The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1919-04-16
HIGHER SALARIES FOR
THE STATE TEACHERS
State Leaders and Local Com
mittees-The Solution of
Present Conditions.

The schools of Mississippi, as we'll
as other states, are now facing a cri-
sis. There is an appalling shortage
of properly educated, strong teach
ers, and no inducement for the de-
velopment of new teachers by the
colleges. Unless conditions are
changed, our schools will be in the
hands of incompetent teachers who
are mere unprofessional makeshifts,
The children will suffer.
In a surprisingly short time the
cost of living has increased more
than one hundred per cent. In the
same time teachers salaries have in
creased perhaps less than two per
cent. The strong, virile, enthusiastic
teachers are leaving for other work,
unless in few cases where certain
cities have paid better salaries, for
the simple reason that they cannot
support themselves decently on, say,
$3.50 year, and spend the summer
in the necessary study for profession
al improvement.
Those who are not good teachers
find 1t impossible to improve them
selves on present salaries.
So far as teachers themselves are
concerned. they-at least the strong
lones-can look out for themselves in
other lines. But the children would
be in bad state. For them the
matter must be settled, and settled
right.
Today there are three solutions
for the good teacher in our state:
She can leave the profession. She
can join the labor union, which has
the power to force adequate compen-
sation for her. The public can come
forward and pay her, as a matter of
right and sensible investment. 1t is
reported that last week the teachers
of one Mississippi city joined the ma
tional labor union under promise
that salaries would be increased nifty
per cent next term. Many in the
state regret to see this solution of
the teachers financial trouble.
Hence has been perfected strong
movement, statewide and organized
in every county, among public-splrit-
ed citizens who are not teachers in
the public schools, to secure the fu-
ture of our schools by public support
of adequate salaries, with the insur-
ing of higher standards of teaching
deficiency, the elimination of the
weak teahcer, and therefore better
schools. Teachers themselves have
no part, as such, in the movement.
The State leaders of this organiza-
tion are ]. T. Thomas. DR.. J. C. FAINT,
H. B. Heidelberg, DR.. e. L. Bailey,
II. C. Enochs andsMrs. B. F. Saunders.
stuart G.. Noble of jackson Is diFec-
tor of the campaign, and J. c. VIII
son one of the organizers.
DR.. I. w. Cooper is District Lead
er for the counties of Lincoln, Law
renee, Franklin, and JEFF Davis. The
selection is an admirable one, as he
knows conditions, has wide ac-
quaintance in the four counties, has
no connection with public schools,
and has patriotic interest in the
welfare of the children of this sec
Ition.
For the District comprising the
labove counties, known as Number
Seventeen, of the twenty-one dis
tricts into which the state is organ
iized. the directors of publicity are
Mrs. B. T. Hobbs and Mr.. L. H. Bow
en-, of Brookhaven.
The committee of six, allowed for
each conuty; are, for Lincoln: R. D.
Moreton, Willard Seavey. J. M.
Wood, Mrs. David Cohn, Mrs. c. s.
Butterield and Mrs. Eugene Bee.
The splendid committee above
mentioned will, under the direction
of the state organization and DR..
Cooper, and their own initiative,
take active measures for the inn
provement of the present conditions.
1t is expected that every organiza-
tion in the town and county-boards
of trustees, councils. supervisors,
commercial organizations. clubs,
churches, etc.,-will. cooperate with
this committee in arousing the peo-
pie to the necessity Of meeting this
serious situation of our schools and
Iplacing them on business basis,
and that every public man will align
himself with the cause.
1t is the plan Of the committee to
have great rally in Brookhaven
Fridal night, April rs, with every
citizen present who has vital inter-
est in the schools. A number Of
speakers from the state organization
will set the facts before us, and it is
confdently expected that the meet
ling will result in great good to
Brookhaven and Lincoln county.
AS rapidly as possible the organi-
zation will be perfected over the
county, as well as the other three
counties Of the district. The coun-
TRY schools should have the best Of
teachers and equipment, which state
is impossible under existing laws.
Needless to say, Brookhaven will
not be allowed to lag behind pro-
gressive towns and cities Of the state,
in justice to her children and teach
ers, nor viii her schools be allowed
to suffer by loss, Of the best teach
ers to other cities. lack Of money to
employ the best new teachers. or
lack Of money to enable the present
good teachers to improve themselves.