The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-29

! ganiZation, we would state that we re-
| greet your apparent misconceptlon OF
a matter which is of vital concern to
the rest of the community as well as
TO the teachers. We regret still more
| deeply, however. that YOU should mis-
lead the public by your article.
The Memphis Teachers association
| Is affiliated primarily with the Amer
lean Federation OF Teachers, which, in
| turn, is affiliated with the American
RECREATION OF Labor We concur in the
opinion of Acting Superintendent Nor
tenson, of Chicago, that the Ameri-
can Federation OF Teachers stands for
| the highest and best In education to-
day Otherwise we would not De
| members.
lis, Democracy in Education, Educa-
ton for Democracy The American
Federation of TeSchers believes in the
highest efficiency in teaching, in the
whole hearted, intelligent cooperation
OF the teacher in all school problems,
and in compensation commensurate
with the value of the service a teacher
renders.
Under the broad banner Of the fedora
ton are enrolled thousands of teachers
in every section OF the country. Among
its members are numbered many cor
lege professors and normal instructors,
as well as teachers in the ranks. DIR.
John Dewey, professor of philosophy
OF Columbia university, at a mass meet
ing In New York city called by the
American Federation of Teachers, ex-
pressed his hearty Endorsement OF the
movement. His address was afterward
published under the title, Professional
Organization of Teachers"
II is a known fact that lawyers, doc
tors, merchants, bankers and other
workers have their organizations. Be-
cause most teachers are not lawyers,
doctors fnarphnnfG ha Dlara 70
not eligible to belong to any of these
organizations. They are employees,
however, laborers with heart and hand
and brain. Our association recognized
this fact realized their weakness and
ineffectiveness when standing alone,
and believed that their opportunities
for constructive work in the educational
world would be greatly increased by
their affiliation with the American
Federation of Teachers and Athe Amer
lean Federation of Labor The teachers
have, therefore, Joined hands with
these, their co-workers.
1t is also our belief that we can CO.
operate with the public and patrons
OF the schools far more effectively than
would be possible II we had no organi-
cation. To say that the teachers are
organized against the public we con-
slider a misstatement Of the facts in
the case.
In the last analysis, the legitimate
interests of the teacher and those of
the community, OF which she is a part,
are identical. Any injustice, be 1t in
regard to compensation or conditions
Of teaching, which initiates against her
welfare, naturally and necessarily mill
tates against the welfare of the schools
and the community. Likewise, what
ever justly benefits the teachers fl
nancially or professionally, also bene-
fits the schools and the community.
II is, therefore. inconceivable that she
should desire to be organized against
the community, and also quite impos-
sible that she could carry out such q
desire without also organizing against
herself.
As a matter of fact, any teacher who
is worthy of the name has keen sense
of the responsibility of her position.
The right kind of a'teacher--and there
should be no others--is probably often
second only to the parents of a child
in her overwhelming desire for his well
fare and in her untiring efforts in
bringing about his highest physical
mental and moral development.
COMMITTEE, MEMPHIS
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
Carlotta Pittman. Chairman.