The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-28
MANY TEACHERS JOIN
ORGANIZED LABOR

Washington, April e7.---A new char
ter every other day under the Ameri-
can Federation OF Teachers is the rate
at which the organization wave among
public school teachers of the United
states has been spreading during the
past month. according to reports re-
ceived at the Washington office of the
National Women's Trade Union league.
The American Federation of Teachers
Is affiliated both with the American
Federation of Labor and the National
Women's Trade Union league. and has
to date chartered total of seventy
local unions from coast to coast. This.
II is stated. represents 100 per cent
organization in many localities
The aims of this vigorous youne ma
tional trade union organization of edu-
Gators are characterization OF the
schools and fair working conditions
for teachers. Various school boards. 1t
is pointed out. have lately exhibited
their autocratic, illiberal attitude on
public questions to the extent of actual
persecution of teachers and the at
tempted suppression of free discussion
In the schools. Accompanying this form
OF oppression. as public scandal Of
years standing. is the salary scale of
teachers. which for the entire United
states averages $500 per year. and
there are thousands OF teachers receiv-
Ing only $500 and $500 per year.
We insist" SAYS the national presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Teachers. Charles y. Stillrnan. of Chi
cago, that boards of education have
no proprietary right In the schools
They should he proud to consider
themselves. with the teachers. fellow
servants of the public. Therefore, we
demand a voice In the government of
the schools. ~ through representa-
ton on the school boards. ~ through
teachers councils in every school. con
sisting of chosen representatives Of
the teachers who shall be consulted by
the authorities on all questions affect
ing teachers or pupils, and (3) the
election OF school boards by popular
vote. And we demand, in behalf of the
children of this land. free discussion
of public questions In the class room
IT rs impossible to make good citizens
Without discussing the problems OF
citizenship.
Backed as we are by organized
le Dor everywhere, we propose TO 6ght.
In every instance. the arbitrary. auto
cratic procedure of school boards illus
trated in the case of Miss Alice Wood
in Washington and of Or. BENJAMIN
Giassberg In New York
"For relief as to the salary schedule
g teachers we have already demon
strated that organization under the
American Federation of Labor is the
best way TO work In New York. for
example, with the assistance of the
New York state Federation of Labor
we have secured the passage OF bin
IN the Legislature allowing an average
raise of 500 per year in the pay of
teachers. The teachers unions in
washington, now two years old have
In that period secured congressional
action raising their minimum salary
from $50 10 sTEn. and after July /
they VIII share in the s240 increase
obtained for all government employees
by the National Federation of Federal
Employees. with the teachers co-operat-
Ing. Our local In Madison Wisconsin.
which WAS organized but FIVE months
ago. by taking active part in the local
primaries and election. secured a nom
partisan board of education and SO I'm
pressed itself upon the community that
the retiring board granted a $3.50 sal
AIRY Increase to the teachers before it's
term of office expired Chicago VAL
lejo. Cal. and other cities furnish sim
ilar examples OF the teachers achieve
ments by means OF their afTiliation
with the organized labor movement
through the American Federation Of
Labor"
National Organizer l. V. Iampson,
formerly Of the Central High school. Of
Washington. d. c, reports new teach
ers locals established in Galveston
Sal Antonio, Austin and penison, Tex.
within the past week, Recently teach