Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-02
DR.. F. E. DOWNES IS
HEAD OF EDUCATORS
IContinucd from First Pagc.l
the resolution committee on this sub
iect. The report said:

IContinucd from First Pagc.1
the resolution committee on this sub
ject. The report said:
That in view of economic condi-
tions that have brought about the
high cost of living, making 1t almost
impossible for teachers to exc out an
existence with their present meager
salaries. we urge the passage of the
proposed bill providing for an In
crease of twenty-five per cent. fboVe
what teachers are now receiving. The
Legislature is also urged to make the
necessary appropriation to carry out
the provisions of the Teachers Re-
tirement Bill. Furthermore. 1t is our
| firm conviction that the vital needs
of the schools cannot possibly be met
with less than a general appropria-
ton of twenty millions of dollars for
the next two years."
Hit Quarantincs
Statewide quarantine in time OF
t epidemics was scored as entirely un-
necessary. On this subject, these
resolutions were adopted:
That we condemn statewide
quarantine and indiscrimlnate clos
ing of schools where adequate medi-
cal inspection and supervision are
provided. We suggest rather a strict
quarantine of individuals who are
afflicted with communicable disease,
adding in another resolution that the
Department of Public Instruction be
asked to give general publicity to it's
ruling In regard to the effect of the
time lost during the influenza quar-
antine upon the classification or
. schools. in the districts of the various
classes as to the distribution Of
school funds
The Junior Red Cross as bene-
ficial movement was iudor5Cd in this
resolution:
The Junior Red Cross has been
a real inspiration in the work of the
public schools and has furnished
motive for patriotic service and sacri-
flee by the children. and we heartily
approve of the continuation of this
activity in the schools"
The better financing of the State
Normal schools that they may in
crease the efficiency of the state edu-
cational system was recommended.
On this subject, the association
passes this resolution: THAT we
urged the State Board 70 Education
to so finance the normal schools of
the state through iegislaticve appro-
priation that the state may be able
to secure the benefits that can he de-
rived from a complete use of all
their facilities and that the State
Board promote legislation that shall
require progressively better profess
siona1 training for the various grades
of certificates in order that the high
er salaries demanded my be further
justified
The propaganda in favor of Amer
irA nigrt mn hon nf.fl
ed in these words: That since in
these days of world reconstruction,
not only the practice but the preach
ing of the American doctrine is nec-
essary to save representative democ-
racy from the radical forces which
destroy it; therefore this association
indorses the pro-American propa-
gandad of the National Security
League, and enrolls for it's free prop
aganda service"
State Officials Thanked
The State Legislature, Governor
Brumbaugh and Superintendent of
Schools Nathan C. Schaeffer were
extended great thanks for the aids
they have been in educational re-
form in two resolutions, as follows:
That we express our apprecia-
ton of the spirit of justice and fair
islature to give Pennsylvania q State
School Employees Retirement system
based upon sound actuarial prin-
ciples, that we urge first of all the
necessary enabling appropriation
and that we further urge all pres
ent school employees to join the State
Retirement Association" and
That the association hereby ac-
knowledge its debt of gratitude to
the Governor of Pennsylvania and
the superintendent of Schools and
the teachers of Harrisburg for the
hospitable and generous way In
which they have entered this meeting
of. the association"
The great American school sys-
tem' while not national system,
nevertheless is a great one, was
praised for the work it has done dur
Ing the war in these words:
THAT, measured by its achieve
Hients in the present crisis, the Amer
lean public school system has accom-
plished far more than had been an
ticipated, even by its most ardent ad-
vocates."
That the Pennsylvania State Edu-
cational Association Is a mightier or
| ganization than ever before in its his
tory was asserted in the report of
Treasurer John c. Wagner, of Car
Isle. He said that until the end of
the session a total of 15,051 teachers
throughout the state had enrolled
with the association, as compared
| with 1O.404 in 1916. the next highest
figures. The figures issued are in
complete, superintendent Wagner
stated. reports from eleven counties
| and twenty-seven cities and boroughs
net yet hSving been received.
Five Counties Honored
Five counties. Camerons Lebanon.
Lehigh, Snyder and Union, have ey-
| cry teacher of their schools enrolled
| as members of the association, Treas
urer Wagner's report shows. In ad-
! dition, forty-six different cities have
all of the instructors employed as
members of the association. Included
| among the more important of these
| are Carlisle. Columbia, Connellsville,
Danville. Harrisburg, Lebanon, Lew
istown. Radnor township, Pottsville.
Steelton, Sunbury. Tyrone and Upper
Darby township. More than 1900
members of the association registered
for its session, Superintendent Wag-
| ner stated, placing this session among
| the largest ever held.
The influenza epidemic exacted a
heavy toll among sttae teachers, the
report of the neurology committee
showed. More than 100 state teach
ers of the total of 1876 that died dur
| ing the year were victims of the
plague. Twenty-nine former state