New-York tribune., 1920-02-26
Wage Demands
OF Teachers to
Undergo Probe
Board of Education Also
Orders an Investigation
of Causes of Shortage
in Instruction Forces
Inquiry to Begin at Once
George Ryan, Mrs. Russell
and Joseph Yeska Named
Committee for Survey

Investigation of the teacher shortag,
in this city and of the reasons fo
salary increase demands will be insti
tuted tomorrow by committee O
three of the Board Of Education, th'
board, sitting us a committee Of tn,
whole, decided last night.
On Monday the first sessions with
committees from the Board Of Estimate
and Apportionment, the Board of Ex
amincrs, the Board of superintendent
and representatives of the local teacher
organizations will be held.
Authority for the investigation was
obtained by Pres dent Aiming S. Prall
Of the Board of Education from State
Commissioner John II. Finley, who tele.
graphed Mr.. Prall on Tuesday that the
stay of the school survey issued last
October by the Commissioner would
not prevent an Investigation relative
TO the teacher shortage and the salary
Increase proposals.
Committee Meets Tomorrow
The Board of Education will be rep
resented in the Investigation by George
). Ryan, chairman of the committee :;
Mrs. Ruth F. Russell and Joseph
Yeska. President Prall suggested that
TINS committee meet tomorrow to make
plans for the survey, and that they 70
into "the causes and reasons for the
exaggerated reports of teacher short
age" and salary increase agitation.
II do not think this shortage is due
80 much to question of pay, as has
been reported" Mr.. Prall said. at is
true that the teachers plight is not a
satisfactory one, but l think it is due
largely to more attractive conditions in
other lines of work" The Board of
Supcrintendents, he added had done
"absolutel l,y nothing toward arriving at
a remedy"
Mr.: Somcrs urged that the investga-
ton be made without pre- judice or pas
sion. Mr.. PralPs suggestion that the
state Legislature be asked to aid in the
Investigation met with a protest from
Mr.. Somers.
Mr.. Prall assented to Mr.. Somers's
suggestion and vote was taken to ap-
point committee and proceeded with
the Investigation. AS tentative propo-
sltlon Mr. Yeska advised that the teach
crs' , y be increased so that no teacher
would receive less than $1,000 year.
$500 Minimum Urged
Mr. Prall thought favorably of that
amount for beginning teachers, but Mr.
Somers wanted minimum of 81 500
made up Of Increases as per salary in
crease schedules and bonuses unit such
time as the cost of living returns to a
normal basis. No action was taken on
these suggestions.
A retirement plan, based on old age
or disability for the employees Of the
Department Of Education other than
the supervising and teaching force,
was approved by the Board. =.
The plan provides for retirement
for age after thirty years service. a..
half pay. The employee during his
or her service would contribute to the
retirement fund and the cit would
contribute to the pension fund The
plan embraces janitors and elevator
men.
The Board approved a recommends
ton of the Board Examiners and the
perintendent of Schools that three
additional examiners, to be knows as
assistant exam ners." be a,pniD-e,l
at salaries of $4,000. The members of
the Board of Examiners receive $4,000
Application of D. E. Connors, coz
tractor for the construction of the New
.ol @ileh School on bid of $794 coo
to be released from carrying out the
CONTRACT was refused by the board.
Similar action was taken in the re-
quest for release by James Macarthur.
contractor for the construction of
~ llc School So Queens, who bid
S523, 900. Macarthur claimed that he
would lose $31 900 on his contract.