New-York tribune., 1920-04-15
1000 Teachers
Resent Charges
OF 'Slush FUND.-
Denounce Two Credited
With Statements of Intim.
idation Before Estimate
Board; La Cuardia to Aid
Legislators See Hope
Not Increase, but Restora-
ton of Purchasing Power
of Dollar Wanted, Is Plea

four thousand school teachers
crowded the auditorium and two class
rooms Of the Washington Irving High
School yesterday to voice their indig-
nation against charges Of a legislative
"slush fund" and intimidation" of
teachers in behalf of the Lockwood
Donohue salary bill.
Mrs. Edna NJ. Bryant. president of
the Professional Elementary Teachers
Association, and Frederick 2. Lewis,
another teacher, who are credited with
having made the charges at hearing
before the Board of Estimate Monday,
were denounced.
Amid frequent interruptions. F. H.
La Guarda, President of the Board of
Aldermen, counseled the teachers to
direct their fight for increased pay
against "the common enemy" rather
than against members of their own
profession. ~The whole question is
this" Mr.. La Guardia said as the
tumult began. "If the bill comes from
Albany as law, it will be our duty
to provide the money with which to
meet your salary increases. We don't
control the Legislature"
"They want to know what the Mayor
thinks about it," cried teacher.
"How should I know what the Mayor
Think" answered Mr.. La Guardia.
Laughter followed.
How can We remove Senator Sage -
asked another.
ASK Bill Barnes" shot back Mr. La
Guardia.
Not Hopeless Fight"
you are not engaged in q hopeless
fight the President Of the Board
Of Aldermen went on. "You have public
opinion with you. Don't worry
too much about what you read in the
papers"
What have you done for the teach
ers?" man demanded.
81 have done all I can replied Mr..
La Guarda. "And am still with the
teachers in their campaign, but you
everything under existing circum-
stances. I DOM consider that fair
question, anyway" he added.
"Now, if you want any more infor-
nation, III give it. to you," Mr.. La
Guardia concluded.
vote of thanks was rendered Mr.
La Guardia.
Borough President Curran told the
teachers that "such statements as
those made by teachers before the
Board Of Estimate concerning. 'slush
fund carry with them their own refu-
tation." He assailed the Board of
Education for its "late proposals" Of
salary schedules, which he viewed as
inadequate, and announced his support
of the Lockwood -Donohue bill with
out compromise"
Jacob Theobalds principal of Public
School SO, who opened the meeting,
said: eve are here to protest against
the subtle insinuations that teachers
sush s fund You 1ase tesehers
s750,000 to the war work campaign
and now you are charged with raising 4
100000 fund to advance legislation in
your own behalf.
Asks Dollar Be Restored
we have seen our profession be-
Titled into a job, and we are re-
minded that if we don't like st. we
can look for another Sob The teachers
Of New York City have not asked for
an increase in salaries. and they do
not ask for an increase now"
After a protracted silence, he held
up o0-cent piece. "This is a dollar"
he added significantly, whereupon the
suspense was broken bv applause.
e are ASKING tnAt the 1914 pur-
chasing power of the dollar be restored.
A further patchwork system is now
proposed by the Board of Education.
The sums asked by the teachers are
apparently geous be-
cause the neglect has been outrage
ous!" The audience interrupted again
to cheer
Not even the Lockwood -Donohue
bill will restore the salaries of 1914" "
the speaker said.
A "silent drama" Of painted placarcs
was offered by representatives of the
teachers Of Richmond Borough. There
Was No Slush," There Was No Coerc-
ion," "No Compromise" 1--WE Are for
the Lockwood Dononue Bill" "Vote ::
523 to Against" mo Weakening
Here" the placards read.
Legislators Wire Encouragement
Harold Campbell, president of the
Brooklyn Teachers Association, who
was chosen permanent chairman of the
main meeting, read telegram from
New York legislators in Albany, which
said the New York delegation in the
Legislature was standing unitedly be-
hind the ockwood-Donohue bill. 1t