Arizona republican., 1920-03-14

The Arizona Congress of Mothers - Sill hold an executive board meeting -on Monday, April ,. This will be the first regular meeting called after the annual conventions of the congress and Parent Teachers associations, which were held in this city on Tues day. Following the convention the board held a brief session at which time department chairmen were elected Mrs. Charles Howe was chosen to head the child hygiene de- partment; Mrs. Harry Hancock, home economies; Mrs. F. A. Woodward. IT. brary and loan papers; Miss Gilchrist, juvenile court and probation; Mrs. F A Beane, Miss Amanda Zellas, kinder garten.
 The conference was one of the most interesting of the sixteen annual con- Ventions held by the congress. It took a decided stand on many of the inn portant issues and there was much discussion relative to that much dis cussed question-teachers' salaries. In her address Mrs. J. c. Norton, the president, gave prominence to the matter.
 Just at present a disaster is facing the educational system of the land in
 
 low salaries paid in comparison with the high cost of living. When 14- Near-old boy, whose teacher pleads with him to remain in school, can answer truthfully, I can earn more money right now than you do with all Nour education, why should I be edu- cated| there is something radically wring." said Mrs. Norton
 Schools are being closed in many parts Of the country because there are ho teachers to be found for them while second and third rate teachers arc molding our children's minds and characters instead Of the best, which we should have. simply because the teachers salaries have not kept pace with the cost of living
 The Literary Digest says that in the geographical district which en- braces Chicago and Cleveland. head bakers receive s3e3 per year more than clefnentsry teachers; blacksrniths sSso and machinists s113s more. A Ia ole is published giving the compari- sons Of wages in Montclair N. J., be- ginning with plumbers and steam ttters at S6-50 a day. while sixth in line Is senior high school teachers '@-ls. down to fifteenth in line, ele- nlentary teachers. s3.30. and twen- tieth were found eighteen women teachers who receive s2.39 day.
 What kind of teachers arc attra cted so the profession under such circum- stances2 What kind of teaching can be expected when the teacher must not only live on a low scale but must do other work outside of school hours and Tn vacation time to eke out her sup port draining her physical strength and giving her no time or oppor- f1nity to enter into the life of the community or take advantage of any mental stimulus for herself
 "A teachers salary should be such tbaf she may be happy in her work hold the respect of the community and have opportunities for needed relaxa- ton and recreation. and for advanced study of her profession. If there were Parent Teachers association in every school. this matter could prob ably be adjusted locally and satisfac- torily by molding the opinion of the community Boards of education are generally anxious to do for the school what the taxpayers desire and are willing to pay for. We would suggest that the various associations made a study of this matter in their districts find what needs to be done and do it
 Another thing we are standing for in relation to the schools is the estab- 'ishment of kindergartens. We were instrumental in getting a Kindergarten law passed by the last state legislature which has led to an increase in the F5Hmber of kindergartens in the state. We believe, with pr. Claxton. that a child who is deprived of this real