Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-02-22
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1919.
TO THE MEAN-MNDED AND nGuT-FIsTED.

IN Delaware there are hundreds Of public school teach
1 ers. men and women whose salaries constitute a
reproach to those who pay them and an Injustice to
those who receive them
1t follows therefore. that recommendation made by
Dr. P p Claxton. United States Commissioners Of Edu-
cation, that the salaries Of teachers be doubled within
the next years. and that fifty per cent be added to
those increased salaries before another ten years have
passed so that the minimum average salary win be
$500 not only just but also something that will be
favored by everyone except the educational tghwads
Commenting upon his salary increase plan, DR.. Clax-
ton says:
1T is only by very large increase in pay Of teachers
Dat may hope to improve our schools appreclaply
4na Of 1--WE. ten twenty per cent viii not
a for they WIN not be sufficient to hold In the schools
men and women OF superior ability
"Teachers paid less for their work than any
other class OF workers and the Increase in their pay IN
the last few years has In nowise been In keeping with
crease In the cost OF living While the cost Of living
has increased approximately so per cen-food, s. per
cents clothing iO6 per cent; drugs iO3 per cent? fuel
SO per cent, and house furnishing goods 10 per cent
the salaries Of teachers have increased only about ~
per cent The purchasing power Of the salary Of the
teacher In public schools is therefore, only about 65
per cent Of what II was four years ago.
MANY Of the better teachers are leaving the schools
and their places are taken by men and Of less |
native ability less education and culture and
all As an inevitable result the character Of the schools
Is being lowered dust at time when II ought to be
raised 70 much hsher standard
students entering the normal schools to prepare
LOT teacnns are not Of as good quality they
formerly which that the Of the schools
must continue TO fall In some normal schools the en-
rolmeni Is far less than IN former years.
The only remedy is larger pay for teachers II
school boards legislators and county city councils
would Immediately the policy OF doubling the
salary Of teachers within the next 1--WE years
and Of adding not less than so cent within the
years following the expiration Of this period so
the end OF fifteen years average salary Of
public school teachers would be not less than $500
onea-ha times larger than they receive present
end then take steps for carrying ont this policy much
good would be accomplished thereby at once
"Such a policy and such a prospect would attract
to the schools more men and women Of superior ability
and would hold them, working contentedy and, there
fore probably for the children and the public welfare
Such In salary should carry with increase
OF not less than 25 cent In the length Of the
school term which Is now less than 100 days
ITO those who not acquainted with past condl-
tons and who have given the matter INTELLIGENT
tlouehl the increase recommended may large but
In fact it 1t would in most States range
Of salaries from $1,000 to $1,000 No person who is n
to take the time and money and opportunity OF the
children OF this democratic republic for the purpose
Of fitting them for life for making living, and for
virtuous citizenship should be asked to work for
No one who is unworthy OF this minimum salary Is
fitted TO do this work and such person should be
permitted waste the time and money OF the children
fritfer away their opportunity for education
Il" IS not for the Of the teachers that this policy
Is advocated. Schools not maintained for the benefit
Of the teachers II and women OF ability not
willing to teach for the pay offered them they quit
and do something else for living. hundreds OF
thousands Of the best do 1t is for the sake OF the
SCHOOLS the children and the prosperity OF the people
~ r strength and safety Of the nation that the policy
IN many Of the schools in Delaware the salaries paid
uers,a ',ers are 50 outrageousy low that the above
u''eranee by the head Of edncet,o,oi ,,ons. =, ar
"u states should bring tho b,,sh 80 $3.50. =, az
commissioners in such nean.ro,nas "'.ne , ~ .''e
districts Nssn-mnded and tight-hsted