of educa
: ton. Teachers will urge the youngster
10 remain az their books. but II thi
! effort is 10 be successful the parents
) must cooperate"
Unofficial figures dealing with thI
{ school census for the coming schoo
wear show that in Philadelphia ther'
are more than $4,000 children betweeT
! the AGES OF six and sixteen. This Is al
, increase Of approximately 1900 owe
p last year.