Evening star., 1920-03-21

waNat an expense OF
moro than s2s. 600. .o0o. .ooo-
ito make tho world safe for democ-
racy" It has been neglecting the ono
real safeguard Of democracy at home.
This neglect reaches into every home
and BODIES Ill for the future Of this
country. in the judgment of states
men and educators.
King Albert said that our soldiers
won victory for civilization because
our educational system had taught
them what they were fighting for
Through an Americanization COM
paign political leaders hope to mini
mize after-war dangers OF fmmigra-
tion from the impoverished nations
OF Europe. where centuries of subjec-
tion have bred a spirit Of protest and
distrust, which blazed forth while the
point to the schoolhouses dotting the
entire map OF the United States as
! the surest safeguards of American
institutions.
Americas future is in the hands OF
the children OF today. They must be
thrilled with an appreciation Of
American ideals. inspired by the
glorious example Of illustrious lead
ers, warned by examples culled from
history of peoples who have suffered
physical, moral. social and educa-
tional decay. It is in the schools that
they are prepared for this sacred
trust of carrying forward all that
the nation has stood for and fought
for in every war in which 1t engaged.
Teachers Starved Out.
But as the eager-faced children come
crowdinE to these schools they see
are not teachers. The teachers
haven't struck; they are being locked
out, and starved out. Teachers have
to live 365 days in the year. There
fore the teacher who gets $3.50 year
is receiving just $2.06 a day, which
is not a living wage for ditch digger
or any one else. not to mind a young
woman who in character. education
and dress must hold the confidence of
each father and mother who intrust
to her the molding Of their precious
children, who are to be mothers and
| the statesmen Of the future.
The United States commissioner Of
education after a canvass Of all the
states has found that there are 49,
279 schools closed because of lack
Of teachers. and 41.s0o schools taught
by teachers characterized as below
standard. but taken on temporarily
in the emergency" The largest short
ages are: Kentucky. 2250; Texas.
2.O55; Virginia. 1000: Georgia. 1.500;
North Carolina. 700. and Iowa. 500.
Substandard teachers are reported
as follows: Texas. 1000; Virginia.
$500; Alabama. $500; Georgia. 5000:
Illinois. 1900; Kentucky, 1,1oo; New
York, LOO: South Carolina, 1000.
The salary of $3.50 suggested above
as being not a living wage is. in
fact, well above the average. 1t is
estimated that there are $780, teach
ing positions in the public schools Of
the United States. In 1918 the aver
age salary of all elementary and sec
ondary teachers was $S35-in Wiscon
average salary of 1921 high school
teachers in sixteen states and the
District of Columbia was $1.031 and
Of the 141.1s9 elementary teachers In
the same states 1t was s606.
Average Salaries Paid.
A study of rural school teachers
salaries, taking the salaries of in
dividual teachers in three counties of
each state in the Union. with returns
from forty-seven states. has just been
completed. It shows the average
salaries of 1.2o6 man teachers in rural
schools (includink high schools) and
including principals is $711.6S. OF
the 7,0SS woman teachers tho average
salary is $629.76. OF the total 1924
white men and women teaching in
rural schools the average salary is
$641.67.
Regarding the colored teachers the
record Is much worse. The average
salary for colored teachers is $360.96.
The minimum annual salary for COL
ored women is $s3. and for colored
men It is $210. The minimum salary
for white men is $685. per year and the
minimum annual salary for white
women is 1927. The minimum average
for all of the rural teachers in any one
state is 1854 and the maximum
average salary for all rural teachers
from a whole state is $1,o26
One does not have to go many miles
from the shadow of the Capitol to get
some Of these minimum figures.
Public officials and members of
Congress, the educational authorities
throughout the states are alarmed at
this condition that threatens the edu-
cational system Of the country-for
the conditions are certain to be worse
even than they are today. Here is
what those who have the education of
the children of this country at heart
face:
First-A present shortage Of teach
ers. with 1920 schools closed because
the teachers have been starved out.
and many thousands Of children forced
to lose q year Of school life.
Second-An increasing shortage of
teachers. because moro and more are
being drawn into moro profitable en-
ployment.
Third-The teaching Of Impression
able young minds intrusted to teach
ers who are below the standards in
training and sometimes in character
because no others can be had-h
Al 800 schools.
Fourth-No replenishment of the
present teaching force in sight. be-