The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-22
SCHOOL BOARD
EMPLOYEES WILL
GET MORE PAY
Source From Which Money
Will Come and Details Not
Worked Outs. M. WiIIim.
son Placed In Charge.


The need OF an increased scale for
employees Of the city board Of educa-
ton is a Just one and the situation will
be relieved.
such was the sentiment expressed at
the joint meeting OF the education COM
mittee Of the Chamber Of Commerce
and the board OF education, held Tues
merce,
Two definite steps were taken to
hasten the relief sought and to quiet
the unrest that IL so prevalent among
NE teachers In the city school system.
y. NJ. Williamson was chosen chairman
OF a committee Of five with fuii owe
70 act In submitting a definite plan
whereby the revenue of the board OF
education will be increased. A motion
was also adopted at the meeting en-
poWerlng Mr., Williamson to convey to
the school board employees the infor-
NATION that the Chamber OF Commerce
az the central civic Organization OF the
city fully recognizes their urgent need
Tor additional pay and to assure them
mat some plan would be formulated
AZ the earliest possible moment where
by an Increase could be granted.
The meeting Tuesday was well at
tended, All members OF the board OF
education, with the exception ofMrs.
Walter Grey, were present, together
with the superintendent and secretary
OF the board and a large number Of
committee members, r. W. Bailey,
chairman OF the committee, presided.
tn recognition on the part Of citi-
zens Of the necessity OF increasing sal
aries OF school board employees as out.
lined at this meeting is not a specific
recognition Of the Memphis Teachers
association. which Ia affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor, II was
made very plain at the meeting that
all employees OF the board from the
superintendent down and not be con-
fined TO members OF the teachers ass
ISOLATION.
All for Higher Pay.
Selection OF the committee Of five was
left entirely to Mr., Williamson and The
personnel OF the committee will be an
nounoed in q few days. W. H, FitE-
Hugh, president Of the Chamber Of
CommereA, proposed the motion nam
ing Mr.. Williamson as chairman OF this
committees and II was adopted without
n dissenting vote,
There was no discussion or statement
during the entire meeting showing any
opposition whatsoever to the salary in
creases. This phase of the matter Is
definitely settled so far as members OF
the board and Chamber Of Commerce
are concerned. The entire time OF the
meeting was taken up In discussing
ways and means to raise a fund suf.
ficient to permit an increase in salaries.
numerous suggestions were offered,
but the plan generally favored Is that
OF having the city commission assume
the payment OF interest and sinking
fund on bond issues. Several other sugr
gestions were presented to Mr., Williams
son for consideration by his commit
tee, but the first step to be taken upon
completion OF the committee Is 70 have
Y committee Of lawyers examine and
determine the powers OF the city COM
mission and the board OF education.
This legal survey will require several
days and no definite action can be
taken until all legal points are cleared
up. The opinion rendered on the legal
phase will largely determine the course
Of action TO he followed by the COM
mittee In developing q plan for raising
the money. Meanwhile records OF the
hoard of education with reference 10
income and expenditures and salaries
paid employees will be carefully checked
and = digest OF this information pre-
Mr, Williamson was the principal
speaker at the meeting and he sub
mitted facts furnished by the govern
ment tending 10 show that the salaries
paid by the Memphis school system
compares favorably with other cities Of
the South, but when compared to cities
OF equal size In other sections of the
country Memphis rs far below the av-
rag
Out Of Politics.
Another point that was brought out
very emphaticslly at the meeting was
the matter OF revenue for the school
board was not a political bone to be
banded about by aapirants for office.
II Is a question, Mr.. Williamson said.
for the citizens OF Memphis: one where
the opinion OF the entire city must be
cemented and whatever action Is de-
cided upon must have the cooperation
OF all OF the citizens.
Among the speakers al the meeting
IN addition TO Mr., Williamson were w.
II, FftzHugh. president Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce; Or. A, A, kincannon,
of the West Tennessee Normal school,
and J.. II. Holmes,
The sentiment that prevailed through
out the meeting instilled In those prea-
ent the feeling that a practical way IN
raised would be found by the commit
tee at the earliest possible moments
that with the development Of the plan
II would be carried through 10 n sue
cessful termination and that all EN-
ployees of the school system could re.
lieve their minds Of further worry on
this score,
The assurances to be given the teach
ers Wednesday afternoon BY Mr. VIII
hanson, IL In hoped, will tend 10 bring
to an end the period OF unrest which
has been prevalent throughout the sys-
TEN since the fall term opened, Sept,
IL, THIS feeling OF unrest has, II IL
stated, decreased the efficiency OF the
school system,
The education committee OF the
chamber OF Commerce Is subject to the
call Of Mr., Williamson's committee and
a joint meeting Of this committee and
ana hnapd "a fadunnfINn will doubtless