The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-28
MAYOR APPEALS FOR
PAY FOR TEACHERS


The city schools made their appeal
for an increase OF their fund last
night before the finance committee
considering the 1920 city budget. The
schools presented total budget for
the present year OF s153,65G This is
an increase of $8s.1ls over the
school budget for 1919, OF this in
crease $l05.666 provides for a boost
in salary of teachers and janitors
while $1,000 is for additions to the
force and increase in teacher grades
Mayor George Ainslie presented the
appeal OF the schools, He stated
that il was one OF the most important
matters before the committee. Thefe
are forty schools in Richmond, with
nearly 1909 students. ana the mayor
urged that the preservation OF the
school property ana Tire welfare of
Richmonds future citizens be given
due consideration.
The mayor stated that he realized
that it was q big budget for the
schools, but that 'he had been
thoroughly through il with the school
board and that he did not see where
another dollar could be cut off The
teachers salaries are very far out of
of proportion with the rising cost OF
living and much of the school prop
erty is in delapidated condition
and demands Immediate repairs II the
property is to be saved to the city.
BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
The budget provides for $4,000 for
for maintenance of. buildings. while
l..- in
fuel. phones manual training sup
plies. school supplies. and text books
". Floyd Keams. chairman of the
school board, made the opening APP
peal on the part OF the board. He
said that il was plain business
proposition to save the school build
ings. He brought the needs of Rich
+ mond's children very much to the
heart of the committee
Chairman Reams introduced Wal
ker Cottrell, another member of the
board MIR. Cottrell itemized the ap~
preparations needed for each school
in Tho city. Repairs on some of the
schools runs as high as 81 900 while
others only call for $4,000. Many OF
the schools need painting on the out
side. while others need painting on
the interior. The toilet conditions in
p many schools is very unh ealthy, nc-
cording TO his statement
Although he did not make a direct
appeal for any new schools Mr. Cot
trel said that other buildings are
needed He told of the crowded CON
ditions It John Marshall high school.
where pupils actually walk over one
another. Classes are held in the hal.
there, while every available inch is
used. Many schools are packed to
the walls
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
J. II. Binford presented the appeal
OF the teachers for Increase in sal.
airy. He said that Richmond's teach
ers are not receiving proper compen-
sation Practically Il fifteen per cent
increase fs being asked for. Commit
tees from the PRINCIPALS and teachers
associations were in attendance to
present the appeals OF their rcspec-
tive bodies
TTtAFFORD PRESENTS FIGURES
! Director Of Public Utilities Trafford
also addressed the finance commit
tee on the needs of his department.
He went into estimated expenditures
for 1920 in detail
Mr.. Trafford told the committee that
the city lost money on the water de-
partment last year. When asked why
= this was he said that the rate is too
to big consumers while the small
. consumer pays hts way. He said that
, this condition was reversed in the case
OF gas. where the small user does not
, pay expenses while big consumers of
gas make UP for the deficit
Last year the operation Of the wa
ter department cost the city s24.S20
surplus from the sale OF gas. this
amunting TO $l2S.725 The electric
department showed neither a surplus
or deficit However estimation is not
made for the use or electricity in
lighting city streets or public build
ings. Expenditures in the department
OF public works for 1919 was 1.3aS =
sSl while the income amounted to 81 -
4S7.S3S. a difference OF s8s.f5i.
Director Trarord liz asking for in g
orease in his budget to take care of
increase OF salaries. The payroll and
force increase amounts To sl02. 570.
The increase OF force Is caused by
the acquisition OF the gas plant on
the northside. Rent will also be paid
on this plant until April when the
, rity officially takes tt over The old
force at this plant is being kept in
operation.
A total OF $40, 900 900 cubic feet OF
gas was used in 1919 However,
Richmonders will use l ,o69 100 cubic
feet OF gas in 1870, according to es-
timations. This provides for n greater
, force.
The advance in the price OF all ma
terials used by the department also
is causing the request for an advance
, In appropria tons. The two gas
, holders will be painted this year,
calling for an outlay OF $4,000 Other
: painting will be done at the gas
houses that will cost Sl,lo0.