El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-11
Declares Many
Rural Teachers
In N. M. Unfit
Lively Debate, Feature;
Alleged Conditions In
Dona Ana Described.


Santa Fe, y. n, Jan. 11.-Dr. r. E.
Mcbride OF Las Cruces. county super
intendent for Dona Ana county, at the
statewide educational conference IN
the senate chamber did some mighty
plain speaking in discussing the pro-
posed increased salary provisions for
teachers which he favored unreserv-
edly. He said: IF we ever expect to
elevate teaching in New Mexico we
must quit temporizing. The majority
OF rural school teachers come IN con-
tact with lack OF the fundamentals.
They are absolutely incompetent to
teach"
He cited the instance OF a girl who
had graduated from the eighth grade,
had attended & summer school session
and was given a third grade certia-
cate but who had no qualifications for
teaching yet was given a school The
conditions OF rural education in many
parts OF New Mexico which were re-
vealed BY the frank discussions OF the
conference VIII demand very positive
legislative action IN order 10 apply a
remedy.
Would Raise Tax Levy.
The discussion began when sup
erintendent OF public instruction J. Il
wagner explained proposed changes
in the school tax law and the appor-
tionment OF SCHOOL funds. He advo-
Gated an increase in the general
school levy from a half mill to one
and half mills. II Is not the inten-
ton 70 destroy the county unit law
but TO help the counties in accord
ance with their needs and dfstrfbut-
"a d nH
the entire state The increased levy
would produce $4,000 annually and
would enable the state 70 meet the
conditions Of proposed federal legisla-
ton which is to put at the disposal OF
the state huge sums OF federal morsy
for education
He made the direct charge thai cen
sus returns OF some OF the &C unties
have been padded and that tie con-
scientious counties are therebs' placed
az a disadvantage. while INSCRIPTIONS
counties are benefited.
Protests Against IIIIter 1cy.
DR.. Mcbride protested AGAINST the
present method Of certifica.ion- Il de-
clare that a teacher, even though she
has a first grade rtlficate, who
comes to me and says. I can't do
nothing with those children nohow.
should not be In the teaching profess
sion," he said
Rather Old Pupils.
The leverage problem was dis
cussed by superintendent Hill OF the
Spanish normal and Or. Roberts said
that the average age OF his eighth
grade pupils Is % years, one pupil
being a man As years Of age and an
other a woman with three children
Uneducated Background.
Mrs. Ruth Miller explained the
proposition to extend the compulsory Z
school age from Il to 16 years and the :
establishment Of part time schools for
cnltdren between those ages who are
compelled TO work. AtanasiO Montoya
made some plain and startling state I
ments about ignorant parents who Z
used all sorts Of suhterfuges to keep
their children out Of school and cited I
at length his experience with a west 4
Texan in his county who managed 20 /
keep his Il year old boy out OF school /
despite every effort TO compel the /
boys school attendance.
The conference endorsed the propo- /
sition TO advance the compulsory 7
school age from IA to Is and the es-
tablishment OF part time schools in 4
children between II and 16 years who I
must work
High Cost OF Living.
Miss Eckles Of Silver City, IN intro
ducing the subject OF higher salaries
for teachers. declared that the high /
Gust OF AANNAAAa the limit NlAaAlal AN law
on school taxation and the maximum
salary law as now enforced as so det-
erimental to the cause OF education
that 1--WE might as well close the
schools In many instances" She cited
the fact that thus far only $50 mem
bers OF the New Mexico Educational
association had enrolled for the cur
rent year when at least 1000 member
ships are needed to furnish the neces-
sary finances. She called for volun-
teers and got a generous response
Upon motion OF Swinney. IL was
recommended 20 the legislature to re-
move the five percent annual increase
restriction from school budgets, TO re-
peal the law fixing the present maxi
mum salaries 20 be paid teachers and
10 give county and city school boards
greater power in determining school
budgets TO be submitted 70 the county J
As a legislative COM
mittee, Messrs Milne. Asplund, Enloe,
and Miss Eokles, It is an-l j