Arizona republican., 1919-03-16
Teachers Salaries

Teachers Salaries
 Now that the legislature is over it is d little late to hc introducing arguments the payment teach ers of better salaries tut some tmc there will be other legislature which the subject may be revived. When the question brought up in inc recent ses- sion t encountered the most active opposition based of course on the theory of economy. We observed things rolled along that the gentlemen who opposed payins the teacher decent salary seldom missed am opportunity vote for higher salaries for elective and appontvc offices. just so they political offices
 Tho facts that the teacher has been long and cx- peusycly trained and has acquired certain necessary qualifications and that the elective ap- poiutiyo office holder without especial fitness were not allowed Go cut any figure. Without hesitation salaries amounting to from s35o0 to Si5OO were at- tachcd 10 positions which had been filled by men who could probably command a salary of $500 in any private employment
 But here would like To insert in tho record an extract rom remarks the subject of teach CTS salaries by Dr. CaNton, United States commission of cducation:
 lt is only by very large increases in pay of teach CTS that we may hope 10 improve our schools ap- procahly Small increases of ., 10 20 per cent will moi avail for they will be sufficient hold in the schools men and women Of superior ability.
 Teachers are now paid less for their work than any other class of workers and the in their pay in the last few years has been in keeping with the increase in pay of other workers or with the increase in the of living While the cost of living has increased Approximately so per cent-food So per cent clothing l06 cent drugs lQ3 per cent fuel 35 per cent and house furnishing goods Q per cent-the salaries of teachers have increased only about 12 per cent The purchasing power of the salary of the teacher in public schools s therefore, only about 63 per cent of what it was four years ago.
 Many of the better teachers leaving the schools and their places taken by men and women less native ability less education and culture and frafu 4n6 of 10 3. not filled at all As inevitable result the character of he schools is being lowered just at time when it ought to be raised 10 a much higher standard.
 students now entering the normal schools to pre- pare for teaching not of good quality they formerly, which means.that the standards of the schools must continue to fall. In some normal schools the enrolment is far less than in former years.
 "rhe only remedy is largely pay for teachers. If school boards legislators and county and city councils would immediately announce the policy of doubling the average salary of teachers within the next five years and Of adding loss than SO per cent more within the ten years following the expiration Of this period that at the end o fifteen years the average salary of public school teachers would be not less than S15O0- about one and half times larger than they receive at prcscut-and then take steps for carrying out this policy. much good would be accomplished thereby at once.
 Such policy and such prospect would attract to the schools more men and women of superior ability and would hold them. working contentedlv and there Fore prouaby for tho children and the public welfare Such rcrcse n salary should carry with it an increase
 A the school term, which Is now less than 160 days
 "Fo those who are not acquainted with past condi- Hons and who have given the matter no intelligent thought the increase recommended may seem large but tn fact it s not lt would in most states mean a range of salaries from Si000 to SS000 No person who IS ht to take the time and money and opportunity of the children of this great democratic republic for Inc purpose of fitting them for life for making liv- ns and For Vrtuous citizenship should be asked 10 work For less than Sio00 year in any community or n any stue No one who is unworthy Of this minimum salary is fitted 70 do this work and no such person should be permitted Co waste the time and money or tho children and Co frucr avay their opportunity for education.
 Tt is not for the sake of Inc teachers that tbis policy is advocated. Schools arc not maintained for the benefit of the teachers If men and women of ab ty arc not willing to teach for the pay offered them they can quit and do something else for a living as hundreds of thousands of the best do It is for the sake Of the schools. tho children and the prosperity of me people and the strength and safety of the nation That the policy is advocated"
 We would call attention to the statement of tbe commissioner that he advocates the policy of better salaries not for the benefit of the teachers but for inc benefit Of thc schools We would compare thai po1ic With that under which official salaries are raised to the skies That is not done for the benefit of inc people or that the offices may be more efficiently, conducted but purely for the benefit of the offce holders and nobody else.