The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-12-19

teachers. who were much upset by
proposed reorganization schemes, was
urged by Capt. James +. Oyster,
president of the Board of Trade,
speaking at the committee meeting.
He suggested that the committee get
down to business. and, even II II
were not prepared to make a full
report on the conditions to the full
board In January, make q partial re-
port that would Mt least show the
teaching force that the business men
| wee looking into matters concerning
! them and the school system.
In order 70 complete the commit
tee's>work and get something definite
looking toward restoration Of conf
dence among the teaching force. the
full committee instructed Chairman
CiafiiH to appoint subcommittee to
investigate and report on matters of
. increased salaries for teachers, more
F.; teachers. more and larger school
buildings. business manager for the
school system and a teachers re-
ti7ement law.
Seek Light on Plan.
I These subcommittee will be an
nounced within u few DAYS by Mr.
Ciafi!r. who also was instructed 10
ask the Board OF Education 10 send
representative to explain the pro-
posed reorganization scheme in order
that the committee might be fully
informed before taking any action.
Mr.. Clafin Informed - members
Of the committee that h. would see
chairmen of the Congressional COM
mittees and-ask that the business
and civic interests OF the city be
heard when the school matters come
up for consideration in connection
with the District appropriation bill
Mr.. Claim said, he was very glad
10 see that The Herald was looking
into the local school conditions here.
and expressed the belief that the pub
licity thus given would serve 20 stir
up the citizens TO back the move to
better conditions and show Congress
the needs Of the local system II II was
to be made a model as il should be
81 am now planning to get together
an organization to make a concerted
drive 10 better the local school con-
ditions, which are~very bad. to say
the least" said Mr.. Clafiin yesterday.
~ am going to confer with the heads
of the school committees OF the sew
eral civic bodies including the Cham
Der of Commerce. the Rotary Club.
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
lions. and others with a view to hav-
ing them appoint delegates to a joint
committee which will go thoroughly
into the local situation. prepare rec
concentrations and present them 10
the proper authorities when the time
comes.
1T is only by cooperative and con-
certed effort We can ever hope to OBJ
tai ~ -
form the organization which will
get what is needed.
The children of the local schools
are not receiving the kind of edu-
cation they should under the condi-
tons which should prevail. I know
from personal experience because Of
the fact that I am a teacher and
have two children in the local
schools. I will just cite you one H.
lustration, and that is the case of
my little boy.
During the school term ending
in June last he had i've different
teachers. His first teacher was a
first-class one who was well adapt
ed and trained to teach scholars in
the first grade. She was getting
less than $1,000 a year. and resigned
to accept a position in the govern
ment service which paid her much
more. Subsequently the boy had
four substitutes who were in no
way qualified to handle the children
of the grade. some of them being
only eighth grade scholars who
were attempting to hold the class
Il know that these teachers were
not qualified to do the work al
Iotted to them conferred with