Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
SCHOOL TEACHERS
SALARIES AND
AMERICAN!SM

Inc JOluk ucSllIS VI luC OCnsO
Board of Education and School Di-
rectors at Burlington was held to
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 material increase
in salary.
We are fully aware that there has
been change in the purchasing pow
er OF the dollar.
1t is not essential at this time to
find all the causes that have nro-
duced this result. 1t is the fact that
faces our teachers and ourselves.
BY 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
ing 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
forlnity in change in all compensation
if we are to avoid the calamity of
national upheaval.
Under the pre-war condition there
were lam antagle inequalities OF COM
pensation. We know that we have
other burdens for the people to carry.
We know that the 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 it 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 conh-
dent that an investigation conducte ed
by men competent by record of SER
vice wi1l bring the needed light AID
remedy for the correction Of the old
and new Irregularities Of remunera-
ticnr - 'a'
The method OF change will not hurt
the people, it will not hinder produc-
tion; it will no. kYT industrial life,
an dit will predicate all its conclusions
en- the fitness for service for every
man for the job or of1ce-elin1inating
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
broader problems ia to satisfy our
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 a square deal.
1t 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
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.
1t has a dependability of action. 1t
will not run away. 1t cannot easily
be stampeded.
The teachers have not struck for
higher salaries and they are not
spreading unrest doctrines. They
know the great power of their inhu-
ence, not only on the pupils who in
few years will be the citizens of the
state and country, but also the great
potency of their attitude in forming
the public opinion of the family and
community.
1t is for us and for all good, and
loyal Americans to recognize the pow
er of our Schools and the high value
of our teachers ideals.
We must not permit continuance
Of this inequality Of remuneration that
places each teachers ideals in jeo-
pardy.
RO--t'A
by pleading existing contracts or
change of tax rate, for that would
merely feed the repressed spirit Of
rebellion and unrest.
Our teachers are not bomb throw
ers, or anything but the highest type
of humanity, but loyalty is hard to
maintain against the insistent de-
lnands of the body for ample raiment
a~d other needs such as could be pro-
VII I'd with the pay in other fields oi
service. Loyalty can live and even
thrive under adversely, provided it is
not subjected to the sickcning thought
of unfairness and lack of apprecia-
ton.
This is not carelessly set forth. /
is a careful statement of facts as they
exist.
We know that Vermonters are
genuine Americans; that they stant
for q SQUARE deal. and for maintainini