The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-12-22
SCHOOL TEACHERS
SALARIES AND
AMERlCANISM

consider the critical condition OF our
school system, due to underpaid
teachers. Chairman Hartness present
ed the problem as follows:
This conference is called in recog-
milton of the right of Public School
Teachers to have a material increase
in salary.
We are fully aware that there has
been change in the purchasing pow
or Of the dollar.
II is not essential at this time to
find all the causes that have pro
duced this result II is the fact that
faces our teachers and ourselves
Ry various avenues Of approach We
all arrive at a conclusion that our
dollar is worth about fifty cents
when measured by the pre,war buy
iag power
Wages OF unskilled and skilled
workers have been generally ad.
vanced, but there still remains vast
majority of incomes which have not
been adjusted There must be uni
formity In change in all compensation
II we are to avoid the calamity OF
national upheaval.
Under tho pre-war condition there
were lamentable inequalities Of COM
pensation. We know that we have
always had profteers, parasites and
other burdens for the people to carry.
We know that tho trend OF the times
is toward equality OF compensation
for given quality OF service rendered.
We know that on this new basis
there will be not an exactly uniform
change OF pay from the pre,war ba-
sis, but il will be something differ
ent from the extreme condition that
now exists.
We know that our law makers have
suggested only partial and sometimes
destructive cures, but we are conf
dent that an investigation conducted
by men competent by record of ser
vice will bring the needed light and
remedy for the correction OF the old
and new Irregularities OF remunera-
ton.
The method OF change will not hurt
the people; it will not hinder produc-
ton; It will not kill industrial life,
an dit will predicate all its conclusions
on the fitness for service for every
man for the Job or ofice-eliminating
parasites--but since we are face to
face with a condition that requires
prompt action let us take care Of this
emergency.
Our object in mentioning the
e. e. srFx
selves that we are on the right track
in our course toward correct deter
mination OF our immediate problem
Our problem today is to give our
teachers square deal.
It is for US. as officers intrusted
with the administration of educational
system, to act wisely in the present
crisis.
In the teacher OF the public schools
we have the highest type of Amer
p icanism, and. consequently, spirit Of
true devotion to the interest of the
American home on which American
ism is based.
In our public schools We have the
most powerful engine for good or i'll
It has a dependability OF action. /
will not run away. 1t cannot easily
be stampeded.
The teachers have not struck fol
higher salaries and they are no
spreading unrest doctrines. TheI
know tho great power OF their indu
ence, not only on the pupils who in. ;
few years will be he citizens OF th,
state and country. but also the grea
potency OF their attitude in forming
the public opinion of the family AM
community.
IL is for US and for all good an
LOYAL Americans to recognize the pow
err OF our schools and the high yalu
Of our teachers ideals.
We must not permit continuanc
Of this inequality Of remuneration tina
places each teachers ideals in jeo
pardy,
We cannot evade our responsibility
by pleading existing contracts G
change OF tax rate, for that woul
merely feed the depressed spirit {
rebellion and unrest.
Our teachers are not bomb throw
ers. or anything but the highest tyr
of humanity, but loyalty is hard
maintain against the insistent d.
mands OF the body for ample rainier
and other needs such as could be PR
,ded with the pay in other fields
service Loyalty can live and eve
thrive under adversely, provided it
not subjected to the sickening thong
OF unfairness and lack of appreci
ton.
This is not carelessiy set forth
is a careful statement OF facts as tn
exist.
We know that Vermonters a
genuine Americans; that they sta
for square deal, and for maintaini
and euergizng the strong America
ism Of our teachers, so that this pow
OF the public schools will continue
engine for true Democracy instead
a hot bed for the spirit of distrl
and opposition to our government.
Wb{1n hoe ham