The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-12-19
Governor Runyon, in Statement,
Directs Attention to Crisis Due
to Scarcity of Teachers.
SHAKEUP IS IN PROSPECT
Governor Elect Edwards Said to Have
Program for Radical Change-Leg-
islature viii Be in Session Week
Prior to Inauguration.

made victims of a demoralized and
to underpaid teachers, Governor Run
yon issued a statement calling atten-
ton to the local boards of estimate to
"the gravity of the situation"
New Jersey, the governor said, faces
the immediate prospect of closing
schools or drawing into the teaching
those inadequately trained and those
without special preparation for the
work. Competition with other states
for the service of teachers appears un-
avoidable, he said.
The governor declared the scarcity
of teachers already has caused lower
ing of educational standards and even
the suspension Of classes In schools
limited to New Jersey, he stated, but
looms as menace to the public schools
of the nation. Many teachers have
been forced into other fields by the
need to earn living wage, he pointed
out.
"If our children are to be taught by
Incompetent teachers or are not to be
taught at all the end of American de-
mocracy as we know 1t is in sight," the
governor declared.
Expenses connected with the opera
ton of the public schools of the state
during the past year increased S5,709,-
1886 over the preceding year The
total was $25,451, 014.43, and more than
S1S,000.000 of this amount was for
teachers salaries, superintendent and
principals, according to the annual re-
port of State Commissioner Kendall
There were enrolled in the schools
596,994 pupils, of whom 25,560 were In
the evening schools. In the day schools
there were 2S7,909 boys and 2S3, 525
girls.
Minimum salaries for teachers,
plans for more effective Americaniza-
ton work and proposed legislation af-
fecting the schools will be discussed by
the state board at an informal meeting
in Newark December 7, 1t was decided
upon by the board
Action of County Superintendent
Kaser Of Burlington in withholding
state funds from the Board of Educa-
ton of Hanover township was affirmed
by the board The money was refused
because the township board failed to
provide suitable building accommodate
lions for school sessions in Jaeobstown
and Ayerstown.
disappointment of H. c. Dixon as SUI
perintendent of Salem county was af-
firmed by the state board.
Polite Moves Predicted.
Men close to Governor Elect Ed
wards have given out information of
semi-official character to indicate that
one of the first moves of the new exec
utive will be to overhaul the State
Highway Commission, of which George
S. Blakeslee, one of the live wires of
the Edwards campaign, is member.
Mr.. Blakeslee has been stirring that
body for some months with no visible
effort to conceal his positive dislike for
the manner in which its business has
been conducted. In view of the fact
that the commission has almost com
plete control of the vast sums gathered
for road construction upon the part of
the state its administration is looked
upon as one of the most important and
vital in the government.
Mr. Blakeslee has charged that star
chamber sessions of the board have
been the custom. He has made other
charges against the commission, which
have brought sharp retort from his fell
low members, and the controversy has
waxed warm. If, under the circum-
stances, the governor shall carry out
his avowed purpose of overturning this
commission there will be a long and
lively fight in the legislature, as it is
more than likely that the Republicans,
who will be in control of both houses,
will defend the present board.
Another large and interesting scrap
is certain TO develop from the effort
Governor Edwards will make to carry
out his campaign promise TO eliminate
the Public Utility Commission. The
charges presented to Governor Runyon
by the commissioners of the town of
Montclair during the heated controver-
sy over the trolley zone system have
not been disposed of by a decision of
the governor. In such case the execu-
tive is Judge and jury at the trial, for
under the laws creating the several
state commissions he is given full and
complete power to dismiss members
upon charges made.
Governor Runyon heard the evil
dence presented at the hearing bearing
upon the GEOGRAPHICALLY that the
Utility Board had been derelict in its
duty by issuing orders on rates without
proper investigation of valuations. If,
then, Governor Runyon shall fail to
give his verdict prior to the Inaugural
ton of the new executive, or if he finds
the charges unfounded, the Utility
Board viii continue TO exercise its
functions and remain on its job. 1t
will then be up to Governor Edwards
to make the next move, and it would
be an easy matter for anyone to pre-
Public Service Loses.
ADnIication of the Public Service